The Elusive Prophet: The Prophet as a Historical Person, Literary Character and Anonymous Artist (Oudtestamentische studien): 45 (Oudtestamentische Studiën, Old Testament Studies) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9004121609 ISBN 13: 9789004121607

Publisher: Brill, 2001

Synopsis

The Israelite prophets as historical persons, as literary characters and as anonymous artists. Whereas modern methods of literary analysis have brought the artistic qualities of the books of the Prophets increasingly into focus during the past century, various modes of deconstruction have made the historical prophets themselves an ever more elusive phenomenon. Passages in the Old Testament describing their work and experiences are not read as biography anymore, but as literary fiction intended to picture the prophets as heroes of faith. The real 'prophets' were the anonymous artists who were responsible for the final editing of the legacy of the historical prophets and who often used the authority of their predecessors to promulgate their own theological views. This volume brings together studies about this theme by members of the British and Dutch societies for Old Testament study. Attempts to recover some of the biographical data and authentic experiences of the prophets alternate with penetrating analyses of the theological depth and stylistic virtuosity of the prophetic books.The volume will be particularly useful to all those interested in the interpretation of the prophetic books of the Old Testament.

About this title

Synopsis:

Passages in the Old Testament describing the Israelite prophets work and experiences are not read as biography anymore, but as literary fiction. The real "prophets" were the artists responsible for the final editing of the legacy of the historical prophets. This volume offers studies on this theme.

About the Author:

Johannes C. de Moor, Ph.D. (1971) Free University, Amsterdam, is Professor Emeritus of Semitic languages at Kampen, The Netherlands. He is editor of several international series, among them Oudtestamentische Studien.

About this edition

• Publisher: Brill
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 9004121609
• ISBN 13: 9789004121607
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 266
• Editor: De Moor Johannes