ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the second division of the Hebrew Bible known as the Prophets (Neviʾim). This division is typically understood as having two parts: the Former Prophets, comprising the Books of Joshua through Kings (with the exception of Ruth), and the Latter Prophets, comprising Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). This chapter first discusses the story that scholars tell about the Former Prophets before turning to the story that these biblical books tell. Next, the scholarly story of the Latter Prophets is recounted before covering the story that these books contain. This chapter concludes with two things that the Prophets “are all about”: God’s mirror and God’s mishpat-and-tzedeqah (justice and righteousness). Suggestions for further reading are included.
