The Jps Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy : The Traditional Hebrew Text With the New Jps Translation (Jps Torah Commentary)

Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive and interesting edition.
Review: Deuteronomy is one of the more confusing books of the TaNaKH, but the JPS commentary allows both the first time and learned reader to wade their way through the complicated material. The JPS translation is far and away the best translation available and is faithful to the original Hebrew. I highly recommend this edition above any other that I have read.

Rating:
Summary: Deuteronomy in Depth
Review: So far as I am aware, The JPS Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy (Jeffrey Tigay, JPS, 1996) is the most comprehensive and detailed commentary ever published on Deuteronomy in English. It is close to 600 pages, and provides many levels of material. The primary material is the verse-by verse commentary, and I would estimate close to 90% of the verses have commentary. In many, many cases, numerous individual words or phrases have their own commentary, so sometimes 4 or 5 or 6 separate comments appear on a single verse. These sometimes provide connections to other verses, especially outside Deuteronomy, and regularly give the literal reading of idioms that have been translated non-literally, and provide discussion of difficult words. Other verse comments covers small sections of verse, in effect providing comments on a small block of several verses which form part of a larger section. In addition, there are dozens of introductory pieces for sections of law or other themes. For example in Chapter 15, "Remission of Debts (vv. 1-6)" gives a detailed background, presenting comparison to Mesopotamian and Greek practices, references to the topic in other Books in the Bible, and a discussion of what is not included in the text. These commonly allow the author to view the subject as a whole, explain the purpose and structure of the section, give some historical development into later time periods, provide contrast to other legal codes, explain how this section has been converted into Halakha, and introduce the views of classic commentators, such as Josephus or Maimonides.
Another section of the book is the collection of 33 Excursuses, covering 100 pages. Some are essays on specific things, such as The Shema and Levirite Marriage. Others are more comprehensive, such as "Historical Geography of Deuteronomy", which collects and identifies all the place names, and "The Concept of War in Deuteronomy". Some are extended analysis on a small section, such as "Improper Intervention in a Fight, (25:11-12)".
Next are the footnotes --- close to 100 pages of fine print. Most are on the verse commentaries --- in some cases, more than 100 footnotes on a single chapter's commentary. These provide much more than source citations. There are minority viewpoints, nuances about the translations, punctuation and vocalizations, midrashic treatments, and all manner of side-comments, fine distinctions and exotica.
Nor is this the end of the treasures. There is a comprehensive introductory essay, describing its themes, dating the book, setting forth its role in Jewish tradition and more. There is also a fine glossary and 6 maps.
Even if you never need such depth, it's worth a look just to marvel at how closely Deuteronomy can be examined.