There were fifteen important prophets in Israel, whose lives covered nearly four centuries, beginning about 750 B.C.E. Known as the literary prophets because they wrote down their prophecies, they were chosen by God at a time of social and political crisis in the community. Their task was to warn, criticize the morals and ethics of their day, and counsel and comfort the Israelite people. This book presents an overview of the literary prophets and the nature of their prophecies. They include Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Joel, Obadiah, Nachum, Habbakuk, Zephaniah, and Jonah. In addition to the so-called literary prophets, there were other people in the Bible referred to as prophets as well. Gideon, in the Book of Judges, was referred to as a prophet, Deborah is called a prophetess in the Book of Judges. Moses was twice called a prophet in the Bible and even Abraham is once referred to as a prophet in the Book of Genesis. Messengers of God: A Jewish Prophets Who's Who explores these prophets as well. Topics in this volume include: what is a prophet; varieties of prophets; commissioning of the prophet; preliterary prophets; false prophets; Moses; Deborah; prophetic signs and visions; values of the prophets; prophecy in the Talmud, philosophers and prophets, and prophets in the liturgy and rabbinic sources. Messengers of God: A Jewish Prophets Who's Who will enable the reader to have a better understanding of the nature of the prophets and their works.

By Ronald H. Isaacs

I WHO AND WHAT ARE PROPHETS

1 Early Prophets in the Bible
2 Women Prophets
3 False Prophets
4 Literary Prophets
5 Principles of Jewish Prophecy
6 After Prophecy: The Bat Kol

II TALMUDIC VIEWS OF PROPHECY

7 Overview
8 Notable Rabbinic Quotations on Prophecy
9 Lessons Derived from the Rabbinic Quotations
10 The Rabbis' List of Prophets
11 Seven Prophetesses
12 Seven Heathen Prophets

III THE FIFTEEN LITERARY PROPHETS: A SUMMARY OF THEIR BOOKS

13 The Major Prophets

Isaiah
Isaiah and His Family
Composition and Authorship of the Book
Subject Matter and Mission
Place in the Canon
Major Concepts and Teachings
Isaiah in Rabbinic Literature
Notable Quotations

Jeremiah
Life and Character of Jeremiah
Background of the Times
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Book Summary
Place in the Canon
Jeremiah's Style
Major Concepts and Teachings
Jeremiah in Rabbinic Legend
Notable Quotations

Ezekiel
Ezekiel and His Family
Place in the Canon
Subject Matter and Book Summary
Ezekiel's Style
Ezekiel in Rabbinic Legend and Writings
Major Concepts and Teachings
Notable Quotations

14 The Twelve Minor Prophets
Hosea
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Contents
Hosea in Rabbinic Writings
Major Concepts and Teachings
Notable Quotations
Joel
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Contents of Book
Major Concepts and Teachings
Notable Quotations
Amos
Composition and Authorship
Amos's Style
Subject Matter and Contents
Amos in Rabbinic Writings
Major Concepts and Teachings
Notable Quotations
Obadiah
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter
Major Teachings in the Book
Notable Quotations
Jonah
Composition and Authorship
Synopsis of Book
Major Concepts and Teachings
Jonah in Rabbinic Writings
Modern Interpretations of the Book of Jonah
Notable Quotations
Micah
Composition and Authorship
Synopsis of Book
The Book of Micah in Rabbinic Writings
Major Teachings and Concepts
Notable Quotations
Nachum
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Book Synopsis
Major Themes and Concepts
Notable Quotations
Habbakuk
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Book Synopsis
Habbakuk in Rabbinic Literature
Main Teachings and Concepts
Notable Quotations
Zephaniah
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Book Synopsis
Major Concepts and Teachings
Notable Quotations
Haggai
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Synopsis
Haggai in Rabbinic Traditions
Major Concepts and Teachings
Notable Quotations
Zechariah
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Synopsis
Zechariah in Rabbinic Writings
Major Concepts and Teachings
Notable Quotations
Malachi
Composition and Authorship
Subject Matter and Synopsis
Malachi in Rabbinic Writings
Major Concepts and Teachings
Notable Quotations

IV THE HAFTARAH-THE LESSON FROM THE PROPHETS
15 Overview
16 Summary of Bible Portions

V PROPHECY AND JEWSH PHILOSOPHERS
17 Overview
18 Ancient Philosophy: Philo
19 Medieval Philosophy
Maimonides
Saadia Gaon
Judah Halevi
Joseph Albo
20 Modern Jewish Philosophers

VI PROPHETS IN JEWISH LITURGY
21 Sabbath and Festival Prayers
Ma Tovu
Prayers for Donning Phylacteries
Ata Hu Adonai Eloheymu
Song of the Sea
Kedusha (Sanctification)
Anenu Paragraph for Fast Days
The Eighth Blessing of the Amidah-Blessing for Healing
Tachanun
Yehi Razon: May It Be Your Will
Introductory Prayer to Torah Service
Va'anachnu Lo Neyda-As for Us, We Do Not Know
Uva L'Tzion: A Redeemer Shall Come to Zion
Kaddish
Aleynu
Yigdal
22 The High Holy Day Machzor
Malchuyot Sovereignty Verses
Zichronot Remembrance Verses
Shofarot Trumpet Verses

For Further Reading
Index