Concerning the Nations: Essays on the Oracles Against the Nations in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel

Description

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel share much in common. They address the pivotal times and topics associated with the last stages of the monarchical history of Israel, and with the development of new forms of communal and religious life through exile and beyond. One important structural component of all three books is a substantial section which concerns itself with a range of foreign nations, commonly called the "Oracles against the Nations", which form the focus of this book. These chapters together present the most up-to-date scholarship on the oracles - an oft-neglected but significant area in the study of the prophetic literature. The particular characteristics of Isaiah, Jeremiah (both Masoretic Text and Septuagint versions), and Ezekiel, are discussed showcasing the unique issues pertinent to each book and the diverse methods used to address them. These evident differences aside, the Oracles Against the Nations are employed as a springboard in order to begin the work of tracing similarities between the texts. By focusing on these unique yet common sections, a range of interrelated themes and issues of both content and method become noticeable: for example, though not exhaustively, pattern, structure, language, comparative history, archaeology, sociology, politics, literature, imagery, theme, theology, and hermeneutical issues related to today's context. As a result this collection presents a range of cutting-edge approaches on these key prophetic books, and will provide a basis for further comparative study and reflection.

Else K. Holt is Associate Professor in the Department of Culture and Society at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. Hyun Chul Paul Kim is Professor of Hebrew Bible, Williams Chair of Biblical Studies, at Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio, USA. Andrew Mein is Tutor in Old Testament at Wescott House, Cambridge, UK, and series editor of The Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies.

There are some fascinating and stimulating essays in this collection ... [A]n important and suggestive collection for those in the field of the OANs. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *