BUILDING AN OT LIBRARY: HOSEA—MALACHI

This contribution to the series on building a biblical library begins with suggestions on books that are helpful for honing one’s hermeneutic for studying the Minor Prophets/Book of the Twelve, before turning to a review of recent commentaries on the various books. The focus is on works written over the past two decades since they are most likely to be in print today.

For a basic orientation to Christian preaching and teaching from the OT in general with some attention to the prophets in particular, the work of E. Achtemeier, Preaching from the Old Testament (Westminster/John Knox, 1989), G.L. Klein, Reclaiming the Prophetic Mantle: Preaching the Old Testament Faithfully (Broadman, 1992), G. Goldsworthy, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture: The Application of Biblical Theology to Expository Preaching (Eerdmans, 2000), and especially S. Greidanus, Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method (Eerdmans, 1999) are good choices. R.B. Chisholm, Interpreting the Minor Prophets (Zondervan, 1990), D.A. Leggett, Loving God and Disturbing Men: Preaching from the Prophets (Baker, 1990), and E. Achtemeier, Preaching from the Minor Prophets (Eerdmans, 1998) provide insights for interpreting and preaching from the Minor Prophets. W.A. Van Gemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word (Zondervan, 1996) remains one of the best evangelical orientations to prophecy in general, although the more recent contributions by J. Smith, The Minor Prophets (College, 1994) and D.B. Sandy, Plowshares & Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic (InterVarsity Press, 2002) are helpful.

Recent research on the book of the Twelve (Minor Prophets) has argued for reading these books as a literary and canonical unit and not merely twelve discrete literary units. However, these insights have not yet made an impact on the commentaries currently available (such trends often take a decade or two). Readers will find in P.R. House (Sheffield Academic Press, 1990) an early example of this approach by an evangelical, while the work of M.A. Sweeney, D.W. Cotter, J.T. Walsh, and C. Franke in Berit Olam (BO; Liturgical, 2001) represent a helpful example from the non-evangelical streams of OT scholarship. These two works offer a look at the Minor Prophets as the work of a single “author,” displaying sensitivity to narrative and poetic features of the Book of the Twelve as a unit, followed by smaller rhetorical groupings and individual prophetic books. These works provide a solid foundation from which to launch into further theological reflection. For a helpful review of recent research, one should consult P.L. Redditt (“Recent Research on the Book of the Twelve as One Book,” Currents in Research: Biblical Studies 9 [2001] 47-80).

Turning to recent commentaries, it is important to note at the outset that variety and quality are key considerations for choosing commentaries when studying the biblical text for preaching and teaching. Three types of commentary are helpful: (1) One that focuses on exegesis, providing foundational insights into the ancient historical and literary context of the text. It is important to have access to commentary that translates or addresses the text in its original languages, not only for those with proficiency in the original languages, but also for those trying to understand major differences between modern translations. (2) One that focuses on broader biblical theological-canonical context of the text. This type of commentary highlights the meaning of the text not only within its original contexts, but also within its final canonical contexts within the Old and New Testaments. (3) One that identifies the implications of the ancient text situated in canonical context for contemporary life. These three types of commentary can be written at various levels, targeting lay, pastoral, or scholarly readers. Rarely does one find a single volume that combines all three of these types in one volume, yet all three are important to those who preach and teach from the biblical text.

Offering a look at the Minor Prophets/Book of the Twelve through the eyes of one author, the work of M.A. Sweeney, D.W. Cotter, J.T. Walsh, and C. Franke (BO [2000]) demonstrates sensitivity to the narrative and poetic features of this entire corpus. This work provides a solid foundation from which to launch into further theological reflection. Stuart’s commentary on Hosea—Jonah in Word Biblical Commentary (WBC; Word, 1987), presently being updated and expanded to include the remainder of the Minor Prophets, provides detailed engagement with the original language and basic depictions of the literary structures of the book. It also demonstrates some theological sensitivity. Its range (covering many books) and quality make it a valuable resource.

For Hosea, F.I. Andersen and D.N. Freedman, in the Anchor Bible (AB; Doubleday, 1995), offer detailed exegesis with a thorough grounding in the original language. A helpful and more recent supplement would be G.I. Davies in the New Century Bible (NCB; Eerdmans, 1992). D.A. Hubbard, in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary (TOTC; InterVarsity, 1989), provides solid exegesis with some brief comments on the biblical-theological significance of the book. D.A. Garrett in the New American Commentary (NAC, Broadman & Holdman, 1997) identifies a literary structure for the book, provides verse-by-verse commentary, and makes contemporary applications through occasional excurses throughout the commentary. T.E. McComiskey (Baker Academic, 1992) provides decent work on the original language and offers insight into the text’s background world. G.A. Smith in the NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC; Zondervan, 2001) provides some competent exegesis, but is most useful for the broader canonical theology of the book and its use in the contemporary world. The works of Andersen and Freedman, Garrett, and Smith would cover Hosea nicely for the evangelical interpreter.

For Amos, the work of S.M. Paul and F.M. Cross in Hermeneia (Augsburg Fortress, 1991) provides intricately detailed work, and is an indispensable resource for original language and exegetical studies. F.I. Andersen and D.N. Freedman (AB; Doubleday, 1989) also provide detailed exegesis but demonstrate a strong historical concern with some sensitivity given to the literary features of the book. Both D.A. Hubbard (TOTC) and F.S. Smith and B.K. Page (NAC; 1995) give a good evangelical verse-by-verse exegetical treatment. T.J. Finley in the Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary (WEC; Moody, 1990) offers a solid overview of literary structure and provides detailed exegesis. G.A. Smith (NIVAC) continues in the same vein as his work in Hosea, and he is quite helpful in bringing Amos forward into contemporary circumstances. The works of Paul, Finley, and Smith provide the best coverage of Amos.

For Joel, D.A. Garrett (NAC) again sets up the literary structure of the book and teases out contemporary applications in excurses. D.A. Hubbard (TOTC) provides useful exegesis and brings out some of its basic theology. T.J. Finley (WEC) works closely with the original language in his exegesis. From a more critical perspective, J. Barton in the Old Testament Library (OTL; Westminster/John Knox Press, 2001) offers solid exegetical work, and also shows concern for the book’s theological and literary shape. J. Crenshaw (AB; Doubleday, 1995) provides detailed exegesis of the text of Joel, while handling the challenges of the original language. D.W. Baker (NIVAC; 2006) transitions from a discussion of exegetical issues to the place of the book within the canon of Scripture, and finally explores its applicability in contemporary circumstances. Garrett, Finley, Baker and Barton are the essentials from this list.

P.R. Raabe (AB; Doubleday, 1996) provides an in-depth look at Obadiah. He is conversant with issues of historical concern, but ultimately chooses to read the book as a literary unity. There is a nice discussion of the literary features that characterize Hebrew prophecy in his introduction. J. Barton (OTL) continues from his work on Joel with solid exegesis and engagement with original language from a critical perspective. From an evangelical point of view, T.J. Finley (WEC) helpfully engages with the original language. F.S. Smith and B.K. Page (NAC) offer accessible exegesis and demonstrate some theological concern. D.W. Baker, T.D. Alexander, and B.K. Waltke (TOTC; 1988) offer concise exegesis and a positive view of the text’s unity, while another treatment of Obadiah by D.W. Baker (NIVAC) aims at contemporary application. A collection of Finley, Raabe, and Baker (NIVAC) cover an excellent range of coverage.

For Jonah, J.M. Sasson (AB; 1990) provides insight into the original language of the text, although he argues that it is not worth attempting to secure the book’s date of composition. D.W. Baker, T.D. Alexander, and B.K. Waltke (TOTC; 1988) stress the text’s unity and provide good comments on its broader significance within the canon. F.S. Smith and B.K. Page (NAC) again offer solid exegetical and literary work on this text. J. Bruckner (NIVAC; 2004) is lighter on exegesis but superior regarding the broader biblical-theological significance and contemporary application of this book. Smith and Page, and Bruckner are recommended here.

The best evangelical treatment of the original text of Micah is unquestionably the recently published commentary by B.K. Waltke (Eerdmans, 2006). The work of K.L. Barker and D.W. Bailey (NAC; 1998) provides a good supplement to Waltke for exegesis and biblical theology, but G.V. Smith (NIVAC; 2001) provides insights for applying this ancient prophet to a contemporary audience based on solid exegesis. The preacher would be well served by Waltke, Barker, and Smith.

For Nahum, T. Longman (in McComiskey’s The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary: Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, and Habakkuk [Baker Academic, 1993] 765-830) offers solid evangelical exegesis of the book with a concern for its literary and rhetorical shaping. K.L. Barker and D.W. Bailey (NAC) provide useful exegetical work along with brief comments concerning contemporary application interwoven in the exegesis. R.D. Patterson (WEC; 1991) engages the original language closely, and also provides significant detail on the book’s connection to biblical-theological concerns. O.P. Robertson in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT; Eerdmans, 1990) does a good job situating Nahum into its historical context with sensitivity to biblical theology. D.W. Baker, T.D. Alexander, and B.K. Waltke (TOTC) provides concise and simple exegesis of the book. And again, J. Bruckner (NIVAC) is quite helpful in exploring the theological significance and contemporary applicability of this text. Patterson, Barker and Bailey, and Bruckner provide excellent coverage of this book.

For a critical engagement of the original texts of Habakkuk and Zephaniah, one would be well served by F.I. Andersen (AB; 2001) on Habakkuk and A. Berlin (AB; Doubleday, 1994) on Zephaniah. Work that represents an evangelical emphasis with attention to the theological dimension of the text include those by O.P. Robertson (NICOT), R.D. Patterson (WEC), and K.L. Barker and D.W. Bailey (NAC). Robertson’s is more theological, Patterson’s more exegetical, and Bailey’s strikes a balance between the two. The work of D.W. Baker, T.D. Alexander, and B.K. Waltke (TOTC) is superb, but limited by the format of the series with its pithy statements on the text. Although some may find his commentary short on exegesis, J. Bruckner (NIVAC) helps contemporary preachers and teachers think through contemporary implications of the text with hermeneutical sensitivity. For coverage of these two prophets choose Andersen (Hab)/Patterson (Zeph), Bailey (Hab/Zeph), and Bruckner (Hab/Zeph).

For the books of Haggai and Zechariah, P.A. Verhoef (NICOT; 1986) is the best evangelical resource for issues related to the original texts of these prophetic books; however, the works of C. L. and E.M. Meyers (AB; 1993) and D.L. Petersen (OTL; Westminster/John Knox, 1995) are unquestionably the most exhaustive on ancient historical and literary issues. E.H. Merrill (Moody, 1994) and R.A. Taylor and E.R. Clendenen (NAC; 2004) both provide extensive evangelical exegesis with some theological reflection. For a literary-canonical approach to Haggai with insights into contemporary relevance, T.J. Meadowcroft’s Readings—A New Biblical Commentary (Sheffield Phoenix, 2006) analyzes Haggai’s discourse with narrative sensitivity. Although more compact, B.G. Webb in the Bible Speaks Today (BST; InterVarsity, 2003) provides a superb balance of exegesis and biblical theology on the book of Zechariah. M.J. Boda (NIVAC; Zondervan, 2004) seeks to balance exegesis of Haggai and Zechariah with biblical, theological, and contemporary reflection, not only helping the contemporary reader hear the text in its ancient context, but guiding them to hear the text’s message in a contemporary context through Christian eyes. The commentaries by Meyers & Meyers (Hag/Zech), Taylor (Hag)/Webb (Zech), and Boda (Hag/Zech) cover the various dimensions necessary for studying these books.

For Malachi, the work of evangelicals P.A. Verhoef (NICOT) and A. Hill (AB; 1998) is important. As with his work on Haggai and Zechariah, E.H. Merrill (Moody) is helpful for reading the text in its original context, while further insight can be gained from more critical work by D.L. Petersen (OTL) and M.A.Sweeney, D.W. Cotter, J.T. Walsh, and C. Franke (BO; 2000). R.A. Taylor and E.R. Clendenen (NAC; 2004) not only provides cutting-edge research on the structure of the discourse of Malachi, but also devotes some space to the larger biblical, theological, and contemporary context for the Christian reader. The latter is developed more fully in D.W. Baker’s (NIVAC; 2006) work which is extremely helpful for preachers. The three best choices would be Hill, Clendenen, and Baker.

As one can see these “minor prophets” have become a “major” focus in recent research. This is due to the wealth of theology contained within these books that represent the oral and written words of God to various communities for nearly 500 years, words that have the potential to inspire and shape the people of God today.

By Mark J. Boda, Ph.D., Professor of Old Testament, Professor in the Faculty of Theology; and Joel Barker, M.A., Adjunct Instructor of Old Testament, McMaster Divinity College, McMaster University.