The thematic unity of the Book of the Twelve
By: Jason T. LeCureux
Series: Hebrew Bible monographs -- 41; Hebrew Bible monographs -- 41.
Publisher: Sheffield Phoenix Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Sheffield
Language: eng
Number of pages: 269
ISBN-13: 9781907534485
Subjects: Criticism, interpretation; Bible. Minor Prophets - Criticism, Interpretation; Bible
Other titles: Thematic unity of the Book of the 12
Description: 'Return to me', declares Yhwh of Hosts, 'and I will return to you', declares Yhwh of Hosts. The sentence stands at the head of the prophecy of Zechariah (1.3). But what does it mean to 'return to Yhwh'? And what does it mean that Yhwh 'will return to you'? LeCureux argues that it is this call to repentance, and Yhwh's responses to it, that form the unifying and organizing theme of return for the Book of the Twelve. While studies on the development and composition of the Twelve have proved fruitful in recent years, this book attempts to expand on those works by looking closely at the final form of the Twelve, particularly of its opening and closing books (Hosea-Joel, Zechariah-Malachi), and the role that canonical position and theme play within the Book. This project begins by defining the function of theme in biblical books, and then compares the role theme plays in Isaiah with its role in the Twelve, before engaging in the primary task of exegesis. LeCureux examines the use of 'return' in the Twelve, showing that it is the call to return that controls the events of the Day of Yhwh. Going further, the exegesis uncovers the links between the return imperatives of Hosea 14, Joel 2, Zechariah's own calls to return and Malachi's concluding question, 'How are we to return?'(3.7). What is ultimately revealed is the multifaceted nature of God's relationship with his people, one that involves the people's struggle to turn from covenantal disobedience toward Yhwh in repentance, as well as Yhwh's own turning from judgment toward his people in blessing.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-253) and indexes.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Methodology and the importance of theme; title: The fucntion of theme within Isaiah and comparison to the twelve; title: Hosea; title: Joel; title: Jonah; title: Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephnaniah and Haggai; title: Zechariah; title: Malachi.