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Hebrew Studies 35 (1994) 201 Reviews especially parallelism and rhythm. On the other hand, they stress their own particular approach to the analysis of a poetic text. It is not always clear which purpose is in the forefront as one moves through their discussion. A second concern regards the tendency of the authors to slight the importance of what they describe as "goal-oriented theories" of poetry, which "focus on the rhetorical effect of a poem's persuasion and on the end to which the poem is directed" (p. 11). The methodological discussion in chaps. 1-4 and the interpretive exercises in chap. 5 tend to focus more directly on the poetry in some degree isolated from its surroundings and able to be interpreted largely in terms of its own inner references. Consideration is given to historical questions-the context and possible external referents of the poem's imagery. But Biblical poetry demands even greater emphasis on the motivation, strategy, and end to which the poem was directed. Much of what the Biblical poets wrote had the character of "public literature." Thus attention to its political and socio-economic function is often key for adequately understanding and interpreting it. This is true not only for the poetry's originating context. Its role as "public literature" characterizes as well the reading and use of this poetry down to our own day. Anthony R. Ceresko St. Peter's Ponti!icallnstitute Bangalore 560 055 INDIA THE BOOKS OF NAHUM, HABAKKUK, AND ZEPHANIAH. By O. Palmer Robertson. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Pp. x + 357. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1990. Cloth, $28.95. Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah are perhaps the three most-neglected books in the Old Testament. Scholars have overlooked them because of their size and because they are overshadowed in their time period by Jeremiah and Ezekiel. But they increase in importance when we remember that they are the primary prophetic witnesses, in addition to Jeremiah, to the defeat of Assyria, the rise of Babylonia, and the demise of Judah. In recent years more attention has been given to these books and to their important historical and theological record; witness, in addition to Robertson's volume, the recent Old Testament Library commentary by 1. J. M. Roberts. In happy contrast to older works which often separated these Hebrew Studies 35 (1994) 202 Reviews books, modem treabnents recognize the obvious chronological and textual reasons for grouping them together. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOTdespite its misleading title, having no direct connection with the New International Version) has in its volumes, which cover most of the Old Testament books, set high standards for historical exegesis and practical exposition . Robertson's excellent volume adds to the NICOT's already formidable reputation. O. Palmer Robertson, currently a Presbyterian pastor in Maryland, taught for 20 years at Reformed, Westminster, and Covenant Theological Seminaries. Readers who may question his purposely evangelical perspective and frequent homiletical exposition must remember the stated purpose of the entire NICOT series. Within this presuppositional framework, Robertson has delivered an outstanding work of exegesis, rich in textual and linguistic detail, and supplying frequent exposition for those interested in personal application or homiletical extension of the primary textual material. Robertson usually rejects form-critical and other approaches which deny the authenticity of many passages in these prophecies, basically arguing for the Masoretic Text as received, with as little emendation as possible. A major emphasis is the close-knit bond between prophecy and history. To Robertson, the historical message of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah actually embodies and functions as prophecy. To develop this idea, Robertson traces the "redemptive-historical setting" of these three books, emphasizing how the impending loss of the land become a redemptive event for Judah. He discusses this concept within the historical events of Judah's existence from the triumph of faith in the days of Hezekiah (715-687) through the final destruction of Judah in (he says) 587. Robertson's excellent introduction provides a well-developed theological perspective of these prophets' message, while also discussing the style and structure of each book. But his best work, in this reviewer's opinion, is done in determining the...

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