Although a number of books published by Adventists have dealt with aspects of the Book of Hebrews, almost no Adventist commentaries are available on this important New Testament letter. George Knight must be lauded for having remedied the apparent lack. This commentary is designed to be a user-friendly commentary, the first in a series of similar commentaries. G. Knight has provided his own translation of the Greek text. Following two preliminary sections and an introduction to the Book of Hebrews the author deals with the content of the Letter to the Hebrews in nine major parts and 53 smaller sections, doing an excellent job in interpreting Hebrews for a twenty-first century audience.

Although the commentary is called a devotional commentary, exegetical insights appear in many places. It does not, however, follow the format used in most other commentaries, with verse indications to point out which verse the author is exploring in a given place. This commentary contains no footnotes or endnotes, but a bibliography is supplied on pp. 23-25. References to secondary literature are found in the text itself. Because the commentary is called a homiletical commentary it uses illustrations here and there and has a personal tone in some places. It also focuses on application, has a practical touch, and contains shaded boxes with interesting outlines, explanations, or quotations. However, in the theological sections of Hebrews the practical aspects are not intensively developed. The author seems to like enumerations which are used quite frequently. They contribute to clarity of thought.

The book contains helpful remarks on Hebrews 7, the covenant, the permanency of the law, the Day of Atonement, etc. It discusses some of the difficult issues but is silent on others (e.g., the question of which veil is addressed in Heb 6:19 or how to understand precisely the locations in Heb 9:11-12). But a devotional commentary need not deal with these detailed questions or with the challenges presented by certain Adventist and non-Adventist authors who believe that the Book of Hebrews contradicts the Adventist sanctuary doctrine.

The present reviewer felt that in some minor areas the commentary could be a little more balanced or phrased differently (e.g., the discussion of the old covenant on pp. 146-147, the standard for the final judgment on p. 242, and the food mentioned in Heb 13:9 discussed on p. 246). It may be difficult to follow G. Knight in his suggestion that the “false” placing of the altar of incense in Heb 9:4 was due to the fact “that the author may not have been all that concerned with the exact details because he had more important things to talk about” (p. 152), especially if he was Jewish-Christian writing to a Jewish-Christian audience.

Aside from these minor reservations the commentary is a valuable work. It may prove very helpful for the Adventist community worldwide addressing church members as well as pastors and scholars and strengthening their commitment to their Savior and High Priest Jesus Christ.