The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi

by David A. Dorsey

Overview

Dorsey proceeds book-by-book through the entire Old Testament, identifying the structure and offering commentary as to how it clarifies the text's meaning. He illuminates the "big picture" of each book, providing a framework for further study.

"This book will become a standard reference tool for all serious students of the Bible."—Temper Longman III, Westmont College

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801027932
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2004
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.69(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David A. Dorsey (Ph.D., Dropsie College) is professor of Old Testament at the Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. He is the author of The Roads and Highways of Ancient Israel.

Table of Contents

	Preface	9
	Abbreviations	11
Unit 1	Introduction
1	Introduction	15
2	Literary Units	21
3	Arrangement of Units	26
4	Structure and Meaning	36
5	Value of Structural Analysis	42
Unit 2	Book of the Law of Moses
6	Book of the Law: Historical Prologue: Genesis 1:1-Exodus 19:2	47
7	Book of the Law: Treaty at Sinai: Exodus 19:3-Numbers 10:10	72
8	Book of the Law: Historical Conclusion: Numbers 10:11-Joshua 24:33	84
9	Book of the Law: Structural Unity	97
Unit 3	Historical Books
10	Judges: Israel's Downward Spiral	105
11	Ruth: The Power of Kindness	121
12	Samuel: David-a Man after God's Heart	129
13	Kings: Israel's Revolt against God	137
14	Chronicles: Encouraging Stories from Israel's History	145
15	Ezra-Nehemiah: God's People Return to Jerusalem	158
16	Esther: Divine Providence Protects God's People	162
Unit 4	Poetic Books
17	Job: Where Can Wisdom Be Found?	167
18	Psalms: Israel's Hymns and Prayers to God	173
19	Proverbs: Yahweh-the Source of All Wisdom	187
20	Ecclesiastes: God Alone Holds the Key to Life's Meaning	192
21	Song of Songs: Love-the Flame of Yahweh	199
Unit 5	Major Prophets
22	Isaiah: Trust in Yahweh Alone	217
23	Jeremiah: Prophet to a Hostile Nation	236
24	Lamentations: His Mercies Are New Every Morning	246
25	Ezekiel: Visions of the Glory of God	253
26	Daniel: God's Supremacy over All Earthly Powers	259
Unit 6	Minor Prophets
27	Hosea: Come Home, Unfaithful Israel	265
28	Joel: Yahweh Thunders at the Head of His Army	273
29	Amos: The Lion Has Roared	277
30	Obadiah: Edom's Fall and Judah's Rise	287
31	Jonah: A Lesson on Mercy	290
32	Micah: Walk Humbly with Your God	296
33	Nahum: Where Now Is the Lion's Den?	301
34	Habakkuk: The Just Shall Live by Faith	306
35	Zephaniah: The Day of Yahweh Is Near	310
36	Haggai: Rebuild the Temple!	315
37	Zechariah: Yahweh Will Again Live among His People	317
38	Malachi: How Have We Robbed God?	321
Unit 7	Conclusion
39	Some Final Thoughts	327
	Bibliography	329