One or two volumes
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Baker Commentary on the Bible
For a one volume commentary on the entire Bible, this book is amazing. Many shorter commentaries spend too much time telling you what you already know. This volume truly helps in areas you might not otherwise understand. Every serious student of the Bible should have this book. Go ahead and buy detailed commentaries on biblical books you are studying, but it is always good to have some discussion of every book of the Bible. This is my choice.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Abridged Edition--2 Volumes
If one volume isn’t enough, then perhaps you want a two volume commentary. The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary is an abridgment of the twelve volume Expositor’s Bible Commentary, which is our recommended multi-volume commentary on the Bible.