Prophecy and the Prophets of the Old Testament

by Sawyer, John F. A.

• ISBN13: 9780192132505
• ISBN10: 0192132504
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1987-06-18
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Taking a refreshingly original approach to a familiar topic, this authoritative study examines the Biblical prophets and Jewish and Christian interpretations of prophecy. Beginning with a broad discussion of the phenomena of prophecy and the prophetic literature, Sawyer explores the work of Old Testament prophets, ranging from Moses to Huldah and Daniel to Malachi. In marked contrast to other studies, he pays particular attention to legends about the prophets, both canonical and apocryphal, many of which have been considerably more influential in the history of Western civilization than the prophets' original words. He concludes with a chapter on Jewish, Christian and Muslim interpretation and the matter of the fulfillment of prophecy.

Table of Contents

The Phenomenon of Prophecy

The prophetic experience

Divine possession

Acted parables and second sight

Miracle-working

Predicting the future

The role of the prophet in society

The Prophetic Literature

The oracle

Messenger speech

Other literary types

Editorial arrangement

The Message of the Prophets

Social and religious reform

The God of the prophets

The city of David

The Day of the Lord

The Prophets (I): Moses to Huldah

The Five Books of Moses

The Former Prophets

The Prophets (II): Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

The Prophets (III): Daniel to Malachi

Daniel

The twelve Minor Prophets

Prophecy and Interpretation

Prophecy and fulfilment in the Old Testament

The Prophets in Christian tradition

The Prophets in Judaism

Prophecy and fulfilment in Judaism and Christianity

Bibliography

Index of Passages Cited

General Index

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