What's in a Name? Book Titles in the Latter Prophets and Writings

Abstract

This article completes a survey of Old Testament book titles, making use of the four possible functions of a title as differentiated by Gerard Genette. The books of the Latter Prophets and Writings were assigned titles that indicate that those responsible for the titles had reflected upon the form and content of the biblical books. The titles are in effect a commentary on the books. As such the titles assist, or in some cases hinder, the interpretive efforts of the reader. They are to be weighed and considered but certainly not ignored.