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The present volume is the third part of a consistent series of biblical studies by the eminent Old Testament scholar Menahem Haran (the first part was published in 1996, and the second in 2004). Haran’s main focus is on the canonization of the Bible in its historical setting; in this third part he devotes particular attention to the canonization of the prophets, based on the assumption that the texts of these books actually originate from a number of pre-selected versions. Particularly the three major books Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezechiel consist of text sections which were preceded by a number of particular compilations. The final text was regarded as the most complete in connection with the canonical status that was given to the prophetic book. Haran also applied his “golden rule” of the collection and canonization process in his approach of the twelve minor prophets, and he likes to emphasize that the study of this “collection of remnants” is not to be equated with a sheer redaction process of adding and extending text parts. In every book there is an authentic foundation which has been modified into final form and contents. The compilation of materials and transformation into canonical books is in Haran’s view not a coincidental activity with a kind of randomness, but rather a conscious and deliberate work with much insight into the structure of the book. With these views as a starting point Haran discusses in chapter one the Deuteronomistic history of the book of Jeremiah as a benchmark for books of later prophets. Chapter two is devoted to Isa 1-12 and 13-27 with careful attention to aspects of content and genre, continued in a more literary-historical discussion of Isa 28-35 and 36-37 in chapter three. Chapter four can be seen as the central and most comprehensive part of this volume, presenting a detailed study of the prophetic and literate Ezechiel against the background of earlier and current scholarship. Chapters five and six also form a sequence of short essays on the constellation of the twelve minor prophets and the literary unity of each separate book. The volume is concluded by chapter seven on anonymous collections, such as Trito-Isaiah, Deutero-Zechariah and Malachi. Like part one and two this third volume too proves its usefulness and relevance to the modern scholar of Bible who cannot do without the rich insights of professor Haran. My only criticism is that modern Hebrew may be a barrier for colleagues in the field—it will make them regret that they do not have direct access to Haran’s ideas.
Journal for the Study of Judaism – Brill
Published: Jan 1, 2012
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