The Book of Jeremiah (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament | NICOT)

by John A. Thompson

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1980

Overview

The Old Testament prophets played a crucial role in the history of Israel. Although there were many prophets who brought the message of God to his people, we have records of only a few. Of these, our knowledge of Jeremiah is probably the most complete. In this commentary, J. A. Thompson examines the book of Jeremiah with its message urging the people of Israel to be true to their covenant Lord and to live in conformity with his covenant requirements.

Thompson begins his study by looking at the role of the prophets in Israel, and Jeremiah’s place among them. He then discusses the historical setting of Jeremiah’s message. From this background, Thompson moves to an examination of the book of Jeremiah itself, focusing on its structure and composition before considering some important issues for exegesis—the date of Jeremiah’s call, the significance of the symbolic actions he used, and the relationship between Jeremiah and Hosea. Lastly, Thompson examines the text and poetic forms of Jeremiah.

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Key Features

• Verse-by-verse commentary
• In-depth discussion of textual and critical matters
• Introduction to the authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology of Jeremiah

Contents

Top Highlights

“The charge to Jeremiah was threefold: Brace yourself; speak Yahweh’s word; don’t be dismayed.” (Page 156)

“Part of the problem is that the book of Jeremiah, like other prophetic books, is not a book in the modern sense but rather a collection of prophetic oracles and other materials which have passed through a long and complex history of transmission.” (Page 27)

“Israel had reached a point in its spiritual history when it did not need a new revelation from God so much as the will to respond to the revelation already given.” (Pages 260–261)

“In many ways Manasseh, the grandfather of Josiah, was the catalyst to many of the evils in Judah to which Jeremiah drew attention in his preaching. In his day Judah was a vassal state of Assyria, and had been since 732 b.c.” (Page 11)

“Assyria’s power began to wane after the death of Ashurbanipal in 627 b.c., the year in which Jeremiah began his career as a prophet.” (Page 14)

Praise for the Print Edition

This is by far the most comprehensive work that has been done on the prophet Jeremiah. This is an excellent work that is sure to become the classical major study of this prophet. A must for any serious student of the Bible.

—Southwestern Journal of Theology

Thompson’s Jeremiah rivals John Bright’s commentary as the best in English on Jeremiah. His highly competent treatment lends itself to use by scholars and teachers as well as for sermon preparation and personal study.

—Christianity Today

An outstanding commentary that is bound to become a standard classic for English-speaking students.

—Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

A helpful conservative commentary on Jeremiah for years to come.

—Bibliotheca Sacra

Product Details

• Title: The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Jeremiah
• Author: J. A. Thompson
• Series: New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 1980
• Pages: 831

About John A. Thompson

The late John A. Thompson was the first director of the Australian Institute of Archaeology in Melbourne. While in Melbourne, he lectured in the School of Middle Eastern Studies at the University, and was lecturer in Old Testament studies in the Baptist Theological College of New South Wales. Making a special study of biblical archaeology, Thompson engaged in field work with ASOR at Roman Jericho and at Dibon in Transjordan. He held degrees from the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne in science, the arts, and divinity. His doctorate came from the University of Cambridge, UK, in Oriental Studies. He authored The Bible and Archaeology as well as the volume on 1st & 2nd Chronicles that is part of The New American Commentary (31 vols.).