The Expositor's Bible: Index is exactly what its catalog subject states: a single alphabetical index to the fifty-volume Expositor's Bible commentary series. Compiled by S. G. Ayres and published in 1905, it contains no expository prose of its own beyond the prefatory matter. The index entries, such as 'Jericho, Character of, Joshua, 133' and 'Jesus Christ, and Adam, Romans, 143-155,' show that each reference points to a specific volume (by biblical book) and page number. The work is thus a finding aid, not a commentary.

The Prefatory Matter: A Window into Editorial Aims

The volume opens with a 'General Preface' by editor W. Robertson Nicoll, who writes from a period of 'exceptionally active work in Biblical criticism.' Nicoll asserts that 'the supremacy and the finality of the Bible are as they were,' and that the ultimate testimony to Scripture's divine origin 'is in the heart of the believer.' This preface, along with introductions by W. H. Bennett (Old Testament) and Walter F. Adeney (New Testament), frames the index as a tool for accessing a series that, while engaging with contemporary criticism, maintains a confessional stance. The catalog subject 'Bible -- Commentaries -- Indexes' does not capture this theological positioning, but the excerpts reveal it clearly.

Index Structure: A Dense Network of Cross-References

The index itself is a single alphabetical list covering topics, persons, places, and Scripture passages. Entries vary in specificity: 'Jeroboam, Son of Nebat, I. Kings, 254-259' is a straightforward subject heading, while 'Jerusalem' receives a long list of subentries such as 'becomes the Capital, II. Samuel, 70' and 'Heavenly, Hebrews, 153.' The index also includes references to non-biblical figures like 'Jerome' with multiple volume and page citations. This structure suggests the Expositor's Bible treated its topics with considerable depth, and the index was designed to help readers navigate across volumes. The catalog subject does not convey the density of these cross-references.

What the Index Reveals About the Commentary Series

By scanning the index entries, one can infer the Expositor's Bible's scope and emphases. For example, 'Jesus Christ' occupies many lines, with subentries ranging from 'and the barren fig tree, Mark, 303-307' to 'and the cities of refuge, Joshua, 334-336.' This indicates a typological or thematic approach that connects Old and New Testament passages. Similarly, 'Jerusalem' entries cover historical, prophetic, and eschatological dimensions. The index thus functions as a map of the series' interpretive concerns. However, the excerpts do not reveal the commentary authors' individual arguments, only the topics they addressed. The catalog subject 'Bible -- Commentaries -- Indexes' is accurate but understates the index's role as a guide to a multi-volume theological project.

Readers approaching this index should recognize it as a reference tool, not a standalone work. It is best used alongside the Expositor's Bible volumes themselves, as the entries provide only page numbers, not summaries. The prefatory material offers context for the series' theological commitments, but the index itself is purely functional. For those studying early twentieth-century British biblical scholarship, this volume provides a useful entry point into a major commentary set.