Amos

"A new translation and commentary on the book of Amos, forgoing speculation about his life to provide an innovative analysis of the book itself. As part of the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Amos has been studied for more than two thousand years. This much-needed new edition includes an updated English translation of the Hebrew text and an insightful commentary. While previous scholarship speculated on reconstructions of the life of Amos, Eidevall analyzes this prophetic book as a literary composition, rejecting the conventional view of the book of Amos's origin and providing a new rationalization for the form and meaning of the text." -- From publisher's description. "Göran Eidevall offers a fresh perspective on the book of Amos, presenting a new synthesis based on recent research. While previous scholarship speculated on reconstructions of the life of Amos, Eidevall focuses on the book carrying his name. According to the traditional view, the core of the book of Amos originated in Israel (the Northern Kingdom) around 750 B.C.E., during the period of peace and prosperity. Opposing this view, Eidevall argues that the first version of this book was composed several decades later in Judah, and that it served as a reflection on, and a justification of, the downfall of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C.E. This hypothesis helps explain why accusations concerning oppression of the poor are followed by proclamations of punishments affecting the entire nation. Eidevall provides a new English translation of the Hebrew text with user-friendly commentary, and employs a multidimensional methodological approach to explore the book's meaning in various contexts." -- From book jacket.