The Dictionary of the Old Testament Prophets is another of IVP’s successful “black” dictionaries. It’s edited by two respected scholars: Mark Boda and J. Gordon McConville. It is, perhaps, one of the most helpful of these black dictionaries because the prophets are clearly one of the trickiest genres. Though some of the entries are clearly aimed at those in major scholarly study, any Bible student could find much to glean from in this volume.

For first-time users there’s a guide at the beginning explaining how to use this dictionary as well as a list of abbreviations. If you scan the list of contributors, you will see several highly respected scholarly names.

The dictionary approaches an incredible array of subjects in alphabetical order. You will be hard-pressed to think of a term, even an obscure scholarly term, that affects prophetic study, and not find it in this volume. Additionally, you will have the equivalent of a scholarly introduction such as you would find in a major commentary on every prophetic book of the Old Testament. Most of the main issues will be covered such as structure, composition, and theology.

For example, look at the article on marriage and divorce. You will have a discussion of the practice of each in Israel, what it could be used as a metaphor for, and how it was used in various prophetic books. It’s really fascinating!

Some of the contributors will reach more critical conclusions that I’m comfortable with, but the scope of this volume makes it a winner. I’m not aware of any real competitor to it, and I highly recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.