Customer Reviews

The Twelve Prophets (Soncino Books of the Bible)

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A long time standard for anyone interested in the Hebrew Bible, this book gives the complete Hebrew text, a complete English translation, and a selective English commentary digest based on classic Bible scholars as well as historians. This book opened up the Hebrew Bible to me in a way that satisfied me religiously, intellectually and academically. Good job!

This is a great tool for the student working on Hebrew text and preaching in English. However, the used book sellers are asking almost double what the publisher charges for a new copy of this volume. I find the prices here a to be a real gouge. Why should we pay $32 for a book that the publisher lists the retail price at $18 and is selling for $17 to the public?

This book has a lot of helpful Hebrew language information laid out in a very readable form. For example, in Micah 1 the author summarizes with helpful detail the play on words that exists for several verses. To a non-Hebrew reader, this is very helpful because the commentaries do not give a thorough summary (at least the ones I've read) which conveys the broadness and linguistic impact of these 'puns'. The bottom line is that this tool gives a very helpful Hebrew snapshot for any English reader. Exceptionally well done.

I ought to point out that the author is a Rabbi, so that ought to be borne in mind with respect to Christologically oriented prophecies.

Micah's message:

"Against the moral and social evils of his day Micah received the call to prophesy...he also saw clearly that a society built on tyranny, corruption, and false standards of wealth was a society doomed to destruction...he fearlessly denounces the demoralizing pursuit of wealth, which was a denial of the demands of righteousness made by G-d upon man.

He inveighs against the seizure of houses and estates, the expropriation of peasants, the cruel use of the rights of creditors, the corruption of rulers and judges, and the venality of priests and prophets who lived by flattery of the rich....

And over against the injustice, cruelty, and luxurious ostentation of his age, he states in simple terms the essence of G-d's demands:

Justice, Mercy and Modesty." Rev Dr. A. Cohen MA PhD DHL

And to think there are 11 other similar commentaries to be found in this Hebrew translation/commentary of the minor prophets in the (what Christians call) Old Testament (my favorite).

If you are a bible student in seminary, you don't know what you're missing when you bypass jewish commentaries. I don't agree with absolutely everything, but they always challenge my thinking and sometimes, the commentators are more than right on target. I bought my copy in Boston at a jewish bookstore and have nearly the whole series. They're all wonderful.