Biblical Bibliographies
Charles Conroy [www.cjconroy.net]



Prophetic Books and Prophets in Israel
General Introductions



[see also:  Introductions to the Old Testament]



The bibliography is divided into three sections as follows:

I.    Dictionary articles from various periods

Barriocanal, J. L. (ed.), Diccionario del profetismo bíblico (Burgos: Monte Carmelo, 2008).

Davidson, A. B., "Prophecy and Prophets", in J. Hastings (ed.), A Dictionary of the Bible, Dealing with its Language, Literature, and Contents, Including the Biblical Theology, IV: Pleroma – Zuzim (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1902) 106-127.

Engnell, I., "Profeter, profetism", in I. Engnell (ed.), Svenskt bibliskt uppslagsverk. Vol. 2 (Stockholm: Nordiska Uppslagsböcker, 1963) 562-602. English version: "Prophets and Prophetism in the Old Testament", in I. Engnell, A Rigid Scrutiny. Critical Essays on the Old Testament (Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press, 1969) 123-179; = [same title], in I. Engnell, Critical Essays on the Old Testament (London: SPCK, 1970) 123-179.

Gunkel, H., "Propheten, II: seit Amos", RGG IV (1913) 1866-1886. Revised version: "Propheten, IIB: Propheten Israels seit Amos", RGG2 IV (1930) 1538-1554; = "The Israelite Prophecy from the Time of Amos", in J. Pelikan (ed.), Twentieth Century Theology in the Making (New York: Harper and Row, 1969) 48-75.

Huffmon, H. B., et al., "Prophecy", ABD V (1992) 477-502. Details: 1. Ancient Near Eastern Prophecy (H. B. Huffmon: 477-482); 2. Preexilic Hebrew Prophecy (J. J. Schmitt: 482-489); 3. Postexilic Hebrew Prophecy (J. Barton: 489-495); 4. Early Christian Prophecy (M. E. Boring: 495-502).

Klein, W., et al., "Propheten / Prophetie", TRE 27 (1997) 473-515. Details: I. Religionsgeschichtlich (W. Klein: 473-76); II. In Israel und seiner Umwelt (K. Koch: 477-499); III. Im Judentum (Chana Safrai: 499-503); IV. Neues Testament und Alte Kirche (Gerhard Dautzenberg: 503-511); V. Dogmatisch/hermeneutisch (Konrad Stock: 511-513); VI. Prophetie, praktisch-theologisch (Folker Albrecht / Ingo Baldermann: 513-517).

Paul, Sh. M., et al., "Prophets and Prophecy", in F. Skolnik (editor-in-chief) – M. Berenbaum (executive editor), Encyclopaedia Judaica. Second edition (Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA in association with the Keter Publishing House, 2007), vol. 16, 566-586. [first edition 1971]. Details: "In the Bible" (Shalom M. Paul and [2nd ed.] S. David Sperling: 566-580); "In the Talmud" (Louis Isaac Rabinowitz: 580-581); "In Jewish Philosophy" (Ralph Lerner [on Philo] and Howard Kreisel [2nd ed.: all the rest]: 581-585); "In Modern Jewish Thought" (Walter S. Wurzburger: 585-586).

Ramlot, L., "Prophétisme", DBSup 8 (1972) col. 811-1222.

Sheppard, G. T., et al., "Prophecy", in L. Jones (editor-in-chief), Encyclopedia of Religion. Second edition (Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA – Thomson Gale, 2005), vol. 11, 7423-7445 [first edition 1987]. Details: 1. "An Overview" (Gerald T. Sheppard and William E. Herbrechtsmeier [1987]: 7423-7429); 2. "Biblical Prophecy" (Robert R. Wilson [1987, with revised bibliography]: 7429-7438); 3. "Prophecy in Post-Biblical Judaism" ( by Howard Kreisel [2005]: 7438-7442); 4. "African Prophetism" (Robert M. Baum [2005]: 7442-7445).

II.    Introductions more useful for students and scholars

1.   Pre-1950

Cornill, C. H., Der israelitische Prophetismus: in fünf Vorträgen für gebildete Laien geschildert (Strassburg: Trübner, 1894 ... 121916; Berlin: de Gruyter, 131920); = The Prophets of Israel: Popular Sketches from Old Testament History (Chicago: Open Court Publishing Company, 1895 ... 71907); = I Profeti d'Israele (Bari: Laterza, 1923).

Davidson, A. B., Old Testament Prophecy. Edited by J. A. Paterson (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1903). [Davidson died in 1902].

Duhm, B., Die Theologie der Propheten: als Grundlage für die innere Entwicklungsgeschichte der israelitischen Religion (Bonn: Marcus, 1875). Extensively revised second edition: Israels Propheten. 2. verbesserte Auflage (Lebensfragen 26; Tübingen: Mohr [Siebeck], 1922).

Gunkel, H., Die Propheten (Religionsgeschichtliche Volksbücher für die deutsche christliche Gegenwart, II Reihe; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1917); = I Profeti. A cura di F. Parente (Firenze: Sansoni, 1967).

Heschel, A., Die Prophetie (Polska Akademja Umiejetnosci. Prace Komisji Orjentalistycznej, 22; Kraków: Nakladem Polskiej Akademji Umiejetnosci, 1936). [see below for the 1962 revised English edition]

Hölscher, G., Die Profeten: Untersuchungen zur Religionsgeschichte Israels (Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung, 1914).

Kuenen, A., De profeten en de profetie onder Israël: historisch-dogmatische studie. 2 vol. (Leiden: P. Engels, 1875); = The Prophets and Prophecy in Israel: An Historical and Critical Enquiry (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1877). The English version was reprinted [same title], (Amsterdam: Philo Press, 1969).

Robinson, T. H., Prophecy and the Prophets in Ancient Israel (Studies in Theology; London: Duckworth, 1923, 21953).

Smith, W. R., The Prophets of Israel and Their Place in History, to the Close of the 8th century B.C. (Edinburgh: A. & C. Black 1882) [USA edition: New York: Appleton, 1892]. Second edition, with introduction and notes by T. K. Cheyne (Edinburgh & London: A. & C. Black 1895). Reprint with modified title: The Prophets of Israel and Their Place in History. With a new introduction by Robert Alun Jones (New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2002).

2.   From 1950 to 1979

Balla, E., Die Botschaft der Propheten. Hrsg. von G. Fohrer (Tübingen: Mohr [Siebeck], 1958).

Buber, M., Der Glaube der Propheten (Zürich: Manesse, 1950); 2., verbesserte und um Register ergänzte Auflage (Heidelberg: Lambert Schneider, 1984); = The Prophetic Faith (New York: Macmillan, 1949) [various subsequent reprints]; = La fede dei profeti (Radici 5; Genova: Marietti, 1985); = La foi des prophètes (Paris: Albin Michel, 2003).

Heschel, A. J., The Prophets (New York: Harper & Row, 1962) [extensively revised version of his German work of 1936, see above]. Paperback edition in two volumes with separate pagination (Harper Colophon Books; New York: Harper & Row, 1969); = Los profetas. 3 vol. (Buenos Aires: Paidós, 1973). There is also an abbreviated Italian version: Il Messaggio dei profeti (Ricerche teologiche; Roma: Borla, 1981).

Kuhl, C., Israels Propheten (Dalp-Taschenbücher, 324; Bern: Francke; München: Lehnen, 1956); = The Prophets of Israel (Richmond, VA: John Knox Press; Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd, 1960).

Lindblom, J., Prophecy in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Blackwell, 1962).

Neher, A., L'essence du prophétisme (Épiméthée – essais philosophiques; Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1955). Second edition with only bibliographical additions (Diaspora; Paris: Calmann-Lévy, 1972); = The Prophetic Existence (South Brunswick, NJ – New York: Barnes; London: Yoseloff, 1969); = La esencia del profetismo (Biblioteca de Estudios Bíblicos, 8; Salamanca: Sígueme, 1975); = L'essenza del profetismo (Radici 4; Casale Monferrato [AL]: Marietti, 1984).

Rad, G. von, Die Botschaft der Propheten (Siebenstern-Taschenbuch 100-101; München – Hamburg: Siebenstern Taschenbuch Verlag, 1967); = The Message of the Prophets (London: SCM, 1968; New York: Harper & Row, 1972).

3.   From 1980 to the present

Abrego de Lacy, J. M., Los libros proféticos (Introducción al estudio de la Biblia, 4; Estella [Navarra]: Verbo Divino, 1993); = I libri profetici (Introduzione allo studio della Bibbia, 6; Brescia: Paideia, 1996).

Alonso Schökel, L. – J. L. Sicre Diaz, Profetas. Introducciones y comentario, 2 vol. (Madrid: Ediciones Cristiandad, 1980, 21987); = I Profeti (Roma: Borla, 1984); = Profetas, I-II (Grande comentário bíblico; São Paulo: Paulus, 1988 / 1991).

Amsler, S. – J. Asurmendi – J. Auneau – R. Martin-Achard, Les Prophètes et les livres prophétiques (Petite Bibliothèque des sciences bibliques, Ancien Testament, 4; Paris: Desclée, 1985); = I Profeti e i libri profetici (Piccola Enciclopedia Biblica, 4; Roma: Borla, 1987).

Beaucamp, É, Les prophètes d'Israël, ou le drame d'une alliance (Lire la Bible, 75; Paris: Cerf, 21987) [11968]; = I profeti d'Israele o il dramma di una alleanza (Fame e sete della parola, 3; Cinisello Balsamo: Edizioni Paoline, 21988); = Los Profetas de Israel (Estella [Navarra]: Verbo Divino, 1988).

Blenkinsopp, J., A History of Prophecy in Israel (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983 / London: SPCK, 1984); = Une histoire de la prophétie en Israël. Depuis le temps de l'installation en Canaan jusqu'à la période hellénistique (LD 152; Paris: Cerf, 1993). Second edition: A History of Prophecy in Israel. Revised and enlarged (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1996); = Storia della profezia in Israele (Biblioteca biblica, 22; Brescia: Queriniana, 1997); = Geschichte der Prophetie in Israel. Von den Anfängen bis zum hellenistischen Zeitalter (Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1998).

Cook, J. E., Hear, O Heavens and Listen, O Earth. An Introduction to the Prophets (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press – Michael Glazier, 2006).

Eaton, J. H., Mysterious Messengers: A Course on Hebrew Prophecy from Amos Onwards (London: SCM, 1997).

Junco Garza, C., Palabra sin fronteras. Los profetas de Israel (México: San Pablo, 2000).

Koch, K., Die Profeten, I: Assyrische Zeit; II: Babylonisch-persische Zeit. 2 vol. (Urban-Taschenbücher 280/281; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, I 31995 [völlig neu bearbeitete Auflage], 21987, 11978; II 21988, 11980); = The Prophets, 2 vol. (London: SCM, 1982/1983) [trans. of the first German edition]. [The 3rd ed. of Band II never appeared.]

Kratz, R. G., Die Propheten Israels (C. H. Beck Wissen in der Beck'schen Reihe, 2326; München: Beck, 2003); = I profeti d'Israele (Sintesi; Brescia: Queriniana, 2006).

Lundbom, J. R., The Hebrew Prophets: An Introduction (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2010).

Marconcini, B., et al., Profeti e apocalittici (Logos 3; Leumann [TO]; ElleDiCi, 1995).

Peckham, B., History and Prophecy. The Development of Late Judean Literary Traditions (Anchor Bible Reference Library; New York: Doubleday, 1993).

Petersen, D. L., The Prophetic Literature: An Introduction (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2002).

Redditt, P. L., Introduction to the Prophets (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008).

Rofé, A., Introduzione alla letteratura profetica. Versione italiana a cura di A. Minissale (Studi Biblici, 111; Brescia: Paideia, 1995); = Introduction to the Prophetic Literature (The Biblical Seminar, 21; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997). [original Hebrew edition: מבוא לספרות הנבואה (Jerusalem: Academon, 1992)]

Sawyer, J. F. A., Prophecy and the Prophets of the Old Testament (Oxford Bible Series; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987). Revised edition: Prophecy and the Biblical Prophets (Oxford Bible Series; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993).

Seitz, C. R., Prophecy and Hermeneutics: Toward a New Introduction to the Prophets (Studies in Theological Interpretation, 2; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007).

Sicre, J. L., Profetismo en Israel. El Profeta. Los Profetas. El Mensaje (Estella [Navarra]; Verbo Divino, 1992); = Profetismo in Israele. Il profeta i profeti – il messaggio (Roma: Borla, 1995); = Profetismo em Israel. O Profeta, os Profetas, a Mensagem (Petrópolis, RJ: Vozes, 1996).

Spreafico, A., La voce di Dio. Per capire i profeti Seconda edizione ampliata (Studi biblici, 33; Bologna: Edizioni Dehoniane [EDB], 2003). [first edition 1998]

Stulman, L. – H. C. P. Kim, You Are My People: An Introduction to Prophetic Literature (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2010).

Sweeney, M. A., The Prophetic Literature (Interpreting Biblical Texts; Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2005).

III.    Some recent basic introductions for the general reader

Abella, J., Profeti: perchè il popolo viva (Lettura pastorale della Bibbia. Sez.: Bibbia e spiritualità Parola-Missione; Bologna: Edizioni Dehoniane, 1997).

Heaton, E. W., A Short Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets (Oxford: Oneworld, 1996).

Hutton, R. R., Fortress Introduction to the Prophets (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004).

Leclerc, T. L., Introduction to the Prophets: Their Stories, Sayings, and Scrolls (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 2007).

Matthews, V. H., 101 Questions and Answers on the Prophets of Israel (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 2007).

Ravasi, G., I profeti (Parola di vita; Milano: Àncora, 41998). [earlier editions: 1975; 1986; 1990]

Sharp, C. J., Old Testament Prophets for Today (For Today Series; Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2009).

Zucker, D. J., Israel's Prophets: An Introduction for Christians and Jews (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 1994).



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