Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi / Julia M. O'Brien.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

O'Brien, Julia M.

Series:

Abingdon Old Testament commentaries

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Minor Prophets--Commentaries.

Bible.

Bible. Minor Prophets.

Genre:

Commentaries.

Physical Description:

326 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Nashville, TN : Abingdon Press, [2004]

Summary:

The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries provide compact, critical commentaries on the books of the Old Testament for the use of theological students and pastors. The commentaries are also useful for upper-level college or university students and for those responsible for teaching in congregational settings. In addition to providing basic information and insights into the Old Testament writings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful interpretation, to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informed and critical engagement with the biblical texts themselves. The six books found at the close of the Minor Prophets (Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) present distinctive understandings of God, humanity, and the future. This commentary engages those understandings, considers what the books may have meant in the past, and describes how they resonate with contemporary readers. With attention to issues of gender, violence, and inclusivity, O'Brien explores the ethical challenges of the books and asks how faithful readers can both acknowledge the problems these biblical books raise and appreciate their value for contemporary theological reflection.

Contents:

Prophets and Prophetic Books 15

The Prophetic Genre 17

The Twelve or Just Twelve? 19

The Prophets and Ethics 19

Finding Meaning in Ancient Prophecy 21

Introduction: Nahum 23

Literary Analysis 23

Social and Historical Analysis 25

Theological Analysis 27

Commentary: Nahum 31

Superscription (1:1) 31

A God of Power and Might (1:2-10) 35

Yahweh's Response to Evil (1:11-14) 40

The Assault of Nineveh (1:15-2:13 [Heb. 2:1-14]) 43

An Oracle Against Nineveh (3:1-19) 49

Introduction: Habakkuk 58

Literary Analysis 59

Social and Historical Analysis 61

Theological Analysis 63

Commentary: Habakkuk 66

Superscription (1:1) 66

Encounter Between the Prophet and Yahweh (1:2-17) 67

Another Encounter Between Yahweh and the Prophet (2:1-20) 74

Prayer of the Prophet (3:1-19) 80

Introduction: Zephaniah 86

The Problem with Zephaniah 86

Literary Analysis 88

Social and Historical Analysis 91

Theological Analysis 94

Commentary: Zephaniah 96

Superscription (1:1) 96

Coming Punishment (1:2-18) 99

Call to Repentance (2:1-3[4]) 111

Judgment on the Nations (2:5-15) 115

Woe and Salvation to Judah (and the Nations) (3:1-13) 120

Promises of Restoration for Judah (and the Nations) (3:14-20) 125

Introduction: Haggai 131

Literary Analysis 131

Social and Historical Analysis 133

Theological Analysis 137

Commentary: Haggai 139

Disputation over Building (1:1-11) 139

The Community's Response (1:12-15) 144

An Oracle in the Midst of Building the Temple (2:1-9) 147

A Request for a Priestly Ruling (2:10-19) 150

Oracle Regarding Zerubbabel (2:20-23) 154

Introduction: Zechariah 158

Introduction: Zechariah 1-8 162

Literary Analysis 162

Social and Historical Analysis 164

Theological Analysis 166

Commentary: Zechariah 1-8 168

Connecting Zechariah's Work with the Past (1:1-6) 168

Vision 1 Man on a Horse (1:7-17) 173

Vision 2 Four Horns (1:18-21 [Heb. 2:1-4]) 178

Vision 3 Measuring Line (2:1-5 [Heb. 2:5-9]) 182

Oracle to the Exiles (2:6-13 [Heb. 2:10-17]) 184

Vision 4 The Adversary (3:1-10) 187

Vision 5 Lampstand, Olive Trees, and Zerubbabel (4:1-14) 191

Vision 6 Flying Scroll (5:1-4) 196

Vision 7 Flying Ephah (5:5-11) 198

Vision 8 Four Chariots (6:1-8) 201

Oracle Regarding Joshua (6:9-15) 204

Question Regarding Fasting (7:1-7) 207

Past Unfaithfulness (7:8-14) 213

Zion's Future (8:1-8) 217

The Present Situation (8:9-13) 221

Past Contrasted with the Present (8:14-17) 224

Answer Regarding Fasting (8:18-19) 226

Zion's Future (8:20-23) 228

Introduction: Zechariah 9-14 231

Commentary: Zechariah 9-14 234

Yahweh Against the Nations (9:1-8) 234

Yahweh to Save Jerusalem (9:9-17) 237

Yahweh Against the Shepherds (10:1-12) 243

Shepherds of the Community (11:1-17) 247

The Protection of Judah and Jerusalem (12:1-9) 257

The Pierced One (12:10-14) 263

The End of Idolatry and Prophecy (13:1-9) 267

The Final Supremacy of Jerusalem (14:1-21) 275

Introduction: Malachi 285

Literary Analysis 285

Social and Historical Analysis 287

Theological Analysis 288

Commentary: Malachi 290

Superscription (1:1) 290

People and God Argue About Love (1:2-5) 291

Priests and God Argue About Respect (1:6-2:9) 295

People and God Argue About "Profaning the Covenant of the Fathers" (2:10-16) 299

People and God Argue About God's Justice (2:17-3:5) 303

People and God Argue About Scarcity and Abundance (3:6-12) 307

People and God Argue About the Value of Serving God (3:13-4:3 [Heb. 3:13-21]) 310

Closing Statements Connecting the Law and the Prophets (4:4-6 [Heb. 3:22-24]) 315.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 319-326).

ISBN:

0687340314

OCLC:

55066749