This article outlines the main directions that scholarly research on the biblical prophetic literature has taken in the last twenty years. First, it provides an overview of current studies that, benefiting from the insights of sociology, anthropology and Ancient Near Eastern studies, enhance our understanding of the prophetic roles in Ancient Israel. Secondly, it gives examples of recent developments in the areas of rhetorical criticism, source criticism and redaction criticism pertaining to the prophetic literature. Lastly, it offers a glimpse of some of the currently hotly debated issues arising from the prophetic literature.
R. Albertz, Israel in Exile: The History and Literature of the Sixth Century BCE (Studies in Biblical Literature 3; transl. D. Green; Atlanta, GA: SBL, 2003).
2.
J. Blenkinsopp, Sage, Priests, Prophet: Religious and Intellectual Leadership in Ancient Israel ( Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995).
3.
S. L. Cook and C. L. Patton (eds.), Ezekiel's Hierarchical World: Wrestling with a Tiered Reality (Symposium 31; Atlanta, GA: SBL, 2004).
4.
Y. Gitay (ed.), Prophecy and Prophets: The Diversity and Contemporary Issues in Scholarship (SBL Semeia Studies; Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press, 1997 ).
5.
L. L. Grabbe, Priests, Prophets, Diviners, Sages: A Socio-Historical Study of Religious Specialists in Ancient Israel (Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1995).
6.
N. C. Habel (ed.), The Earth Story in the Psalms and the Prophets (The Earth Bible4; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001).
7.
J. C. de Moor (ed.), The Elusive Prophet: The Prophet as a Historical Person, Literary Character, and Anonymous Artist (Oudtestamentische Studiën45; Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2001), pp. 175—98.
8.
M. Nissinen (ed.), Prophecy in its Ancient Near Eastern Context (Symposium 13; Atlanta, GA: SBL, 2000).
9.
T.W. Overholt, Channels of Prophecy: The Social Dynamics of Prophetic Activity ( Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1989).
10.
D.L. Petersen, The Roles of Israel's Prophets (JSOTS17; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1981).
11.
D.L. Petersen, The Prophetic Literature: An Introduction (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002).
12.
R.J. Weems, Marriage, Sex and Violence in the Hebrew Prophets (Overtures to Biblical Theology : Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press , 1995).
