Perhaps you have noticed the widespread praise that has been heaped upon this commentary. No doubt, scholars across the spectrum cant deny its success. Not only do many reviewers list it as the best commentary available on Ezekiel, but Ive even seen reviews that say it is the greatest commentary in print on any Old Testament book. After reviewing it myself, its easy to see why scholars are impressed. There are simply no weaknesses in all the categories we expect to be addressed in a major exegetical commentary. What I would like to add to all that press is that I believe pastors can also be greatly enriched by both these volumes Mr. Block has given us on Ezekiel here in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT) series.

Pastors, you will love Mr. Blocks passion for Ezekiel and his prophecy. In addition, you will love his high view of Ezekiels God. Instead of just listing copious facts, of which there is plenty in this commentary, this impressive array of information is marshaled to say something to us about Ezekiel, his prophecy, and his God.

Volume 2 of this fine two-volume set covers chapters 25-48. Theres no introduction as he did a full introduction for the book in volume 1. The commentary is in the same thorough style. For every passage, he gives a translation, a discussion of the nature and design of the passage, commentary on the text, and theological reflection. If you hold to a pre-millennial viewpoint as I do, you may find him a little more nebulous about what the text is predicting for the future at places in these later chapters of Ezekiel. You could grab Cooper in the NAC to compensate if you wanted, but the commentary still gives outstanding exegetical help throughout.

Besides being a seminal academic work, this commentary is easily in the must-have category for pastors. It would be a mistake not to secure your own copy!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255.

There are now quite a few excellent commentaries on the Book of Ezekiel. However, Block's is clearly the best. For length and depth combined with an Evangelical approach, nothing is better. Most of the scholarly interaction can be found in the extensive footnotes. Block provides very helpful comments on structure, grammar, history, literary devices, symbolism and theology. He also has extensive discusses about how Ezekiel fits into the history and message of the cannon as a whole. It has often rightly been said that "no one commentary can do it all," but this two-volume work comes very close.

These commentaries were definitely not what I expected - not for the common layperson. It may be okay for a seminary graduate. They had uncommon words which were unfamiliar to me. I needed a dictionary to understand. I purchased both books, but they are of no use to me.