Obadiah, Jonah and Micah

Elaine Phillips

Description

In this new volume in the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series, Elaine Phillips offers a thorough and comprehensive study of the minor prophets Obadiah, Jonah and Micah.
The Books of Obadiah, Jonah and Micah are richly juxtaposed. From Micah’s call to challenge brutal political and religious leaders at home, to Jonah and Obadiah both addressing audiences beyond the boundaries of geo-political Israel, we see these three prophets speaking into their contexts with rhetorical force and passion.

As well as wrestling with theological conundrums, through Obadiah, Jonah and Micah we hear the living Words of God – powerful words, intended to warn, cajole and console, and words which still have much to say to God’s people today.

Offering cogent analysis on these often-overlooked books as well as exploring the practical implications for modern Christian life, this is a scholarly Bible commentary on Obadiah, Jonah and Micah that will benefit all preachers and serious students of the Bible.

Part of the Apollos Old Testament commentary series, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah follows a clear, helpful structure that provides a thorough exploration of the Biblical texts – beginning with translation and notes, examining form and structure, offering insightful commentary and ending with a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology. It will leave you with a deeper knowledge of the divine and human aspects of Scripture, as well as a broader understanding of what these prophets mean for Christians in the twenty-first century.

The Apollos Old Testament Commentaries are scholarly bible commentaries ideal for those preaching from the Old Testament and looking to explore its riches in depth within their sermons. They will also help lay people and scholars studying the Bible on a higher level.

Comprehensive and compelling, Elaine Phillips’ commentary on Obadiah, Jonah and Micah is a thorough study that will give you an appreciation of the struggles these prophets faced as they answered God’s call to speak into difficult geo-political contexts, and the lessons that they can teach Christians today.

CONTENTS

Editors’ preface ix

Author’s preface xi

Abbreviations xiii

Glossary xx

General introduction 1

1. Approach and methodology 1

2. Rhetorical and literary considerations 3

2.1 Poetic considerations 4

2.2 Elements of narrative 6

2.3 The Book of the Twelve 7

3. Biblical theology serving the church 9

4. Text and notes 10

OBADIAH

Introduction 13

1. Title, author, and audience(s) 13

2. Guiding questions 14

3. History of a troubled relationship 14

3.1 Jacob and Esau 14

3.2 Israel/Judah and Edom 14

3.3 Edom in the Prophets and Psalms 15

4. Geopolitical Edom 17

5. Literary and rhetorical considerations 18

5.1 Structure and unity of the text 18

5.2 Prophetic rhetoric 19

5.3 Oral discourse / written intertextuality 19

5.4 Obadiah and Jeremiah 49 20

5.5 Fulfilment and prophetic discourse 22

6. Possible historical contexts 22

7. Theological connections 24

7.1 Placement in the canon 24

7.2 Primary theological emphases 25

8. Texts 26

9. Outline 27

Text and commentary 29

JONAH

Introduction 67

1. Approach to the text 67

2. Identity of Jonah 69

3. Historical contexts 70

3.1 Assyrian geopolitics in the ninth and eighth centuries bc 70

3.2 Compositional time frames: overview 72

3.3 Possible compositional contexts: reflections 73

4. Literary artistry 75

4.1 Macrostructures 75

4.2 Narrative features 76

4.3 Poetry 78

4.4 Intertextual connections 79

4.5 Unity of the text 80

4.6 Genre and why it matters 81

4.7 Narrative theology 84

5. Brief history of interpretation 86

6. Presumed purposes: an overview 86

6.1 Polemic against Jewish exclusivism 87

6.2 Commentary on the prophetic role 87

6.3 Relationship with Yhwh 88

6.4 Additional reflections: justice and mercy 89

7. Among the twelve 90

8. Text and translation 91

9. Outline 92

Text and commentary 93

MICAH

Introduction 171

1. Why approach to the study matters 171

2. The geographical, historical and cultural backdrop 172

2.1 Geography of the eastern Mediterranean 172

2.2 Narrowing the focus to Micah’s region 173

2.3 Cities of the Shephelah 173

2.4 Weaving together the geographical, historical and

cultural fabric 175

3. Micah among the prophets and the Book of the Twelve –

canonical context 177

4. Theological emphases – Micah and the covenant 178

4.1 The covenant Name 178

4.2 Yhwh’s presence with the people 179

4.3 Covenant disputes 180

4.4 Covenant infidelity and consequences 180

4.5 Prophetic hope articulated and fulfilled 180

4.6 The remnant 181

5. Prophetic rhetoric: reading passionate poetic discourse 181

6. Structures and implications 183

7. When were these oracles spoken and compiled? 184

8. Excursus: Micah 4:1–5 and Isaiah 2:2–5 186

9. Texts and translations 188

10. Outline 189

Text and commentary 191

Bibliography 354

Index of Scripture references and ancient sources 369

Index of authors 385

Index of subjects 389

Sujets

• Biblical Commentary
• Philosophie et théologie
• General officer
• Old Testament
• Religion
• General

Informations

• Publié par: IVP
• Date de parution: 21 octobre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781789743777
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

TITLES IN THIS SERIES
EXODUS, T. Desmond Alexander
LEVITICUS, Nobuyoshi Kiuchi
DEUTERONOMY, J. G. McConville
JOSHUA, Pekka M. A. Pitkänen
RUTH, L. Daniel Hawk
1 & 2 SAMUEL, David G. Firth
1 & 2 KINGS, Lissa Wray Beal
PROVERBS, Paul Overland
ECCLESIASTES & THE SONG OF SONGS,
Daniel C. Fredericks and Daniel J. Estes
DANIEL, Ernest C. Lucas
HOSEA, Joshua N. Moon
OBADIAH, JONAH & MICAH, Elaine A. Phillips
HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH & MALACHI,
Anthony R. Petterson

APOLLOS (an imprint of Inter-Varsity Press)
36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4ST, England
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.ivpbooks.com
© Elaine A. Phillips 2022
Elaine A. Phillips has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.
Inter-Varsity Press, England, publishes Christian books that are true to the Bible and that communicate the gospel, develop discipleship and strengthen the church for its mission in the world.
IVP originated within the Inter-Varsity Fellowship, now the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, a student movement connecting Christian Unions in universities and colleges throughout Great Britain, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. That historic association is maintained, and all senior IVP staff and committee members subscribe to the UCCF Basis of Faith. Website: www.uccf.org.uk .
Scripture quotations are the author’s own translations.
First published 2022
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978–1–78974–378–4 (print)
ISBN: 978–1–78974–377–7 (digital)
Set in Sabon 10/12pt
Typeset in Great Britain by CRB Associates, Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire
Printed and bound in Great Britain by TJ International Ltd, Padstow on paper from sustainable sources
eBook by CRB Associates , Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire
To my beloved husband, Perry,
who embodies Micah 6:8
Contents
Editors’ preface
Author’s preface
Abbreviations
Textual
Hebrew grammar
Miscellaneous
Journals, reference works, series
Glossary
General introduction
1. Approach and methodology
2. Rhetorical and literary considerations
2.1. Poetic considerations
2.2. Elements of narrative
2.3. The Book of the Twelve
3. Biblical theology serving the church
4. Text and notes
OBADIAH
Introduction
1. Title, author and audience(s)
2. Guiding questions
3. History of a troubled relationship
3.1. Jacob and Esau
3.2. Israel/Judah and Edom
3.3. Edom in the Prophets and Psalms
4. Geopolitical edom
5. Literary and rhetorical considerations
5.1. Structure and unity of the text
5.2. Prophetic rhetoric
5.3. Oral discourse / written intertextuality
5.4. Obadiah and Jeremiah 49
5.5. Fulfilment and prophetic discourse
6. Possible historical contexts
7. Theological connections
7.1. Placement in the canon
7.2. Primary theological emphases
8. Texts
9. Outline
Text and commentary
Obadiah 1
Obadiah 2–4
Obadiah 5–7
Obadiah 8–10
Obadiah 11–14
Obadiah 15–16
Obadiah 17–18
Obadiah 19–21
JONAH
Introduction
1. Approach to the text
2. Identity of Jonah
3. Historical contexts
3.1 Assyrian geopolitics in the ninth and eighth centuries bc
3.2 Compositional time frames: overview
3.3 Possible compositional contexts: reflections
4. Literary artistry
4.1 Macrostructures
4.2 Narrative features
4.3 Poetry
4.4 Intertextual connections
4.5 Unity of the text
4.6 Genre and why it matters
4.7 Narrative theology
5. Brief history of interpretation
6. Presumed purposes: an overview
6.1 Polemic against Jewish exclusivism
6.2 Commentary on the prophetic role
6.3 Relationship with Yhwh
6.4 Additional reflections: justice and mercy
7. Among the twelve
8. Text and translation
9. Outline
Text and commentary
Jonah 1:1–3
Jonah 1:4–7
Jonah 1:8–12
Jonah 1:13–16
Jonah 2:1–2[1:17 – 2:1]
Jonah 2:3–10[2:2–9]
Jonah 2:11[10]
Jonah 3:1–4
Jonah 3:5–9
Jonah 3:10
Jonah 4:1–4
Jonah 4:5–11
MICAH
Introduction
1. Why approach to the study matters
2. The geographical, historical and cultural backdrop
2.1. Geography of the eastern Mediterranean
2.2. Narrowing the focus to Micah’s region
2.3. Cities of the Shephelah
2.4. Weaving together the geographical, historical and cultural fabric
3. Micah among the prophets and the Book of the Twelve – canonical context
4. Theological emphases – Micah and the covenant
4.1. The covenant Name
4.2. Y hwh ’s presence with the people
4.3. Covenant disputes
4.4 Covenant infidelity and consequences
4.5. Prophetic hope articulated and fulfilled
4.6. The remnant
5. Prophetic rhetoric: reading passionate poetic discourse
6. Structures and implications
7. When were these oracles spoken and compiled?
8. Excursus: Micah 4:1–5 and Isaiah 2:2–5
9. Texts and translations
10. Outline
Text and commentary
Micah 1:1
Micah 1:2–4
Micah 1:5–7
Micah 1:8–9
Micah 1:10–16
Micah 2:1–2
Micah 2:3–5
Micah 2:6–7
Micah 2:8–11
Micah 2:12–13
Micah 3:1–4
Micah 3:5–7
Micah 3:8–12
Micah 4:1–5
Micah 4:6–8
Micah 4:9–10
Micah 4:11–13
Micah 4:14[5:1 English]
Micah 5:1–3[2–4]
Micah 5:4–5[5–6]
Micah 5:6–8[7–9]
Micah 5:9–14[10–15]
Micah 6:1–5
Micah 6:6–8
Micah 6:9–16
Micah 7:1–6
Micah 7:7–10
Micah 7:11–13
Micah 7:14–15
Micah 7:16–17
Micah 7:18–20
Bibliography
Commentaries
Additional reference works and volumes
Chapters and articles
Search items for Scripture references and ancient sources
Search items for authors
Search items for subjects
EDITORS’ PREFACE
The Apollos Old Testament Commentary takes its name from the Alexandrian Jewish Christian who was able to impart his great learning fervently and powerfully through his teaching (Acts 18:24–25). He ably applied his understanding of past events to his contemporary society. This series seeks to do the same, keeping one foot firmly planted in the universe of the original text and the other in that of the target audience, which is preachers, teachers and students of the Bible. The series editors have selected scholars who are adept in both areas, exhibiting scholarly excellence along with practical insight for application.
Translators need to be at home with the linguistic practices and semantic nuances of both the original and target languages in order to be able to transfer the full impact of the one into the other. Commentators, however, serve as interpreters of the text rather than simply its translators. They also need to adopt a dual stance, though theirs needs to be even more solid and diversely anchored than that of translators. While they also must have the linguistic competence to produce their own excellent translations, they must moreover be fully conversant with the literary conventions, sociological and cultural practices, historical background and understanding, and theological perspectives of those who produced the text as well as those whom it concerned. On the other side, they must also understand their own times and culture, able to see where relevance for the original audience is transferable to that of current readers. For this to be accomplished, it is not only necessary to interpret the text; one must also interpret the audience.
Traditionally, commentators have been content to highlight and expound the ancient text. More recently, the need for an anchor in the present day has also become more evident, and this series self-consciously adopts this approach, combining both. Each author analyses the original text through a new translation, textual notes, a discussion of the literary form, structure and background of the passage, as well as commenting on elements of its exegesis. A study of the passage’s interpretational development in Scripture and the church concludes each section, serving to bring the passage home to the modern reader. What we intend, therefore, is to provide not only tools of excellence for the academy, but also tools of function for the pulpit.
David W. Baker
Gordon J. Wenham
AUTHOR’S PREFACE
It was providential to encounter David Baker at Tyndale House in Cambridge in the spring of 2018. At some point in the course of daily conversations in the Commons over coffee and tea, he generously offered me the opportunity of writing for the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series on Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. I am grateful for the privilege. To be candid, I did not know as I started what an undertaking this was going to be. It sent me back to engage again with what I thought were familiar texts, and it has deepened remarkably my love for the rugged and passionate prophetic poetry and narrative in the HB. In the interval, it has been most helpful to try out ideas in teaching venues addressing prophetic literature. Not only has the undergraduate student context been helpful; I am also grateful for the opportunity to team-teach Micah with my husband for Boston’s Park Street Church Christian Formation classes.
Speaking of my husband, to him I offer loving thanks for the encouragement, support, wisdom, prayer, sacrifice, humour, tech assistance and so much else. I am grateful that we have been partners in a small part of God’s kingdom for now almost half a century. He is a gift from the Lord and a consistent source of incarnational love. Above all, we share joy and hope as participants in that great throng that the Lord has drawn to Mount Zion through the atoning and shepherding work of the One born in Bethlehem.
This final season of writing has been in the shadow of the 2020–22 pandemic.