Locating Commentaries
Commentaries in the Library:
At Holy Cross, we organize our books using a system called Library of Congress Classification or LCC. LCC is based on the subject of the books. Each letter represents a specific subject. Each subject is broken down into more specific letter sections, each of which is further broken down into number ranges for specific topics. Most call numbers have additional numbers and letters on the end of them, which are used to give each book a unique spot on the library shelves.
Generally:
- Reference books are in the Main Reading Room.
- Call numbers A through G are on the upper (Mezzanine) level.
- Call numbers H through Z are on the lower (Ground) level (with a few exceptions).
- N and TR call numbers are located on the main level in the Visual Arts Wing.
- Oversize books (with a "+" in the call number) are shelved at the end of the normal section for that letter.
You can also watch our video tutorial 
to learn more about how call numbers work. Or, check out the Library of Congress Classification Outline for a detailed breakdown of our call number system.
For Commentaries:
You'll mostly want to look in the BS sections of the library, located on the Mezzanine level of the Dinand Stacks. BS is the section for study of the Bible. Bible commentaries can be found starting around the BS480 section, but the more-specific commentaries that focus on a single book of the Bible, or part of one, start later, around BS680.
Commentaries are ordered by book of the Bible and are mixed in with any other books specifically focused on that part of the Bible (for example, an edition of Genesis 1, a commentary on Genesis 1, and a scholarly book talking about the creation story in Genesis 1, would all be located near each other).
Recommended Biblical Commentaries
What's the Difference?
Every commentary series is different! Here are some things you might consider when selecting the series (plural) you'd like to work with:
- Version -- Which Bible version/translation is used? Note that not all commentaries cover the apocryphal/deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament (Tobit, Sirach, Maccabees, etc.). Be aware that different translations of the Bible, even similar ones, may use different English words to convey the original sense of the text, which may in turn affect the language used in the commentary.
- Approach -- Does the commentary focus on the linguistics? Theology? Historical context? A combination of the above? etc.
- Language -- Some commentaries are easier to use if you have some knowledge of biblical and/or classical languages.
- Depth, detail, coverage -- Commentaries which devote an entire volume to a given book or portion of a book will provide different kinds of information than commentaries which cover the entire Bible in a handful of volumes. Additionally, consider what you'd like to know, and what kind of commentary would be most appropriate for that. To zero in on a couple of specific verses, a detailed line-by-line commentary will be most helpful. But to get a sense of the chapter or book as a whole, a broader commentary could also provide useful perspective.
Suggested Commentaries:
Anchor Bible CommentaryCall Number: [varies]All volumes are located in the Dinand Reference collection in the Main Reading Room, for in-library use only.
Detailed commentary on the various books of the Bible, offering religious/theological as well as historical and linguistic information. The series is broken down into volumes by book or partial book of the Bible. Click the title to see all volumes owned by the HC Libraries.
Hermeneia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the BibleCall Number: [varies]All volumes are located in the Dinand Reference collection in the Main Reading Room, for in-library use only.
A multi-volume commentary series which includes elements such as textual criticism, historical context, and history of religion and tradition in its analysis of each book. Click the title to see all volumes owned by the HC Libraries.
The JPS Bible CommentaryCall Number: [varies]All volumes are located in the Dinand Reference collection in the Main Reading Room, for in-library use only.
A multi-volume commentary series which draws on both traditional and modern scholarship of the Hebrew Bible, incorporating discussion of textual criticism, historical context, and religious significance, side-by-side with the text in Hebrew. Note that the series is still being completed. Click to see all volumes owned by the HC Libraries.
Wisdom Commentary Series: A Detailed Feminist InterpretationCall Number: [varies]All volumes are located in the Dinand Reference collection in the Main Reading Room, for in-library use only.
A multi-volume commentary series which particularly aims to provide commentary from a diverse and modern range of scholars, through a feminist lens. Note that this is a relatively-new and in-progress series, so not all volumes have been published yet. Click the title to see all volumes owned by the HC Libraries.
The New Interpreter's Bible: general articles & introduction, commentary, & reflections for each book of the Bible, including the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books by Call Number: Main Reading Room BS491.2 .I6 1994 v.1-12Publication Date: 1994Located in the Main Reading Room, for in-library use only.
This multi-volume commentary covers the entire NIV and NSRV versions of the Bible, including the Apocryphal books, in 12 sequential volumes. This series also has an index volume.
The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First CenturyCall Number: BS491.3 .J47 2022Publication Date: 2022Located in the Main Reading Room, for in-library use only. A single-volume Bible commentary. Note that this commentary may be less detailed than series which devote an entire volume or volumes to each book of the Bible.
