The Hebrew Prophets

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that even taking an exegetical approach that considers the Hebrew prophets outside of biographical and historical information, it is clear that they had certain standards of justice and righteousness, which targeted an oppressive social hierarchy, particularly those in power in Israel. The books of the prophets Isaiah, Micah, and Zephaniah, the author points out, denounce this leadership as being materialistic and promote the idea that righteousness and just action are prerequisites to material wealth. The paper illustrates these conclusions by using the biblical verses themselves thus relying only secondarily on historical and biographical information.

From the Paper:

"Note in the above passage that the prophet provides an alternative to materialistic corruption. This provides a clue to what Isaiah considered to be the positive characteristics of justice and righteousness and stands in direct contrast to the negative denunciations that comprise much of the book. Victor H. Matthews offers a list of considerations for which Isaiah deems Israel and Judah to be ruined in chapter five: "These injustices include depriving the poor of their lands by creating huge estates (5:8), drunkenness and self-indulgent living (5:11-12), public deception by the leaders (5:18-21) and bribery (5:23).""

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A History of Prophecy in Israel: From the Settlement in the Land to the Hellenistic Period. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1983.
• Matthews, Victor H. Social World of the Hebrew Prophets. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2001.
• The Holy Bible, Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995.

More papers on The Hebrew Prophets:

• Analytical Essay # 115989 : "Hebrew Prophets: The Metaphor of Female Fidelity"
• Analytical Essay # 71544 : "The Hebrew Bible"
• Analytical Essay # 7879 : "John the Baptist: the "New Elijah"

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