Popular Commentary of the Bible: Old Testament : the poetical and the prophetical books

The Popular Commentary of the Bible was authored by Paul Edward Kretzmann and published in the early 1920s by Concordia Publishing House. Kretzmann, a prominent Lutheran theologian and educator, designed this series to provide a comprehensive, scholarly yet accessible resource for laypeople and pastors within the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. At a time when biblical commentaries were often either overly technical or purely devotional, Kretzmann sought to bridge this gap by offering historical context, doctrinal explanation, and practical application rooted in confessional Lutheran theology.

The poetical and prophetical books volume reflects the formal, academic aesthetic common to early 20th-century religious publishing, featuring sturdy binding and a utilitarian layout intended for frequent study. The work was well-received within its intended denomination, eventually becoming a staple in many parsonages and church libraries for decades. Its enduring influence stems from Kretzmann's commitment to presenting the biblical text as the inspired word of God, a stance that solidified the commentary's role as a foundational text for conservative Lutheran biblical study throughout the mid-20th century.