Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah Through the Centuries The first book devoted solely to the reception history of Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah How have readers through the centuries understood the prophet Hosea s marriage to an unfaithful woman? Does the prophet Joel really speak about a locust invasion, or is he referring to invading armies? How should we understand the harsh rhetoric that Obadiah uses about Judah s neighbor Edom? In Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah Through the Centuries, Bradford A. Anderson provides historical context for these prophetic texts and traditions while offering original insights into their interpretation, use, and impact. Chapter-by-chapter commentary examines the use of these texts in different religious communities, surveys various commentaries and interpretive traditions, and addresses the social and cultural employment of these prophetic works in literature, music, the visual arts, and more. Each prophetic text is introduced by a chapter containing a brief history of interpretation and discussion of key historical, literary issues, theological, thematic, and rhetorical issues, as well as the religious, social, and cultural reception of the prophet and the book. Throughout the text, recurring conversation partners high-light important and interesting trajectories in the afterlives of the prophetic books. Encompassing Christian, Jewish, and modern critical reception, Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah Through the Centuries is an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students working on these prophetic works, and a must-have resource for scholars, clergy, and religious leaders interested in how the prophets have been employed over the millennia.

Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah Through the CenturiesThe first book devoted solely to the reception history of Hosea, Joel, and ObadiahHow have readers through the centuries understood the prophet Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful woman? Does the prophet Joel really speak about a locust invasion, or is he referring to invading armies? How should we understand the harsh rhetoric that Obadiah uses about Judah's neighbor Edom?In Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah Through the Centuries, Bradford A. Anderson provides historical context for these prophetic texts and traditions while offering original insights into their interpretation, use, and impact. Chapter-by-chapter commentary examines the use of these texts in different religious communities, surveys various commentaries and interpretive traditions, and addresses the social and cultural employment of these prophetic works in literature, music, the visual arts, and more.Each prophetic text is introduced by a chapter containing a brief history of interpretation and discussion of key historical, literary issues, theological, thematic, and rhetorical issues, as well as the religious, social, and cultural reception of the prophet and the book. Throughout the text, recurring "conversation partners" high-light important and interesting trajectories in the afterlives of the prophetic books.Encompassing Christian, Jewish, and modern critical reception, Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah Through the Centuries is an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students working on these prophetic works, and a must-have resource for scholars, clergy, and religious leaders interested in how the prophets have been employed over the millennia.

List of Figures xSeries Editors' Preface xiiiAcknowledgments xvIntroduction 1Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah as Part of the Book of the Twelve 5HoseaHosea: Introduction and Overview 11Hosea 1 23Hosea 2 42Hosea 3 57Hosea 4 63Hosea 5 72Hosea 6 79Hosea 7 87Hosea 8 94Hosea 9 104Hosea 10 113Hosea 11 121Hosea 12 131Hosea 13 142Hosea 14 152JoelJoel: Introduction and Overview 161Joel 1 173Joel 2 189Joel 3 215ObadiahObadiah: Introduction and Overview 230The Book of Obadiah: Commentary 244Concluding Reflections 284Glossary and Biographies 286Abbreviations 290Bibliography 293Biblical and Ancient Texts Index 310General Index 319