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A Commentary on the Book of the Twelve: The Minor Prophets
The books of the twelve Minor Prophets are some of the least studied by Christians today, but they contain some of the great themes of Scripture, such as God's mercy and judgment, His covenant with Israel, the day of the Lord, and the coming of the Messiah. Arguing for a canonical unity that recognizes the Minor Prophets as one cohesive composition, Michael Shepherd explains the historical meaning of each verse of the twelve books and also provides guidance for application and preaching. Pastors, teachers, and serious students of Scripture will find a wealth of insights for understanding the Minor Prophets.
- GenresTheology
528 pages, Hardcover
Published June 26, 2018
7 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Michael B. Shepherd
12 books10 followersMichael B. Shepherd is the John and Allie Fogleman Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana as well as professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at the Caskey School of Divinity.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 16, 2024
I wouldn't want to teach through The Twelve without this at hand. I didn't follow everything, nor necessarily agree with everything, but it is overall a top notch resource.
This also confirmed for me that I do not care to read commentaries from cover to cover.
This also confirmed for me that I do not care to read commentaries from cover to cover.
May 18, 2020
This commentary will serve as a handy help to pastors and Bible students. Since there is only a little over 500 pages of actual commentary covering all 12 of the Minor Prophets, it is obvious that Mr. Shepherd has not attempted to produce the typical prolix commentary of our day. What he has provided, however, is direct help on grasping both the meaning and overarching theme of these prophets. His stated niche,that to my mind he has accomplished, is presenting these 12 prophets as a unified composition. In other words, instead of 12 random prophecies that so lacked cohesiveness that they were not even fully integrated within themselves, he paints a portrait of the Lord designing them as so unified that they should never be completely thought of by themselves. You can’t deny that that is a refreshing approach after years of commentators trying to decide if each passage within each of these prophecies is even legitimate!
It will be extra important to read the introduction to this work as he makes his case for the cohesiveness and unity of these prophecies. I personally thought this introduction read well and made a lot of sense.
The commentary proper lacks the thoroughness of some other works, but what he shares is good all around. Perhaps it shows the forest better than the trees, but that is no problem. There are plenty of other commentaries to analyze those trees!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
It will be extra important to read the introduction to this work as he makes his case for the cohesiveness and unity of these prophecies. I personally thought this introduction read well and made a lot of sense.
The commentary proper lacks the thoroughness of some other works, but what he shares is good all around. Perhaps it shows the forest better than the trees, but that is no problem. There are plenty of other commentaries to analyze those trees!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
April 19, 2025
I’m very impressed with the scholarship on a technical textual level, I share his “Sailhamer-informed” hermeneutics, and am delighted by his compilational, eschatological, and messianic approach to the Twelve.
However, the commentary isn’t laid out in a reader-friendly way. It’s hard to navigate. As some examples: the section of text being commented on isn’t found in the headings. His translation is very difficult to read because it’s interrupted by all the variations in other textual sources. Now, this is a welcome feature of the commentary, but the way it is displayed needed some more thought. I’m curious what kind of editorial treatment these commentaries receive.
However, the commentary isn’t laid out in a reader-friendly way. It’s hard to navigate. As some examples: the section of text being commented on isn’t found in the headings. His translation is very difficult to read because it’s interrupted by all the variations in other textual sources. Now, this is a welcome feature of the commentary, but the way it is displayed needed some more thought. I’m curious what kind of editorial treatment these commentaries receive.
October 5, 2021
Shepherd has given us a different sort of commentary on the Minor Prophets (or the Twelve) than what you are likely accustomed to. Some (like Marvin Sweeney) highlight common themes between the Twelve, and others (like James Nogalski) either trace the historical development of the Twelve through various hypothetical stages of redaction or editing or they do so with each book of the Minor Prophets, considering of what Amos said is really what Amos said or not. Shepherd considers the Twelve to be twelve separate prophets (16) who declared Gods word from the eighth century BC to the postexilic period. Yet as well, the collection had a final editor (16) who was a careful student of the book of Jeremiah, something Shepherd expounds upon throughout his commentary (14).
Instead of looking at the historical circumstances around each prophet, Shepherd looks at the final text as we have it today. He writes, This literary work refers to real events, but it now has a life of its own and creates a world of its own (18). This is not to deny nor question its historicity, but it is a matter of the books unique and revelatory depiction of things, in distinction from the events themselves (18).
After listing some historical evidence for the unity of the Twelve, Shepherd lists internal evidence for its composition (23). There are three components here that help us to identify the activity of the final composer:
1. Seams. These are pieces of text that connect the end of one book to the beginning of the next. The seams stand apart from the material that proceeds and follows (23).
2. Then we look at how the author develops Hosea 3:4 to 5.
3. Wherever the first two criterion are met… there is a citation from the book of Jeremiah (23).
This speaks of restoration… at the end of the days… in a new exodus… and in a new covenant relationship (25). Shepherd then shows the seams of each book before getting into his commentary. Being around 500 pages, Shepherds commentary isnt meant to be a proliferation of all the information you can find on the Twelve. Instead, he shows the overarching message that unifies them together as one book.
Shepherd doesnt look much at the historical circumstances of the prophets, and that is understandable. What strikes me as odd is that there is no outline for any of the prophets. One (mainly me) would think that for a commentary so focused on the text itself, there would be an outline of sorts showing how each prophet was written to be read and interpreted. Nevertheless, this is a great commentary.
Shepherd loads the commentary with references to other parts of Scripture. Sometimes this can seem overwhelming, but this is a benefit since it connects you to a wide range of OT texts, helping you to see, really, how its all connected. For some, the commentary text itself can seem stuffed and cluttered due to this, but I think the benefit outweighs the clutter.
Recommended
If youre a pastor, teacher, or layperson, these commentary is very helpful in giving you the lay of the land in the Twelve as well as seeing how they are a unity. Rather than reading about hypothetical backgrounds to the prophets and their texts (and if they even really said half of whats there), Shepherd gives us the text as we have it, its final form, Gods word, and points to the overall unified message of the Twelve: Gods kingdom is coming through his Davidic King, the Messiah, in which the wicked will be judged and the righteous delivered and restored.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255.
Instead of looking at the historical circumstances around each prophet, Shepherd looks at the final text as we have it today. He writes, This literary work refers to real events, but it now has a life of its own and creates a world of its own (18). This is not to deny nor question its historicity, but it is a matter of the books unique and revelatory depiction of things, in distinction from the events themselves (18).
After listing some historical evidence for the unity of the Twelve, Shepherd lists internal evidence for its composition (23). There are three components here that help us to identify the activity of the final composer:
1. Seams. These are pieces of text that connect the end of one book to the beginning of the next. The seams stand apart from the material that proceeds and follows (23).
2. Then we look at how the author develops Hosea 3:4 to 5.
3. Wherever the first two criterion are met… there is a citation from the book of Jeremiah (23).
This speaks of restoration… at the end of the days… in a new exodus… and in a new covenant relationship (25). Shepherd then shows the seams of each book before getting into his commentary. Being around 500 pages, Shepherds commentary isnt meant to be a proliferation of all the information you can find on the Twelve. Instead, he shows the overarching message that unifies them together as one book.
Shepherd doesnt look much at the historical circumstances of the prophets, and that is understandable. What strikes me as odd is that there is no outline for any of the prophets. One (mainly me) would think that for a commentary so focused on the text itself, there would be an outline of sorts showing how each prophet was written to be read and interpreted. Nevertheless, this is a great commentary.
Shepherd loads the commentary with references to other parts of Scripture. Sometimes this can seem overwhelming, but this is a benefit since it connects you to a wide range of OT texts, helping you to see, really, how its all connected. For some, the commentary text itself can seem stuffed and cluttered due to this, but I think the benefit outweighs the clutter.
Recommended
If youre a pastor, teacher, or layperson, these commentary is very helpful in giving you the lay of the land in the Twelve as well as seeing how they are a unity. Rather than reading about hypothetical backgrounds to the prophets and their texts (and if they even really said half of whats there), Shepherd gives us the text as we have it, its final form, Gods word, and points to the overall unified message of the Twelve: Gods kingdom is coming through his Davidic King, the Messiah, in which the wicked will be judged and the righteous delivered and restored.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255.
January 22, 2022
In his introduction Shepherd argues the composition of the Twelve was assembled by a single composer and to be understood as interconnected. He claims there is evidence of “seams”, as he calls them, linking one book to the next. He is careful to detail each seam passage at the end and beginning of each book. He also compellingly argues throughout that the programmatic theme passage of the entire work is Hosea 3:4-5–“For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days” - This was well done.
After the introduction he goes into commentary mode writing one for each book within the Twelve. He is careful to avoid proof-texting while maintaining an interpretation style which keeps the immediate context intact. He hits on the big themes throughout (the Gentiles as a part of the promises, the last days, covenant faithfulness) while also critically looking at background passages especially within the books of major prophets and particularly the book of Jeremiah. He ends each commentary section with tips for teaching from that particular book and pointing out some pitfalls to avoid when teaching from the minor prophets.
One doesn’t need to know Biblical Hebrew to glean the from his textual insights. All in all, it’s a helpful commentary and enjoyable read.
After the introduction he goes into commentary mode writing one for each book within the Twelve. He is careful to avoid proof-texting while maintaining an interpretation style which keeps the immediate context intact. He hits on the big themes throughout (the Gentiles as a part of the promises, the last days, covenant faithfulness) while also critically looking at background passages especially within the books of major prophets and particularly the book of Jeremiah. He ends each commentary section with tips for teaching from that particular book and pointing out some pitfalls to avoid when teaching from the minor prophets.
One doesn’t need to know Biblical Hebrew to glean the from his textual insights. All in all, it’s a helpful commentary and enjoyable read.
August 21, 2020
Michael B. Shepherd should be commended for his groundbreaking analysis of the "Minor Prophets" as a single, unified composition. He offers penetrating insight into the "Book of the Twelve" while maintaining lucid brevity. While more in-depth and exhaustive commentaries exist on each of the individual prophets, no other commentary offers such an articulate and compelling case for a compositional approach to this corpus. Legitimate hermeneutical practice requires attention to the context above all else; Shepherd proves that no faithful interpretation of say, Micah, can afford to neglect the surrounding "chapters" within the "Book" of the Twelve and the compositional strategy in which Micah is entrenched. This commentary is indispensable for any study and preaching of the books which make up the "Minor Prophets," and also paves the way for further scholarly analysis on the composition of the Twelve.
January 6, 2021
A refreshing approach to biblical commentary. Shepherd is a master of the biblical Hebrew language and a well read scholar of the Bible. His insights on preaching sprinkled throughout voice a minority perspective that in my opinion, is persuasive. If you are looking for all the answers to your questions about the minor prophets, this book will disappoint you. But if you are looking for a foundation for future reading and learning, this is a spring of wisdom and knowledge.
January 29, 2022
This was a helpful look at the Book of the Twelve or Minor Prophets. Shepherd treats this as one book put together by a final composer which is a different approach than many take. So he is consistently stepping back to see how what is said in one prophet fits with the whole message of the Twelve. Shepherd knows the Old Testament as well as anyone I know, so he’s a reliable guide through its pages.
October 27, 2019
Good. I’m not fully convinced by his approach - finding seams that link each book to the next. But it is an interesting approach that makes the reader think.
December 28, 2024
Phenomenal commentary on the Minor Prophets. Shepherd goes line-by-line, examining differences in the various source texts and great analysis.
October 20, 2024
I am just wrapping up a sermon series on the Book of the Twelve (aka the Minor Prophets), and I used this fairly academic-level commentary as one of my primary study tools. While it provided many helpful insights, I would not recommend it unreservedly.
The Good: Throughout the commentary, the author provides his own translation of the Hebrew text that shows difficulties and ambiguities in wording (Hebrew and English are very dissimilar languages), also highlighting alternate readings from the Septuagint and some of the Targums. His commentary helpfully discusses the meaning of individual difficult passages, connections to other Scripture, and the overall message and flow of thought for the writings of each of the twelve prophets.
The (in my opinion) Problematic: The author seems to indulge in quite a few pet interpretations held by himself alone (or by a very small minority). Most notably, he insists on treating the whole 12-book collection as if it were joined together by a later editor who inserted material of his own to make it flow more smoothly. He treats this highly conjectural theory as fact, confidently pointing to supposed “editorial seams” of material not original to the prophets. I am personally inclined to doubt novel, clever-sounding-but-narrowly-held interpretations of material that has been studied by many people for millennia. It savors more of trying to gain academic cred than of sound exegesis. That said, this man is far more of an expert in this area than I am, so take my opinion for whatever you think it’s worth.
Overall, I found this commentary helpful for understanding individual passages, historical background, and flow of thought, but was not thrilled with some of his more conjectural interpretations.
The Good: Throughout the commentary, the author provides his own translation of the Hebrew text that shows difficulties and ambiguities in wording (Hebrew and English are very dissimilar languages), also highlighting alternate readings from the Septuagint and some of the Targums. His commentary helpfully discusses the meaning of individual difficult passages, connections to other Scripture, and the overall message and flow of thought for the writings of each of the twelve prophets.
The (in my opinion) Problematic: The author seems to indulge in quite a few pet interpretations held by himself alone (or by a very small minority). Most notably, he insists on treating the whole 12-book collection as if it were joined together by a later editor who inserted material of his own to make it flow more smoothly. He treats this highly conjectural theory as fact, confidently pointing to supposed “editorial seams” of material not original to the prophets. I am personally inclined to doubt novel, clever-sounding-but-narrowly-held interpretations of material that has been studied by many people for millennia. It savors more of trying to gain academic cred than of sound exegesis. That said, this man is far more of an expert in this area than I am, so take my opinion for whatever you think it’s worth.
Overall, I found this commentary helpful for understanding individual passages, historical background, and flow of thought, but was not thrilled with some of his more conjectural interpretations.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews