Handbook on the Prophets

The prophetic books of the Bible contain some of the most difficult passages in the entire Old Testament. Handbook on the Prophets provides a thorough and insightful introduction for students of Old Testament prophetic literature. Robert Chisholm guides readers through the important and often complex writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Minor Prophets, examining the content, structure, and theological message of each book. Rather than attempting to provide a detailed verse-by-verse commentary, this handbook focuses on the prevailing themes and central messages of the prophetic books. It considers how the message of the prophets would have been heard in their respective historical communities and the prophets' continuing importance for contemporary study."An excellent contribution. . . . [Chisholm] has provided an accessible commentary that offers an overview of the message of the biblical text with sensitivity to the historical context of the prophet."--Mark J. Boda, Review of Biblical Literature"An accessible introduction of the prophetic books for those who desire a better understanding of the message of the prophets. . . . [Chisholm's] discussion of the context of the prophetic books is very helpful."--Claude Mariottini, Review & Expositor"An extremely useful tool for serious study of the Old Testament. . . . Commentaries of this nature and especially of this quality not only bridge the chasm between the technicalities of scholarship and the practical situations of preaching, teaching, and worship in churches, but also begin to disturb the status quo in which the use of and reliance upon translations and paraphrases has dulled the church's sense of responsibility toward the study of the Hebrew text. This is one of the most praiseworthy aspects of Chisholm's work. . . . Chisholm deserves much praise for the extent and depth of his commentary."--J. C. Lubbe, Old Testament Essays"Chisholm proceeds chapter by chapter through each prophetic book (as well as Lamentations and Daniel) and provides an often-detailed summary of its contents plus an analysis of literary themes, linguistic notes, and occasionally historical contexts."--Tyler Mayfield, Religious Studies Review