Description:
The Book of Zephaniah poses a full range of interpretive and hermenutical issues for the modern reader. Sweeney's keen reading of this small, prophetic book opens new doors for Hebrew Bible research. He situates the reading of Zephaniah in the early sixth century b.c.e. rather than the late seventh century b.c.e.
Sweeney's interpretation pays close attention to the often subtle differences between the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, Peshitta, and targums. His methodology includes form criticism, tradition history, and social history.
Key Features:
Critical and historical commentary on this prophetic book of the Hebrew Bible
Strong text-critical analysis
Locates book in Israel's history and Ancient Near Eastern context
Brief description:
Paul D. Hanson, editor, is the Florence Corliss Lamont Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School. He is the author of numerous works including The Dawn of Apocalyptic and The People Called.