Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

by Willem A. VanGemeren

The diversity of prophetic voices in the Bible provides a message that is rich and variegated. But the variety of the testimony can be lost by limiting one's interpretations or application of the prophetic word. Interpreting the Prophetic Word helps readers understand the harmony of the voices that reveal God's purposes in redemptive history. Dr. Willem VanGemeren explains clearly and fully the background of the prophetic tradition. He then interprets the message of the major and minor prophets, using historical context and literary form and structure as tools in his analysis. He concludes with an explanation of the relevance of the prophetic word today. Dr. VanGemeren's extensive research and scholarship is presented in a readable way to unlock the door of prophecy for readers. He helps them to interpret prophecy and invites them to listen to the prophets and to lives the prophetic word.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Old Testament, Reference, Christian, Textbooks, Religion

856 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1990

Reviews

[Rick Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly helpful book in looking at the Old Testament Prophets. I definitely recommend it.
Just skip the last chapter. He gets all anti-Constantine and, for lack of a better word, premillennial.

[Drew Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a good introduction to prophetic literature in general, as well as a serviceable introduction to each of the individual prophets of the old testament separately. VanGemeren discusses the nature and uniqueness of prophetic utterances and prophetic literature, overarching themes of the prophets, context and tradition, etc. There is also a section devoted to each book/prophet which addresses the individual prophet's time, literary form and structure of the book, and the main theme(s) and message of the book. I did not read the chapters covering the larger prophets.

[Eric Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful starting point for understanding the prophets. Really good book for special introduction, themes, structure, summary, etc. Definitely should be close by if you are preaching/teaching on the prophetic corpus.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chapters which summarize the office of a prophet are super helpful. The final chapter's application of the prophetic office to our situation is very profound. VanGemeren has a ton to teach us about the God of the Old Testament prophets.
The middle chapters which summarize the emphasis of each individual book is lengthy and less helpful. Some of the sections are much longer than the prophetic books themselves without much insight that would come beyond simply reading the Bible itself.

[Daniel Ligon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, though a bit dense and technical at times. This book serves a dual purpose, containing overviews of each OT prophetic book, as well as more generally discussing common themes from the genre as a whole. One helpful aspect is that rather than focusing on narrowly futurist interpretations, the author seeks patterns of fulfillment that may be found in multiple historical events. This includes a broad, rather than narrow, view of eschatology (more about what God will do and how His people should respond, rather than being about finding an exact timeline). Recommended.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for Prophetic books: date, literary form/structure, and themes of each book.

Each chapter concludes with helpful questions for further discussion.

Perspective of Author: Presbyterian, theologically conservative.

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall very helpful. Could be used alongside your reading or preaching of the prophets quite easily, to help you see the general flow, theology, and historical setting.
Some of VanGemeren’s conclusion felt unsubstantiated in the sense that it was the right doctrine from the wrong text.

[Melissa]

Simeon trust

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this for a class in the prophets back in 2004. Since then, I have returned to it as a reference several times. VanGemeren does an outstanding job of combining historical context, literary structure, theme, message and application.

One of the elements I found most helpful, especially the first time through, was the fact that at the end of each chapter the author included a list of questions and issues that would be suitable for group discussion or for individual study.

This is not a verse-by-verse commentary, so don't expect to get that kind of detailed explanations from it. It is, however, an excellent way to get the big picture in view before and during your study of Old Testament prophetic literature.

[J. Rutherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vangemeren has produced a rich volume with many helfpul insights for interperting the prophetic books as a whole and each individually. The scope he has attempted, covering all the OT prophetic books, as unfortunately led to less insightful treatment of the individual books themselves, especially with regard to books were scholarly work is not great at the momement (namely, Habakkuk). The book is also already beginning to be dated: with regard to the Twelve, the last 26 years of publications on the unity of these books are not discussed.
(A full review is available on my blog, http://wp.me/p2qVsi-kV)

[Joshua Molden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic work on the prophets in the Old Testament. VanGemeren goes through the major and minor prophets, addressing when they were written and how the message of the prophets is so connected. It is a hefty read but it is well worth the read if you are desiring to grow in your understanding of the prophets.

[Nathan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the best books I've covered about Biblical prophecy. I read it while in class with the author and therefore saw many of the amazing insights come to life in his lectures. I'm a biased big fan of Dr. Vangemeren so this is not a fair review other than the fact that the material is out of the box and it honors more than just the tradition that it was born out of.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to research for a paper, and it proved quite valuable. I especially appreciated Vangemeren's  contrast between the prophetic message and the "Vox populi" and "Realpolitik" of the Israelites.  Also encouraging was Vangemeren attitide about Christ.  He shows how the Old Testament prophets looked forward to Jesus, and he closes the loop satisfyingly.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Introductions for all the prophetic books. Demonstrates how the prophets warned against political pragmatism and majority rule. Lots of contemporary relevance.

[Galyn Wiemers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am using this book (again) to study the meaning of "the day of the Lord"

[Jinny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. vanGemeren provides different frameworks for looking at the Old Testament in this book and makes excellent connections to the New Testament as well. He's a very entertaining professor.

[Chris Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to the prophets.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good resource and overview of the prophetical books. It's a bit dry, but it works best as a reference and summary of each book.

[Nathan Leopard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent introduction to the OT Prophets, and OT prophecy, from a Reformed perspective.

[Mark Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding introduction the the Old Testament prophetic literature.

[Jeff Boettcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good resource for studying the prophets. A little dry, but very helpful