Zephaniah

This essay discusses the key topics for the study of the book of Zephaniah, including structure, authorship, date, central themes, Zephaniah’s relationship with the Book of the Twelve, and the Hebrew Bible. The themes explored include the Day of Yahweh, illicit cult practice, the contrast between corrupt elite classes and a humble remnant, the city, redemption, and restoration. Many of these themes are found in the other Minor Prophets, but they find unique expression in Zephaniah, carefully crafted to convey the prophet’s message. The essay ends with a reflection on how to read Zephaniah—how to make sense of the individuality of the book among the plurality of intertextual connections found within it.

Joel

This essay offers an introduction to the major literary and theological issues of the book of Joel. It shows how an agrarian disaster (locusts and drought) is transformed into a prophecy concerning the nations. The book’s engagement with with earlier texts ( especially those relating to the “Day of Yahweh”) attests to its late origin, and its ending reflects late theological thinking about the relationship between Israel and the nations, portraying Yahweh as the ruler of the whole world. In its final form, the book is shaped by a vague specificity that allows its use and application over a broad period of time.

The Future in the Twelve

This essay discusses the topic of the future within the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. It begins with a review of recent streams of research on the future within the Twelve (messianism, Zion/Jerusalem/nations, Day of Yahweh, apocalyptic) and then outlines the major thematic contours of this topic within this prophetic corpus (conditions of the future, human response, prophetic future, and certainty). The essay concludes by focusing on two key passages (Mic 4–5 and Hag 2:10–23), which show the intersection of past, present, and future within prophecy, marking the prophetic as key to the transformation of the lives of the audience.

Obadiah

Obadiah exemplifies the classic Israelite prophetic tradition. This brief but volatile diatribe encompasses many of the great prophetic themes, such as divine judgment against Israel's enemies, the day of Yahweh, Zion theology, Israel's possession of the promised land, and the kingship of Yahweh. These themes allow Obadiah to transcend time and touch upon some of the modern Middle East's most controversial issues. Its harsh language and pro-Israelite zeal spark debate even today. Through his accurate translation and sympathetic interpretation of what the book meant to its original sixth-century audience, Dr. Paul R. Raabe relates the reader's modern world to that of the ancient Near East. In the reverend Anchor Bible tradition, the commentator provides the contextual framework to make sense of Obadiah's cryptic and often ignored prophetic message. Drawing upon an exhaustive analysis of the books grammar and philology, literary forms and context, religious and social situation, and historical context, Dr. Raabe offers us the most informed and up-to-date commentary available. Scholars, students, clergy, and laypeople will rely on Obadiah for years to come.