Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets

Following the Hebrew canon, the author offers a basic introduction, which includes critical issues such as authorship, unity, dates of composition and revision, and structure. Drawing upon current scholarship, Dr. Nogalski shows how these issues are relevant to the theological themes and movements that help characterize the text and hold meaning for us. The last decades have seen many changes when it comes to the study of the four Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the book of the Twelve). Among others, these changes have identified a greater role for the prophetic scroll - not merely the prophetic character - as a vehicle for conveying the prophetic message. Nogalski's introduction to the prophets invites modern readers to hear these scrolls through the processes that shaped them, to recognize the thematic threads that traverse them, and to react to the words that confront religious and ethical complacency, that speak truth to power, and that offer hope to the oppressed. Each chapter will include a brief bibliography for further reading and discussion questions to help students focus on key concepts.

Following the Hebrew canon, the author offers a basic introduction, which includes critical issues such as authorship, unity, dates of composition and revision, and structure. Drawing upon current scholarship, Dr. Nogalski shows how these issues are relevant to the theological themes and movements that help characterize the text and hold meaning for us.

The last decades have seen many changes when it comes to the study of the four Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the book of the Twelve). Among others, these changes have identified a greater role for the prophetic scroll – not merely the prophetic character – as a vehicle for conveying the prophetic message. Nogalski’s introduction to the prophets invites modern readers to hear these scrolls through the processes that shaped them, to recognize the thematic threads that traverse them, and to react to the words that confront religious and ethical complacency, that speak truth to power, and that offer hope to the oppressed.

Each chapter will include a brief bibliography for further reading and discussion questions to help students focus on key concepts.

"James Nogalski's Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets builds on recent discussions of the prophetic literature as scribal curriculum designed to foster intellectual and spiritual depth regarding the prophetic message "from the time of the kings of Assyria" through the Persian period (Neh 9:32 CEB). Each of the four scrolls plays a distinctive part in this curriculum. Nogalski's treatment of each scroll offers new lenses to see the extent that chronology shapes the Hebrew prophets, to hear the theological debates and affirmations that led to the scrolls' formation over time, and to recognize the outlines of how the shaping process unfolds in each scroll." -- From back cover