My Servants the Prophets

by Edward Joseph Young

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1983

Overview

In this authoritative study of the prophets, Edward Young first considers what the Old Testament says about the origin of prophecy and the prophetic institution, and then deals with questions of the position of the prophet in the Divine economy, the relation between false and true prophets, and the relation of the prophets to the world in which they lived.

Key Features

• Discusses the relation between false and true prophets
• Explores the role of prophets in the ancient Near East
• Examines the Old Testament testimony about the origins of prophecy and the prophetic institution

Contents

• The Divine Origin Of The Prophetic Institution
• Moses And The Prophets
• The Terminology of Prophetism
• Prophecy And The Theocracy
• The Schools Of The Prophets
• The Prophet And The Church
• Prophets False And True
• Were The Prophets Writers?
• The Prophets As Recepients Of Revelation
• Conclusion
• Appendix-Extra-Biblical “Prophecy” In The Ancient World

Top Highlights

“custom of passing one’s son and daughter through the fire.” (Page 21)

“If, however, the people of Israel were not permitted to use the sources of information which the Canaanites regularly consulted, where would Israel learn that which was necessary for her life in Palestine? Moses is now ready with the answer.³² ‘A prophet from thy midst, from thy brethren, like me will the Lord thy God raise up to thee; unto him thou shalt hearken’ (Deut. 18:15).” (Page 27)

“Two other words are also used, namely ro’eh and hozeh, which are practical synonyms. Both stress the method of receiving revelation, namely, seeing. At the same time, the function of those who are designated by these terms is that of declaring the word of God. The three words, therefore, are used to designate the same individual, namely, the prophet.” (Page 66)

“God will Himself raise up for them a Prophet who will act as a mediator between themselves and God, and who will also speak unto them all the words which God will place in his mouth.” (Page 13)

“Here it may be clearly seen that prophesying and declaring the word of the Lord are one and the same thing.” (Page 68)

Praise for the Print Edition

Dr. E. J. Young has again brought to the Christian trade a work which excels in its biblical content. This text on the prophetic institution is not a run-of-the-mill work in either its thesis or presentation. The literary style is a blend of simplicity and lucidity. The thesis cuts across the general view concerning the correct basis for interpreting the prophets and advances a strict adherence to the rule, “let Scripture interpret Scripture”.

—Christian Life

This reviewer must confess that he is impressed with the saneness and thoroughness of Dr. Young’s exegetical technique. Dr. Young is obviously a scholar of no mean ability; and this book, as well as others by him . . . , provides ample proof that he has been well trained in the field of Semitic philology.

—Interpretation

Product Details

• Title: My Servants the Prophets
• Author: Edward J. Young
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 1952
• Pages: 232
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Prophetic Books

About Edward Joseph Young

Edward J. Young (1907–1968) was an Old Testament scholar and professor at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned an AB from Stanford University, a ThB and ThM from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Dropsie College. Young wrote The Book of Isaiah, An Introduction to the Old Testament, and many other academic works.