The Prophets of Israel: Walking the Ancient Paths

by James K. Hoffmeier

Publisher:

Kregel

, 2021

Overview

Seeing the biblical prophets in context makes all the difference in understanding their messages.

In The Prophets of Israel, Old Testament scholar and longtime field archaeologist James K. Hoffmeier explores the biblical prophets through their ancient settings. Readers gain a more accurate and comprehensive understanding through many practical components:

• Full-color photos and images of historical and cultural importance
• Focus on the geopolitical contexts of the prophets
• Clear explanations of the prophets’ provoking messages
• Discussion questions for Bible students or instructor use

These features and photos vividly illustrate the biblical narratives and the prophets’ concerns, helping readers better comprehend each text's message and make informed theological applications.

The biblical prophetic tradition extends far before and far after the Major and Minor Prophets. Yet all biblical prophets—including recognizable figures like Moses and Elijah, lesser-known prophets like Huldah and Micaiah, and the New Testament prophets—ministered in distinctive cultural and historical circumstances. Hoffmeier draws on his extensive knowledge of ancient Near Eastern culture, geography, political realities, and the Old Testament message to locate the prophets in their worlds. This approach illuminates prophetic messages and ministries with a theological clarity that basic history and literary interpretation cannot achieve.

Key Features

• Explores the biblical prophets through their ancient settings
• Focuses on the geopolitical contexts of the prophets
• Helps readers better comprehend each text’s message and make informed theological applications

Contents

Top Highlights

“it was the first time that a prophet went on the record with such a prophecy concerning Jerusalem.” (Page 234)

“God’s priority was not on temple worship and cultic acts, but on the quality of one’s life and obedience” (Page 232)

“Here, however, there is a threefold occurrence of ‘holy’ acting as a ‘super superlative” (Page 208)

“instead of it being when God takes on the enemies of Judah, Judah becomes the victim of the day of the Lord,” (Page 243)

“they must be regarded as symptoms of a deeper religious or spiritual malady: faithlessness to God” (Pages 232–233)

Product Details

• Title: The Prophets of Israel: Walking the Ancient Paths
• Author: James K. Hoffmeier
• Publisher: Kregel
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Pages: 398
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible › Prophets--Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780825445729, 0825445728
• Resource ID: LLS:PRPHTSSRLNCPTHS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-10-13T13:26:11Z