Review in: Hebrew Studies Journal
THE BOOKS OF NAHUM,
HABAKKUK, AND ZEPHANIAH. By O. Palmer Robertson. The New International
Commentary on the Old Testament. Pp. x + 357. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1990.
Cloth, $28.95.
Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah are perhaps the three most-neglected books in the Old Testament. Scholars have overlooked them because of their size and because they are overshadowed in their time period by Jeremiah and Ezekiel. But they increase in importance when we remember that they are the primary prophetic witnesses, in addition to Jeremiah, to the defeat of Assyria, the rise of Babylonia, and the demise of Judah.
In recent years more attention has been given to these books and to their important historical and theological record; witness, in addition to Robertson's volume, the recent Old Testament Library commentary by J.J.M. Roberts. In happy contrast to older works which often separated these books, modern treatments recognize the obvious chronological and textual reasons for grouping them together.
The New International
Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT--despite its misleading title, having no
direct connection with the New International Version) has in its volumes, which
cover most of the Old Testament books, set high standards for historical exegesis and practical exposition. Robertson's
excellent volume adds to the NICOT's already formidable reputation.
O. Palmer Robertson, currently a Presbyterian pastor in Maryland, taught for 20 years at Reformed, Westminster, and Covenant Theological Seminaries. Readers who may question his purposely evangelical perspective and frequent homiletical exposition must remember the stated purpose of the entire NICOT series. Within this presuppositional framework, Robertson has delivered an outstanding work of exegesis, rich in textual and linguistic detail, and supplying frequent exposition for those interested in personal application or homiletical extension of the primary textual material.
Robertson usually rejects form-critical and other approaches which deny the authenticity of many passages in these prophecies, basically arguing for the Masoretic Text as received, with as little emendation as possible. A major emphasis is the close-knit bond between prophecy and history. To Robertson, the historical message of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah actually embodies and functions as prophecy.
To develop this idea, Robertson traces the "redemptive-historical setting" of these three books, emphasizing how the impending loss of the land become a redemptive event for Judah. He discusses this concept within the historical events of Judah's existence from the triumph of faith in the days of Hezekiah (715-687) through the final destruction of Judah in (he says) 587.
Robertson's excellent introduction provides a well-developed theological perspective of these prophets' message, while also discussing the style and structure of each book. But his best work, in this reviewer's opinion, is done in determining the likely dates for each prophecy. With admirable control of the relevant information, Robertson advances convincing suggestions for the dates of Nahum (642, during the reform of Manasseh and before the death of Ashurbanipal), Habakkuk (609-605, after Josiah but before the complete ascendancy of Babylonia), and Zephaniah (622-612, after the discovery of the Book of the Law, but before the collapse of Nineveh).
There are many good points about Robertson's commentary, some inherent in the entire NICOT series. The publisher is to be highly commended for the extremely helpful headings on the top of right-hand pages which change with the topics covered. Also, there is relatively equal coverage of all three books, rather than diminishing coverage at the end of the volume. Further, the introduction features an excellent bibliography, though it is a little light on foreign works, and a good basic introduction to literary-critical issues.
Robertson provides his own translation of each verse, which is helpful for the commentary and often superior to the NIV or other English renderings. In addition, he places each section in its proper poetic structure, helping the reader to see his analysis. His in-depth coverage of the text is supplemented by more technical information provided in the footnotes (and, thank goodness, footnotes rather than end notes!). And, perhaps best of all, there are no misprints or typos--at least none that this reviewer could find.
Some suggestions could be made for the improvement of this already excellent series. For example, it is hard to understand why all the Hebrew and Greek are given in transliteration (though scientific and thorough) rather than in actual printed script. Surely a series of such high quality could take this one additional step and increase its usefulness even more. Other minor irritations do not significantly diminish the high level of quality achieved by Robertson and the NICOT in general. Even at $28.95, this volume is well worth the seemingly higher-than-necessary cost.
In summary, Robertson has masterfully woven history, textual exegesis, and practical exposition and application into an excellent and eminently useful commentary. It can be highly recommended to anyone wanting to know more about these small Old Testament books, and it serves as a model for anyone wanting to understand better how to comment on the biblical text skillfully and faithfully.
O. Palmer Robertson, currently a Presbyterian pastor in Maryland, taught for 20 years at Reformed, Westminster, and Covenant Theological Seminaries. Readers who may question his purposely evangelical perspective and frequent homiletical exposition must remember the stated purpose of the entire NICOT series. Within this presuppositional framework, Robertson has delivered an outstanding work of exegesis, rich in textual and linguistic detail, and supplying frequent exposition for those interested in personal application or homiletical extension of the primary textual material.
Robertson usually rejects form-critical and other approaches which deny the authenticity of many passages in these prophecies, basically arguing for the Masoretic Text as received, with as little emendation as possible. A major emphasis is the close-knit bond between prophecy and history. To Robertson, the historical message of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah actually embodies and functions as prophecy.
To develop this idea, Robertson traces the "redemptive-historical setting" of these three books, emphasizing how the impending loss of the land become a redemptive event for Judah. He discusses this concept within the historical events of Judah's existence from the triumph of faith in the days of Hezekiah (715-687) through the final destruction of Judah in (he says) 587.
Robertson's excellent introduction provides a well-developed theological perspective of these prophets' message, while also discussing the style and structure of each book. But his best work, in this reviewer's opinion, is done in determining the likely dates for each prophecy. With admirable control of the relevant information, Robertson advances convincing suggestions for the dates of Nahum (642, during the reform of Manasseh and before the death of Ashurbanipal), Habakkuk (609-605, after Josiah but before the complete ascendancy of Babylonia), and Zephaniah (622-612, after the discovery of the Book of the Law, but before the collapse of Nineveh).
There are many good points about Robertson's commentary, some inherent in the entire NICOT series. The publisher is to be highly commended for the extremely helpful headings on the top of right-hand pages which change with the topics covered. Also, there is relatively equal coverage of all three books, rather than diminishing coverage at the end of the volume. Further, the introduction features an excellent bibliography, though it is a little light on foreign works, and a good basic introduction to literary-critical issues.
Robertson provides his own translation of each verse, which is helpful for the commentary and often superior to the NIV or other English renderings. In addition, he places each section in its proper poetic structure, helping the reader to see his analysis. His in-depth coverage of the text is supplemented by more technical information provided in the footnotes (and, thank goodness, footnotes rather than end notes!). And, perhaps best of all, there are no misprints or typos--at least none that this reviewer could find.
Some suggestions could be made for the improvement of this already excellent series. For example, it is hard to understand why all the Hebrew and Greek are given in transliteration (though scientific and thorough) rather than in actual printed script. Surely a series of such high quality could take this one additional step and increase its usefulness even more. Other minor irritations do not significantly diminish the high level of quality achieved by Robertson and the NICOT in general. Even at $28.95, this volume is well worth the seemingly higher-than-necessary cost.
In summary, Robertson has masterfully woven history, textual exegesis, and practical exposition and application into an excellent and eminently useful commentary. It can be highly recommended to anyone wanting to know more about these small Old Testament books, and it serves as a model for anyone wanting to understand better how to comment on the biblical text skillfully and faithfully.
Tim
Hadley
Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock, TX 79407
Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock, TX 79407
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