Date: between 450 and 425 BC Contents The prophet Malachi addresses the restored community of Israel. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah also target this community, but at a much earlier time. A second group of Jewish exiles has returned. Men of great renown are active, such as Ezra and Nehemiah. Things are not going well …
Date: between 520 and 500 BC Contents The prophet Zechariah proclaims his message at the same time as the prophet Haggai. This period is marked by the construction of the Temple, after the return of the Jewish Exiles. All work for building up the country must be done in front of the enemies. They are …
Date: 520 BC Contents After the fall of the city of Jerusalem in 587 BC, the survivors are taken into exile to the land of Babylon. Due to the change of power on a world level, the remnants of the empire of Babylon fall into the hands of the Persian Cyrus. It allows all exiles …
Date: 621 BC Contents Zephaniah is the first of a number of prophets sent by God to the kingdom of Judah after the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. The prophets Isaiah and Micha have been active before the fall before the fall of Sameria, the capital of Israel. They died …
Date of Writing The Book of Habakkuk was likely written between 610 and 605 BC. Key Verses Habakkuk 1:2, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?” Habakkuk 1:5, “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I …
Date: 7th century BC Contents Nahum was born in Elkos in the kingdom of Judah. The prophet addresses his message primarily to the city of Nineveh. A century earlier, Jonah was sent by God to that city to preach repentance. A large part of the inhabitants heeded this call. In the course of time Nineveh …
Date: 8th century BC Contents Micha was born in Moreset, a small city in the kingdom of Judah, about 40 km southwest of the city of Jerusalem. Moréset is close to the great connecting route between Egypt and Mesopotamia, where the various armies pass. Micha preaches during the reigns of Kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, …
Date: 8th century BC Contents The prophet Jonah is known for his adventure with the big fish. Jonah comes from a small city in the Kingdom of Israel. He was born in the reign of Jeroboam II (782-753 BC). He is commissioned by GOD to preach repentance in the capital Nineveh of the feared enemy …
Date: 6th century BC Contents This is the shortest book of the Old Testament. It deals with the relationship between the kingdom of Judah and its southern neighbor Edom. The prophet Obadiah prophesies the fall of Edom because of the way it besieges Judah. To understand this book, it is important that these peoples are …
Date: 8th century BC Contents Amos prophesies during the time of King Uzziah (Judah, 767-739 BC) and Jeroboam II (Israel, 782-753 BC). Just 30 years after Amos’s preaching, the Assyrians will destroy the kingdom of Israel. 50 years for Amos is a relatively peaceful and prosperous period for the two empires. Trade is flourishing, prosperity …
