The Twelve Prophets (Vol. 1): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah (Berit Olam series) (Volume 1)

There is generally no common material that binds together the works of the individual prophets that comprise the Twelve, but through Sweeney's commentary they stand together as a single, clearly defined book among the other prophetic books of the Bible. The Book of the Twelve Prophets is a multifaceted literary composition that functions simultaneously in all Jewish and Christian versions of the Bible as a single prophetic book and as a collection of twelve individual prophetic books. Each of the twelve individual books - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi - begins with its own narrative introduction that identifies the prophet and provides details concerning the historical setting and literary characteristics. In this manner each book is clearly distinguished from the others within the overall framework of the Twelve. By employing a combination of literary methodologies, such as reader response criticism, canonical criticism, and structural form criticism, Sweeney establishes the literary structure of the Book of the Twelve as a whole, and of each book with their respective ideological or theological perspectives. An introductory chapter orients readers to questions posed by reading the Book of the Twelve as a coherent piece of literature and to a literary overview of the Twelve. Sweeney then treats each of the twelve individual prophetic books in the order of the Masoretic canon, providing a discussion of each one's structure, theme, and outlook. This is followed by a detailed literary discussion of the textual units that comprise the book. For centuries people have turned to the Hebrew Bible to hear the life-giving words of God's everlasting covenant. Berit Olam: Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry shares the riches of this message with all who seek to hear it. Twenty-four volumes are projected for the series. Anticipate one volume in the series each spring and fall.-- This series reflects the latest developments in a relatively new method of biblical study: literary criticism.-- The authors approach the books of the Hebrew Bible as literary works, recognizing that the stories and poetry can be better appreciated if one is acquainted with the techniques whereby the ancient Hebrew authors told stories and wrote poems, as well as the strategies that modern readers use to understand them.-- The contributors represent a variety of religious traditions, and theoretical approaches.-- The authors comment on the text of the Hebrew Bible but they refer primarily to the New Revised Standard Version when referring to a modern translation.-- The volumes in Berit Olam contain commentary only; the complete biblical text is not included.Through Sweeney's commentary the individual books of the Twelve stand together as a single, clearly defined book among the other prophetic books of the Bible. This Two-volume Set Is A Literary Commentary Of The Book Of The Twelve Prophets. Building Upon The Author's Previous Work On The Structure And Literary Coherence Of The Book Of Isaiah, It Attempts To Read The Book Of The Twelve As A Distinctive Literary Work With Its Own Structure, Themes And Theological Or Ideological Perspective. In Addition, It Treats Each Of The Twelve Minor Prophets As A Literary Entity Unto Itself As Well As A Component Unity Of The Larger Book Of The Twelve. V. 1. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah -- V. 2. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Marvin A. Sweeney ; David W. Cotter, Editor ; Jerome T. Walsh, Chris Franke, Associate Editors. A Michael Glazier Book. V. 1. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah -- V. 2. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. This commentary views the Song of Songs as a collection of love poems that pays tribute to mutual love, and it carefully examines features of Hebrew poetry in order to uncover the delicacy of their expression. It is unique in the attention that it gives to the obvious feminine perspective of the poems and to their ecosensitive character. Whether it is the woman in awe of the strength and splendor of her lover or the man praising her physical charms, the descriptions all call on elements from the natural world to characterize the feature being described. The Twelve Prophets, Volume 1 Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction For Further Reading Hosea For Further Reading Joel For Further Reading Amos For Further Reading Obadiah For Further Reading Jonah For Further Reading Hosea is the first book in both the Masoretic and Septuagint versions of the Book of the Twelve.