A massive shift has occurred in biblical studies away from source and redaction criticism to literary, narrative, and canonical criticism. Blenkinsopp bucks the trend. In his words, “While I have duly taken account of these recent developments, . . . None of this more recent writing has given me reason to abandon more traditional methods of redactional analysis. I continue to believe that synchrony and diachrony can and should coexist” (ix).

After reading A History of Prophecy in Israel, I wholeheartedly agree!

By his own admission, “[p]rophetic books are not lavish in providing biographical information” (184). Despite this impediment, Blenkinsopp succeeds in situating each of the classical prophets in their historical situation, whether or not we have much information on named prophet himself.

Blenkinsopp has a detailed understanding of the history of the ancient near east and intricately weaves political intrigue and prophetic response into a logical whole. Entire prophetic books take on a new light when viewed in their historical context.

A History of Prophecy in Israel is meticulously researched with deep biographies at the start of every new chapter. It is one of those standard texts that should be read by anyone in the field.

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A History of Prophecy in Israel. Revised and Enlarged ed., Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.