Customer Reviews

Book of Amos (Old Testament Library)

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Dr. J. Jeremias' scholarship of this first "writing" prophet, Amos, critical text is superb scholarship. He handles the usual burden of the historical commentaries which precede his commentary with the usual aplomb and diligence one requires of a Commentator on the ancient classical Hebrew texts.

This is a book one must have in one's library, if one is a serious student of Hebrew theological literature and scribal literary culture. The 'real' portions of the texts by the Eighth century [860-850 B.C.E.] Prophet demand reading by our age as we enter our "evil times"; his message is simple if one is to improve one's society: love the good and hate the evil!

I will add more to this review as I re-read his commentary for the fourth time; furthermore, I must re-read the Hebrew text (which I am currently doing) carefully. Amos has been in my consciousness for more than 30 years; one never grows tired of reading and re-reading the Hebrew text with its delicacies of grammar, rhetorical style and sublime poetical structures [assonance, inclusio, repetition, woe oracles, divine & prophetic oracles, etc].

Respectfully,


John E.D.P. Malin
Chairman of the Board
Informatica Corporation
School Street
P. O. Drawer 460
Cecilia, LA 70521-0460

I was introduced to this commentary when I studied Amos in seminary, and I found it extremely helpful.

As someone who does not read Hebrew, I needed a well-researched resource that would draw my attention the key facts. Jeremias does this in a way that I can understand. While Amos is not a well-preached book of the Bible, it is an excellent source when we discuss social issues, and I keep this book at hand to draw upon.

Just a note - this is a scholarly commentary, rather than a preaching commentary. It discusses the text, leaving you to draw your own conclusions, so if you are looking for something to help you preach a series, consider this a foundational book (like a dictionary) rather than the only resource you use.