Elaine Phillips 
Obadiah, Jonah and Micah [EPUB ebook] 

Editors’ preface ix

Author’s preface xi

Abbreviations xiii

Glossary xx

General introduction 1

1. Approach and methodology 1

2. Rhetorical and literary considerations 3

2.1 Poetic considerations 4

2.2 Elements of narrative 6

2.3 The Book of the Twelve 7

3. Biblical theology serving the church 9

4. Text and notes 10

OBADIAH

Introduction 13

1. Title, author, and audience(s) 13

2. Guiding questions 14

3. History of a troubled relationship 14

3.1 Jacob and Esau 14

3.2 Israel/Judah and Edom 14

3.3 Edom in the Prophets and Psalms 15

4. Geopolitical Edom 17

5. Literary and rhetorical considerations 18

5.1 Structure and unity of the text 18

5.2 Prophetic rhetoric 19

5.3 Oral discourse / written intertextuality 19

5.4 Obadiah and Jeremiah 49 20

5.5 Fulfilment and prophetic discourse 22

6. Possible historical contexts 22

7. Theological connections 24

7.1 Placement in the canon 24

7.2 Primary theological emphases 25

8. Texts 26

9. Outline 27

Text and commentary 29

JONAH

Introduction 67

1. Approach to the text 67

2. Identity of Jonah 69

3. Historical contexts 70

3.1 Assyrian geopolitics in the ninth and eighth centuries bc 70

3.2 Compositional time frames: overview 72

3.3 Possible compositional contexts: reflections 73

4. Literary artistry 75

4.1 Macrostructures 75

4.2 Narrative features 76

4.3 Poetry 78

4.4 Intertextual connections 79

4.5 Unity of the text 80

4.6 Genre and why it matters 81

4.7 Narrative theology 84

5. Brief history of interpretation 86

6. Presumed purposes: an overview 86

6.1 Polemic against Jewish exclusivism 87

6.2 Commentary on the prophetic role 87

6.3 Relationship with Yhwh 88

6.4 Additional reflections: justice and mercy 89

7. Among the twelve 90

8. Text and translation 91

9. Outline 92

Text and commentary 93

MICAH

Introduction 171

1. Why approach to the study matters 171

2. The geographical, historical and cultural backdrop 172

2.1 Geography of the eastern Mediterranean 172

2.2 Narrowing the focus to Micah’s region 173

2.3 Cities of the Shephelah 173

2.4 Weaving together the geographical, historical and

cultural fabric 175

3. Micah among the prophets and the Book of the Twelve –

canonical context 177

4. Theological emphases – Micah and the covenant 178

4.1 The covenant Name 178

4.2 Yhwh’s presence with the people 179

4.3 Covenant disputes 180

4.4 Covenant infidelity and consequences 180

4.5 Prophetic hope articulated and fulfilled 180

4.6 The remnant 181

5. Prophetic rhetoric: reading passionate poetic discourse 181

6. Structures and implications 183

7. When were these oracles spoken and compiled? 184

8. Excursus: Micah 4:1–5 and Isaiah 2:2–5 186

9. Texts and translations 188

10. Outline 189

Text and commentary 191

Bibliography 354

Index of Scripture references and ancient sources 369

Index of authors 385

Index of subjects 389