Fortress Press

The Hermeneia commentary series seeks to offer authoritative interpretation of the earliest texts of the biblical books and other literature closely related to the Bible.

The name Hermeneia, from the Greek, has a rich background in the history of biblical interpretation as a term for the detailed, systematic exposition of a scriptural work. The series, like its name, carries forward this old and venerable tradition. The name also avoids a long descriptive title and the inevitable acronym, or worse, an unpronounceable abbreviation.

Hermeneia is designed to be a critical and historical commentary to the Bible without arbitrary limits in size or scope. It utilizes the full range of philological and historical tools, including textual criticism (often slighted in modern commentaries), the methods of the history of tradition (including genre and prosodic analysis), and the history of religion.

Hermeneia is designed for the serious student of the Bible. It makes full use of ancient Semitic and classical languages; at the same time, English translations of all comparative materials—whether Greek, Latin, Canaanite, or Akkadian—are supplied alongside the citation of the source in its original language. Insofar as possible, the aim is to provide the student or scholar with full critical discussion of each problem of interpretation and with the primary data upon which the discussion is based.

Hermeneia is by design international and interconfessional in the selection of authors; its editorial boards were formed with this end in view. Occasionally the series has offered translations of distinguished commentaries which originally appeared in languages other than English. In time, new commentaries will replace older works in order to preserve the currency of the series. Commentaries are also assigned for important literary works in the categories of apocryphal and pseudepigraphical works relating to the Old and New Testaments, including some from the discoveries at Qumran and Nag Hammadi.

The editors of Hermeneia impose no systematic-theological perspective upon the series (directly, or indirectly by selection of authors). It is expected that authors will struggle to lay bare the ancient meaning of a biblical work or pericope. In this way, the text’s human relevance should become transparent, as is always the case in competent historical discourse. However, the series eschews for itself homiletical translation of the Bible.

The editors are heavily indebted to Fortress Press for its energy and courage in taking up an expensive, long-term project, the rewards of which will accrue chiefly to the field of biblical scholarship.

Explore forthcoming series titles

Standing Order for Hermeneia series

For information about becoming a standing order member, call:
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 328-4648
Canada Toll-Free: 1 (800) 265-6397, ext. 215.

New subscribers to the Hermeneia series receive 30% OFF the retail price of each forthcoming volume of a single testament OR 35% OFF the retail price of each forthcoming volume for both testaments. Each volume will be shipped at the time of publication and billed at your discount level (shipping additional). You may return any book you do not wish to keep within sixty (60) days to receive full credit. Product must be unopened. Volume prices are projected to range between US$33.00 to US$79.00, CAN$49.50 to  CAN$118.50 (GST extra).

Hermeneia Series Editorial Boards

Old Testament Editorial Board
Sidnie White Crawford, University of Nebraska, chair
Paul D. Hanson, Harvard University, emeritus
Thomas Krüger, University of Zurich
Peter Machinist, Harvard University
Andreas Schuele, University of Leipzig
David Vanderhooft, Boston College
Molly Zahn, University of Kansas

New Testament Editorial Board
Harold W. Attridge, Yale University, chair
Adela Yarbro Collins, Yale University
Eldon Jay Epp, Case Western Reserve University
Hans-Josef Klauck, University of Chicago
AnneMarie Luijendijk, Princeton University
Laura S. Nasrallah, Harvard University

Learn more about the series

The Hermeneia series is available digitally through Logos Bible Software!