Victor Matthews, a veteran teacher and expert on the world of ancient Israel, introduces students to the Hebrew prophets and their social world. Drawing on archaeology and ancient Near Eastern texts, Matthews examines the prophets chronologically, placing them and their message into historical context. He explores pertinent aspects of historical geography, economic conditions, and social forces that influenced a prophet's life and message and explains why prophets served an integral purpose in the development of ancient Israelite religion. He also explores how prophets addressed their audience and employed rhetorical methods, images, and metaphors to communicate effectively. Logically organized, clearly written, and classroom friendly, this book meets the needs of beginning as well as advanced students. It is a substantially revised and expanded edition of the successful text Social World of the Hebrew Prophets.

This informative survey presents the Old Testament prophets in an orderly format, making them accessible and understandable to readers of the Bible. The key feature of this introductory volume is the systematic outline and form. Each chapter summarizes the essential element of the prophet's message. The reader will have a basic foundation on which to build a growing understanding.

"A very useful summary of the Hebrew Bible's books of the prophets in a clear, reader-friendly form. It is a practical introduction to the prophets and an invitation to delve ever further into their history and their words." Richard Elliott Friedman Author of Who Wrote the Bible? and The Disappearance of God --Book Jacket.

The Old Testament prophets spoke to Israel in times of historical and moral crisis. They saw themselves as being a part of a story that God was weaving throughout history--a story of repentance, encouragement, and a coming Messiah. In this updated introductory book, each major and minor prophet and his writing are clustered with the major historical events of their time. Our generational distance from the age of the prophets might seem to be a measureless chasm. Yet we dare not make the mistake of assuming that passing years have rendered irrelevant not only the Old Testament prophets, but also the God who comprehends, spans, and transcends all time. In these pages, C. Hassell Bullock presents a clear picture of some of history's most profound spokesmen--the Old Testament prophets--and the God who shaped them.

Chronicles the ancient history of Israel and its prophets, from Samson to Elijah.