The Prophets: A Study of Israel's Prophets and Their Message (Perennial Classics)

This is a must read for those engaging in a deep dive into biblical prophecy and its leading proponents.

Fantastic and insightful read. Highly recommend for someone wanting a classical perspective of the pre-exilic prophets. The book is divided into two parts. The first half is composed of chapters which are general commentaries on the individual books of the pre-exilic prophets (Dr. Herschel also covers the second half is Isaiah which he dates as post-exilic). The second half contains chapters of topical discussions probing the prophetic mindset and culminating in a defense of the Hebrew prophetic revelation as an unprecedented and incomparable ancient phenomenon. Highly recommended for the in-depth Bible reader

I was searching for a book that delved into the topic of the Old Testament prophet's experience. How did he view his calling? How did he feel about what he was doing? What was it like internally to speak on God's behalf? Heschel delves deep into this vane of thought. He compares God's prophets to the false prophets. He compares them to prophets from various pagan religions. With a fine tooth comb he separates the nits from the scalp and delivers an intriguing, soul searching, and inspiring look into the heart and mind of an Old Testament prophet. I've not read anything else like it. Best book I've read in a decade.

A man who writes beautifully and intellectually. His books are a gift to the reader. I am a Catholic lay member of the Dominican Order. We place great emphasis upon scholarship as we seek Truth and Wisdom where ever she is to be discovered. As an avid student of Judaism, Abraham Joshua Heschel has become a major recourse for my studies.

The first part of the book was wonderful--and I see why this is a classic in the field that anyone interested in the Prophets- or prophecy itself - would do well to read. He opens up the relationship the prophets had with God and with the people-- a very moving picture of the pathos of God. My only caveat is that in the second half of the book when he is speaking about mysticism, he makes the mistake many activists make. He assumes that all mystics are just interested in their own personal experiences and journey with God. I don't know enough about Jewish mysticism to speak much here- so maybe he is only intending to write about his own tradition - but in Christianity, one of the primary ways mystical experiences are tested for their genuineness is by their fruit. Theresa of Avila-- herself a mystic/reformer/activist/writer - said that if the experiences did not bear the fruit of increased love and service to others then they were not to be trusted. Christian mysticism in never just about the individual- increased love of God and intimacy with God is seen as enhancing love of neighbor. I would be surprised if Jewish mysticism did not also have that caveat- as so much of the richness of Christian spirituality is rooted in Jewish soil, which is also founded in loving God and one's neighbor as oneself..

This is still, despite the years that have passed since its first publication, an eloquent and heartfelt examination of one of the most beautiful and influential parts of the Jewish Bible. It presents many insights into these ancient and sometimes mystifying texts. The section on the nature of divine anger is particularly useful for the modern reader, who may find this aspect of the prophetic texts off-putting. The book is in a sense a treatise on the evils of moral indifference and complacency, and it is no surprise to realize that the morality presented in the Prophets motivated Heschel to become active in the civil rights movement.

This is the perfect complement to serious Christian thought (e.g. Brueggeman) about the prophets and their validity for our generation; a profound Jewish perspective. Heschel is a vivid and engaging writer with a unique mind and amazing insight. Grounded in ancient tradition and Rabbinic thought, Heschel translates the message of the prophets for today and points us toward the job of working to create a better future. This belongs on the bookshelf of every serious student of Hebrew scriptures.

Where to start with this one? First this is not a book that is easy to read from cover to cover. Though I suggest you should do just that, just to get the broad themes of what Heschel is trying to say. Then read it more slowly. For me, I could only read three or four paragraphs before having to come up for air while i reflected on the new ideas he sets out. This is a book full of profundity and you will gain value from it every time you pick it up even though you may have read it 5-10 times.

Great to study this book!

Livro novo conforme descrito pelo vendedor.

sto facendo un corso sul i profeti e questo libro sarà come una luce. Abraham Heschel è molto bravo. Avete questo libro in italiano? Vorrei averlo anche in italino. Grazie

Excellent book

C'est un chef d'oeuvre. Depuis 40 ans je cherchais un penseur qui pourrait réconcilier l'idée religieuse avec le sens moral, l'universalité de certaines valeurs, voire un engagement politique. Et j'ai lu Heschel! Pour les prophètes, l'essence de la religion ce n'est pas un rituel ou un autre, mais c'est l'indignation contre l'injustice, l'engagement contre la corruption et les abus de pouvoirs, la lutte contre l'indifférence. L'engagement d'Heschel dans le mouvement des droits civiques de Martin Luther King en tant qu'acte religieux illustre parfaitement cette tradition prophétique. Je trouve aberrant que ce livre ne soit pas encore traduit en Francais... Triste signe des temps ou les grenouilles de bénitiers de toutes religion s'aiment de haïr ensemble!