1. Books of the Nebi’im/Nevi’im (Prophets)
“Former Prophets”: Joshua, Judges, Samuel,
Kings
“Latter Prophets”: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
the Twelve Minor Prophets
Attained final form in 1st-2nd c. AD.

2. c. 922 BC Death of Solomon. Kingdom
divided into Israel and Judah
721 Israel taken by Assyrians. First deportation
Reign of Josiah of Judah, who asserts
independence and reforms law and faith
609 Egyptians take Syria/Palestine

3. 609-598 BC Reign of Jehoiakim of Judah
Babylonians take region
597 Babylonians defeat Jehoiachin of Judah
(r )
Reign of Zedekiah of Judah
587 Babylonians defeat Zedekiah, take many
of Judean Israelites into exile

4. Books of Latter Prophets spanning history
from before Assyrian conquest in 721 BC
to after Persian restoration in 538 BC
Isaiah (c ): Decline and fall of Israel
Jeremiah (c ): Decline and fall of
Judah
Ezekiel (c ): In exile

5. nabi’/navi’ (pl. nebi’im/nevi’im) = someone
sent to declare message, speaking with
authority of sender. Connotations of
foretelling future.
Prophet announces word of God and in process
puts it into motion (e.g. Jer. 7: 27)
Prophet compelled by God to deliver message
even if unpopular (e.g. Jer. 20: 9)
Prophets as advisors to kings

6. Isaiah (trad. lived 742-689 BC)
Only first 39 chapters rooted in 8th c. BC.
Later chapters dealing with fall of Babylon
in 539 BC and following events
742 BC Uzziah succeeded by Jotham

7. Isaiah’s message of piety:
People have turned away from God and
have abandoned law
(e.g. Isa. 1: 17 and 23)
Lack of sincerity. Even God is sick of
it (Isa. 1: 11)

8. Jeremiah (active BC)
From near Jerusalem. Apparently abducted
by Judeans after fall of Jerusalem, died in
Egypt
In periodic trouble due to criticism of kings

9. Jeremiah’s call (Jer. 1): Again sees self as
unworthy, and divine touch enabling
prophecy. Destructive and creative role
(Jer. 1: 10)
The foe from the north? (Jer. 1: 14). Shaqed
(almond tree)/shoqed (watching)
Jer. 7: Warning at gate of temple. Again
critique of insincerity (e.g. Jer. 7: 9).
Pessimism

10. Ezekiel (active c BC)
Ezek. 1-24: Fall of Jerusalem
Ezek : Anticipated restoration
Ezekiel’s vision recalling temple, giving
hope to Jews in exile

11. Ezek. 20:
Criticising people for abandoning law
and worshipping false gods
God’s eternal forbearance in face of
human misbehaviour
Impact of the past on the present