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Handbook on the Prophets

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Like the other books in this series, 'Handbook on the Prophets' is a highly useful and accessible text. Baker Book House also published 'Handbook on the Pentateuch' many years ago, which has become a widely read book, and 'Handbook on the Historical Books' just a few years ago. Chisholm's book is a welcome part of this collection.

This is not a verse by verse commentary on the prophetic books of the Hebrew scripture. Rather, this is a more general commentary that looks as pericopes (logical blocks of text that flow together) as units. Each chapter (or, in the case of the minor prophets, sub-chapter) has an introduction that gives the basic historical and social background, pertinent linguistic and literary information, and general structural and contextual themes.

The longest chapter, as befits its subject among the prophets, is on Isaiah. This gives a good indication of the kind of commentary Chisholm produces. In the discussion on the authorship of Isaiah, he puts forward the theory that the author of 'First Isaiah' (Isaiah 1-39) is different from the author of 'Second Isaiah' (Isaiah 40-66); perhaps there is even an 'Third Isaiah' (Isaiah 56-66) distinct from the other two. However, Chisholm prefers the more traditional idea that there is but one author of Isaiah. Rather than dealing with the multiple-author theory, he rather sets it forward as a scholarly possibility, but concentrates his writing on the single-author text. From this, one can see from this that Chisholm's interpretative framework is a more traditional and conservative one, but not one that does excludes alternatives.

One of the strengths of this text lies in the bibliographies -- this commentary is not a book by scholars for scholars, but does not ignore that consideration. After each section there are bibliographies of commentaries and of recent studies. Chisholm tends to include works published after the 1980s, so this is a good snapshot of work done in the past decade.

This book is really aimed for the working minister, the individual and group-studying bible reader, and perhaps undergraduate students. It avoids the most advanced and technical language that tends to be the exclusive province of professional scholars and graduate students, yet it does not condescend or lack for insight because of this.

(PLEASE NOTE - THIS REVIEW WAS POSTED UNDER JOSH PLAZAK'S NAME, MY ROOMMATE, ACCIDENTALLY)

Chisholm's commentary proved insightful and will be a good resource for me in the future regarding my studies in The Word. I look forward to reading some more of his work now that I am a little more familiar with his hermeneutical slant and doctrinal leanings.

The overall outlines of each prophetical book was helpful. However, he or the editor grouped the Minor Prophets in one large heading which made it difficult to reference them as single books (the tops of the pages only said "Minor Prophets" and not the specific minor prophet). Even so, the outlines of some of the books by Chisholm were unique when compared to other scholars' outlines, making it helpful to see the book more comprehensively.

Chisholm made helpful textual analyses throughout his commentary, citing various places where questionable translating occurred in certain versions (often the NIV). He also showed his acumen analyzing the Hebrew text itself. These were often very technical footnotes which would be of value, I would assume, for those who are well versed in studying the ancient Hebrew text.

His one leaning that seemed questionable, though, was his tendency that seemed to generalize large portions of prophetical scripture as merely language used for exaggerated effect. It is not that Chisholm did not evaluate and comment on various opinions on texts that he believed were better off seen as exaggerations - he did take time to do this. However, in some cases his stance to see certain passages as merely "exaggerations for effect" seemed to ignore or not account better for specific details that implicitly seemed to require more of an explanation that one of hyperbole.

The other bittersweet part of Chisholm's commentary is his desire, it seems, to allow for beginning level students of The Word taste The Word fully. For those who have perhaps spent a couple years in study of Scripture (like myself), some of his comments seemed redundant. Even so, he would at other times jump from redundant comments about God's work in the past (which should never get old J) and then discuss deep theological tenets and textual issues, grabbing the attention of the more novice reader, perhaps even advanced.

I will be likely referencing this book in the future and look forward to reading more Chisholm. His bibliography at the end of each book is also helpful. It is a valuable and insightful resource to see the number of articles and commentaries out there on The Prophets.

Throughout the semester the text Chisholm's Handbook on the prophets has been a valuable resource for me as far as research and collecting a different opinion goes. This book offers a thorough and insightful introduction for any student studying the Old Testament Prophetic literature. Rather than attempting to provide a detailed verse-by-verse commentary, this handbook focused on the prevailing themes and central messages of the prophetic books. In the text, Chisholm starts every chapter with a brief analysis of the historical and social setting of the book under discussion. Chisholm works his way through the writings describing the structure, content, and important concepts found in the text. Chisholm made it vital to examine and review critical issues whenever they are important for the interpretation of a particular passage. However, he focused more broadly on the theological themes that characterize the work as a whole. Students in seminary and of the advanced biblical studies would find this volume enlightening and extremely helpful as they make their way through the prophetical books. This handbook on the prophets will also be a good resource for pastors and teachers to use in their teaching and research of this portion of scripture.

I appreciate Chisolm's commitment to the Biblical text, and to the grammatical-historical setting. I have used the book primarily in connection with teaching through Isaiah. I also use Chisolm's "From Exegesis to Exposition" to help with grammatical matters.

Easy to read summary of the prophets with lots of good interpretations. Good to use with the RSV & NJB.

Thorough look at the Major and Minor Prophetic books in the Bible. What can really be said? The author knows his history and brings out the background to the various books. Though scholarly, this is very readable. Similar to a commentary in style, there is no application given though, just the facts. For those interested in learning more about the Prophetic books, this is your starting place.

Got it quickly. Is a great manual...required for my class! Don't agree with him on his quite "non-traditional" approach to several things, but overall, Chisholm offers a fine survey of the prophets.

The Handbook on the prophets by Robert B. Chisholm Jr. is a wonderful overview of the prophets of the Bible. From the lengthy introduction of Isaiah and the weeping prophet Jeremiah to Malachi and the cleansing of a community the Handbook on the Prophets is a great guide to growing in knowledge of the prophets of the Bible.
With the continuous commentary that is the basis of this book as opposed to a technical verse-by-verse breakdown of scripture the handbook on the Prophets allows for a smooth read. With each section, the layperson as well as the deep theological thinker can enjoy reading a general overview that gradually develops into a deeper analysis. This book can add to any library handsomely as well as academically.
The manner in which this book is written allows for the reader to open the book to any chapter and gain an understanding on any prophet quickly and with easy. All in all the Handbook on the Prophets is a great read filled with easy to grasp information about each prophet. This book will allow from the deepest thinkers to the layperson the ability to understand and grow in the knowledge of God while committing to devotional type reading.

Chisholm's book on the Prophets was a textbook used for one of my classes. As far as I know, not a single person read more than one chapter because of Chisholm's views. Most any Bible believing Christian will find this book to be horrible. Chisholm denies so much of the Bible and makes so many claims that what is in the Bible is false and untrue. If you are a serious student of the Word of God, you will get very angry reading this book. If you are a liberal, then it's right up your alley.