HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH AND MALACHI
By Andrew E. Hill
IVP. 368 pages. £11.99
ISBN 978 1 844 745 845
This volume is the first of three new Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, part of the IVP’s ‘replacement’ programme for the series: the other two are Esther (Debra Reid) and Deuteronomy (Edward J. Woods).
Immediately noticeable is the larger format, a far greater number of pages and a significantly higher (though competitive) price. While, arguably, this might be justified on account of the growth in scholarship on these books since Joyce Baldwin’s excellent volume (1972), it seems that the publishers are aiming ‘higher’ so as to compete at the level of series such as the New Century Bible. This may distance the series from its previous clientele.
New questions
However, the volume rightly recognises that trends and questions in biblical studies shift. For example, literary analyses and the insights of modern semantics recognise that communication is through the wider co-text than individual verses. Consequently, this (and, we are promised, the subsequent volumes) will provide an initial section on context that addresses the literary setting and historical factors that are critical to interpretation. The traditional section on ‘comment’ follows but with the added attempt to offer some guidelines on a section’s theological significance. All this is welcome. Evangelical commentary cannot ignore the fact that the Bible is literature that contains a theological message.
The present volume follows this framework clearly, readably and helpfully drawing attention to the inter-textual features of the books and their status as the final three ‘preaching … voices’ of the Old Testament. The general introduction is helpful and, notably, the larger part is given to theological analysis. The introductions to each book are respectfully evangelical (ready to recognise typological and prophetic references to Christ) and exemplary and are especially careful to explore the literary dimensions of the books (and, following, Speech-Act theory, emphasises what the texts are intended to effect. Reasonably, the latter part of Zechariah is, in the author’s view, symbolic and apocalyptic.
The present writer is saddened by the demise of Baldwin’s work: she was his tutor! Overall, however, personal matters apart, this is a very useful volume and will doubtless (and rightly) be one that is first opened, as the Bible student looks for reliable God-honouring comment on these two small, but ever relevant, books.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Dray,
Ferndale Baptist Church, Southend-on-Sea
