Digital Logos Edition
The Old and New Testament Library series offers authoritative commentary on many Old and New Testament books and provides additional theological works that closely examine major aspects of both testaments. This important series contains modern works written by noted authors as well as classic volumes of scholarship. Commentaries in this series provide fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, offer critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, pay careful attention to their literary design, and present a theologically perceptive exposition of the text. Individually, each of these commentaries allow teachers and students to hone in on unique elements present in a stand-alone book of the Bible. Together, the power of these commentaries and theological works provides a plurality of perspectives that together facilitate better interpretation and clarity from the podium, behind the pulpit, and beyond.
This commentary builds on the work of previous scholarship and addresses contemporary issues. It gives serious attention to questions of textual criticism, philology, history, and Near Eastern backgrounds and is sensitive to the literary conventions characteristic of the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. The book is an earnest attempt to hear the message of the ancient prophets, a message that remains relevant today.
“Habakkuk’s vision of God as the mighty conqueror of chaos endows him with hope for the future and instills within him the triumphant courage to endure a dismal present in the joyous confidence that this vision of God will prove reliable.” (Page 85)
“The imagery here is that of a shepherd who gathers together a flock that has been scattered by predators and who doctors the sheep that were injured in the attack.” (Page 223)
“Life is to be found by trusting in God’s promises rather than by earning it through one’s own meritorious deeds” (Pages 111–112)
“Write the vision on the tablets and make its import plain so that the one reading can take refuge in it.’” (Page 110)
“gives voice to the prophet’s questions about God’s justice in the form of an individual lament” (Page 88)