Commentary on the Twelve Prophets (Fathers of the Church) [Hardcover]

Theodore of Mopsuestia (Author), Robert C. Hill (Author, Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 081320108X | ISBN-13: 978-0813201085 | Publication Date: March 2004

Friend of John Chrysostom and pupil of Diodore of Tarsus, the founder of the method of exegesis practiced in Antioch, Theodore was appointed bishop of Mopsuestia in Cilicia in 392. His pedigree thus seems impeccable, as was his early reputation as a commentator on the Bible, which earned him the sobriquet "The Interpreter." More than one modern scholar has been prepared to class Theodore as "the foremost exponent of Antiochene exegesis." Yet not long after his death in 428—coincidentally, but significantly, the year Nestorius acceded to the see of Constantinople—Theodore became the object of intemperate criticism by the likes of Cyril of Alexandria for his Christological views. His works were condemned by the fifth ecumenical council of 553, and only the Commentary on the Twelve Prophets, here appearing in English for the first time, survives entirely in Greek.

It would not have been this work that earned Theodore an unsavory reputation. Though he is typically Antiochene in focusing on the historical background of each of the Twelve prophets, and thus avoids the elaborate search after levels of spiritual meaning he would have found in the Alexandrian Didymus, he engages in no Christological debate, simply setting the divine economy as the context of the prophets’ ministry. He moves systematically through the Twelve in the order they appear in the Antioch text (itself an object of interest to students of the Septuagint), despite his lack of Hebrew and of familiarity with the genre of apocalyptic. If we regret his insensitivity to the more moving criticism of social injustice in these prophets, we concede he has succeeded in his aim, "With God’s grace, to bring clarity" to the Twelve, and are grateful that the work escaped the flames of prejudice.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert C. Hill is retired from the faculties at the University of Sydney and the Australian Catholic University and continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the Australian Catholic University. He has translated many volumes in the Fathers of the Church Series, particularly those of the Old Testament commentaries of the Antioch Fathers, including John Chrysostom’s Commentary on Genesis and Theodoret’s Commentary on the Psalms.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Catholic Univ of Amer Pr (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081320108X
• ISBN-13: 978-0813201085
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,892,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, September 5, 2011

By 

Simon - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Commentary on the Twelve Prophets (Fathers of the Church) (Hardcover)

Theodore of Mopsuestia certainly steers away from allegorical exegesis. In fact of all the men of the early church I have read this one most reminds me of the current kind of exegesis that scholars use today where allegory is basically shunned. Theodore hardly ever pulls away much from the immediate text under his interpretive attention, Christ for example is very rarely mentioned, rather the prophets' words are mostly applied more to their time or at least pre-incarnation.
The form in which he interprets is frequently to -following quotation of the text- to offer a paraphrase.

Perhaps some will see this exegesis as unadventurous; nevertheless this is what Theodore wrote.