MIQRA Institute of Biblical Stud

Sepharim 'al ha-miqra’: Books about the Scriptures (Prophets)

Blenkinsopp, J. A History of Prophecy in Israel. Westminster John Knox, 1996 (279 pp.). Revised and expanded edition of a substantial contribution by a premier Roman Catholic scholar. As the title indicates, attention falls predominantly to historic and tradition milieu. Ambitious in its attempt to cover the social-historical span of the biblical prophetic period—which it does—but quits short of treating the literature’s career as authoritative Scripture. High marks for informative content; an important addition to the serious student’s library, but incomplete as it stands.

Bullock, C. H. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books. Moody, 1986 (391 pp.). A theologically conservative introduction to the Latter (Major and Minor) Prophets by a Wheaton College professor. A history-of-Israel approach (rather than canonical) in an effort to see “the cultural, theological, and historical interrelationships that exist between the canonical prophets.” Includes a general introduction to the prophets (personal and literary) and then proceeds book by book in an attempted historical reconstruction sequence. Reminiscent of H. E. Freeman’s 1968 work by the same title and publisher.

Clements, R. E. Old Testament Prophecy: From Oracles to Canon. Westminster John Knox, 1996 (264 pp.). A welcome collection of essays covering a variety of aspects of the prophetic books. Even-handed treatment ranging from legitimate historical questions to the canonical function of individual narratives. A lucid introductory essay touches on the major movements in academia concerning the Prophets from the last thirty years which later chapters develop more fully. The author capably handles key figures and important ideas in the study of the Bible’s prophetic writings.

Gowan, D. E. Theology of the Prophetic Books: The Death & Resurrection of Israel. Westminster John Knox, 1998 (250 pp.). A theological reading of the Prophets by a Pittsburgh Theological Seminary professor. Focuses on the demise of Israel and Judah in two stages (“The Assyrian Threat and the Death of Israel,” “The Neo-Babylonian Threat and the Death of Judah”) and the hope-filled restoration following. Attempts a mediating historical and canonical “theological explanation” of “what Yahweh. . . was doing in the midst of those events.”

Hamilton, V. P. Handbook on the Historical Books. Baker, 2001 (557 pp.). Theologically conservative guide through the Former Prophets and some of the Writings (Ruth, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah and Esther) by veteran professor at Asbury College. With minimal introduction, guides the reader through each book selectively addressing literary, intertextual, theological, and critical issues along the way in identifying the book’s message. A helpful contribution to the reading of individual books, but neglects the canonical relationships between them.

Howard, D. M., Jr. An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books. Moody, 1993 (394 pp.). An introduction to the Former Prophets and some of the Writings (Ruth, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Esther) by a noted evangelical professor. A passionately textual author introduces the interpretation of historical narrative and applies such to each book. Addresses the obligatory historical-critical issues on the way to interpretive, theological, and canonical issues assisting readers of the text. An accessible resource committed to the purpose of Scripture’s existence–to be read and obeyed–making it an excellent choice.

Kaiser, W. C., Jr. Back Toward the Future: Hints for Interpreting Biblical Prophecy. Baker, 1989 (152 pp.) An introductory guide to interpreting prophecy by well-known author, then dean and professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Discusses issues in Hermeneutics, Biblical Theology, and Practical Theology as these relate to the study of prophecy. Some helpful material in readable presentation, but blurs the crucial differentiation between prophecy as text and prophecy as event, between Prophet as book and prophet as person.

Nelson, R. D. The Historical Books. Abingdon, 1998 (190pp.). In the excellent Interpreting Biblical Texts series. An introduction to the Former Prophets and part of the Writings (Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah) by a Lutheran scholar sympathetic with critical scholarship. Discusses history, historical-critical issues, and methods of interpretation applying each to the corpus and offering rich insights. Introduces the Deuteronomistic History and the Chronicler’s History (Ezra-Nehemiah and Chronicles) highlighting the unity of the Former Prophets, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles. Chapters covering the structure, interpretive issues, plot, and themes of each book further enhance the reader’s interpretation of the text.

Smith, G. V. The Prophets as Preachers: An Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets. Broadman & Holman, 1994 (372 pp.). A former professor at Bethel Seminary examines “how God used the prophets to transform the thinking and behavior of Israelite people.” A kind of rhetorical, theological, historical/sociological study that explores the communications process and dynamics of persuasion used by the prophets. Like many other studies, the confusing of prophet as person and Prophet as book yields a work more helpful to those interested in the former (how to preach like an Amos or Isaiah) than to interpreters of the latter.

VanGemeren, W. A. Interpreting the Prophetic Word. Zondervan, 1990 (545 pp.). A substantial contribution by a Reformed scholar. Divided into The Prophetic Phenomenon in Israel (Part 1), The Message of the Minor Prophets (Part 2), and The Message of the Major Prophets (Part 3). After Part 1, most chapters consist in a discussion of the prophet and his time, literary form and structure, and message, with the last-mentioned among the best contributions. Also includes full chapters on “Summary of Prophetic Motifs” and “Living the Prophetic Word.” Contains many figures (79) and tables (12). Upper college/seminary level.