Faith & Truth Media is hosting a social media giveaway for this volume. Head over to our Instagram or Facebook page to find out how to enter. Giveaway closes Wednesday, April 16.
The Preacher’s Hebrew Companion to Isaiah 40–66, is the latest addition to the Cairn faculty library. Authored by Dr. Bryan Murawski, associate professor in the School of Divinity, this book was released April 1. Its companion, The Preacher’s Hebrew Companion to Isaiah 1–39, also written by Dr. Murawski, was released in August 2024.
Who Is the Primary Audience for this Book?
The Preacher’s Hebrew Companion to Isaiah 40–66, like other books in Hendrickson’s The Preacher’s Hebrew Companion Series, aims to help busy preachers work through the Hebrew text of select biblical passages in order to create better sermons built upon original-language exegesis. Many preachers studied Hebrew in seminary but scarcely use it in the pulpit. This resource helps bridge that gap by offering insights straight from the original language, written by someone who is both a pastor and a scholar.
What Can Readers Expect?
The book handles twelve passages from the latter half of Isaiah. Each chapter offers a fresh translation of that passage, parsing and glossing every word and phrase individually so that the reader can see how the translation comes together. Then, the author gives brief commentary on each Hebrew line. Each chapter ends with a section called “From Text to Sermon,” where Dr. Murawski gives a suggested “Big Idea” summarizing the passage; “Avenues for Illustration and Application;” and an overview of “New Testament Connections.” This section is written with the purpose of helping preachers consider how to take the Hebrew text and make a sermon out of it.
In each case, Dr. Murawski has strived to tie any homiletical advice tightly to the message and voice of the text itself. For example, in Isaiah 44:9–20, a passage that mocks idolatry, he recommends preachers using sarcasm, parody, and humor to match the tone of the text. Some of the illustrations come from the words Isaiah chooses, such as considering what kind of “desirable things” (44:9b) we tend to worship today.
Can Someone Use This Book Who Doesn’t Know Hebrew?
Yes! The subtitle of the book is, “A Selective Commentary for Meditation and Sermon Preparation.” Many lay-people have expressed how beneficial the first volume was to their study of God’s Word, even though they don’t know Hebrew. Though the book does cater to those who know Hebrew, preachers and students of the Bible can benefit from a read of the less technical sections. As Dr. Murawski mentioned, even his 10-year-old son has been reading the comments devotionally in his room at night.
Where Can This Book Be Purchased?
This book is available for purchase through the publisher (Hendrickson), as well as other major retailers such as Amazon and Christianbook. Pastors can also purchase it on Logos Bible software.
