Book excerpt: No other reference gets to the heart of the Old Testament as efficiently as The Holman Old Testament Commentary. When you've got the time, this series offers a detailed interpretation based on the popular NIV text. When time is short, this series delivers an essential understanding of the Old Testament with unsurpassed clarity and convenience. Pastors, lay Bible teachers and others who find their subject material rich and challenging - but their preparation time running out - will be informed and inspired by this approach to Old Testament scholarship which includes: The main idea - a brief yet accurate statement about the purpose, meaning, and importance of the Bible book under discussion, Quick quotes - comments from noted writers and theologians suitable for citing in your own presentation, Succinct summaries - each main theme or lesson summarized clearly and accurately, Details - illustrations, historical facts, grammatical notations, discussion points, teaching plans, and more. Make every minute of prep time more meaningful with The Holman Old Testament Commentary. Book jacket.