The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah
Restore columns
Exit Fullscreen

The Books of

NAHUM, HABBAKKUK, AND ZEPHANIAH

O. Palmer Robertson

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Copyright © 1990 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

255 Jefferson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503

All rights reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Robertson, O. Palmer

The Books of Nahum, Habbakkuk, and Zephaniah

(The New international commentary on the Old Testament)

Includes bibliographical references.

1. Bible. O.T. Nahum—Commentaries.

2. Bible. O.T. Habakkuk—

3. Bible. O.T. Zephaniah—Commentaries.
I. Title. II. Series.

BS1625.3.R63 1990 224´.9—dc20 89–28141 CIP

ISBN 0-8028-2374-2

Scripture taken from the NEW ENGLISH BIBLE

Copyright © 1990 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Used by Permission.

To my beloved
“The heart of her husband trusts in her”
Proverbs 31:11

CONTENTS

Title Page

Author’s Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

i. Redemptive-Historical Setting

A. The Triumphs of Faith in the Days of Hezekiah (715–687 b.c.)

B. The Dark Days of Unbelief under Manasseh (687–642 b.c.) and Amon (642–640 b.c.)

C. Reformation under Josiah (640–609 b.c.)

D. Final Destruction under the Sons and Grandson of Josiah (609–587 b.c.)

ii. Theological Perspective

A. Messianism in the Seventh-Century b.c. Prophets

B. The Centrality of God

1. The Justice of God

2. The Judgment of God

3. The Covenant of God

4. The Salvation of God

iii. Shape of the Prophecies

A. Styles

B. Structures

C. Poetical Parallelism

iv. Date and Authorship

A. Nahum

B. Zephaniah

C. Habakkuk

v. Unity and Authenticity

vi. Text

vii. Canon

viii. Analysis of Contents

ix. Select Bibliography

A. General Works

B. Nahum

C. Habakkuk

D. Zephaniah

The Book of Nahum

Superscription (1:1)

i. Public Announcement of Nineveh’s Judgment (1:2–14)

A. The Awesome Terror of God’s Judgment (1:2–6)

1. His Person as Judge (1:2–3)

2. His Action as Judge (1:4–5)

3. Your Stance before Him as Judge (1:6)

B. The Specific Target of God’s Judgment (1:7–11)

1. Judgment in a Context of God’s Care for His Own (1:7)

2. Judgment Directed Specifically against Seventh-Century b.c. Assyria (1:8–11)

C. The Imminent Character of God’s Judgment (1:12–14)

1. Judgment Now Despite Assyrian Strength (1:12a)

2. Judgment Now as Relief from Judah’s Suffering (1:12b–13)

3. Judgment Now as the Lord Has Decreed (1:14)

ii. Dramatic Depiction of Nineveh’s Judgment (2:1–14 [Eng. 1:15–2:13])

Introduction: The Announcement of Accomplished Judgment Means Joyful News for Judah (2:1 [Eng. 1:15])

A. The City is Taken (2:2–8 [Eng. 1–7])

1. Announcement of the Coming Siege (2:2–3 [Eng. 1–2])

2. Approach of the Assaulters (2:4–5 [Eng. 3–4])

3. Resistance of the Inhabitants (2:6 [Eng. 5])

4. Entry is Gained (2:7 [Eng. 6])

5. The City Falls (2:8 [Eng. 7])

B. The City is Plundered (2:9–11 [Eng. 8–10])

C. The City is Humbled (2:12–14 [Eng. 11–13])

1. A Mockery Song of the City (2:12 [Eng. 11])

2. The Brutality of the City (2:13 [Eng. 12])

3. The Lord Speaks against the City (2:14 [Eng. 13])

iii....

Content not shown in limited preview…
NICOT Na/Hab/Zep

About The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah

The close-knit bond between prophecy and history, according to O. Palmer Robertson, becomes particularly clear through the study of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. As the historical context of their messages is explored, it becomes ever more apparent that biblical history—in addition to providing the context for prophecy—actually embodies and functions as prophecy. The events that occurred to Judah and its neighbors spoke in anticipation of world-shaking circumstances that were yet to come.

In this commentary Robertson combines the insights of biblical theology with a keen awareness of the age in which we live. After first dealing with the relevant background issues of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah—redemptive-historical setting, theological perspective, date and authorship, and so on—Robertson applies the care and precision of an exegete and the concern of a pastor to his verse-by-verse exposition of each book. The result is a relevant confrontation with the ancient call to repentance and faith—a confrontation greatly needed in today’s world.

Support Info

nicot34na

Table of Contents