Despite the popularity of the Minor Prophets’ focus on social justice, they are often overshadowed by the rest of the Bible. Additionally, they are home to a host of historical/literary challenges that scholars have been working with for decades—challenges that all Christians should be aware of. In the New International Commentary: Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah, Leslie C. Allen consults theological, literary, and historical sources to rebuild the context in which The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah occur, in turn helping you apply them to everyday life.

Each book covered in this commentary gets its own introduction that lays out information on context, literary traits (including textual criticism), canonicity, and theology. The commentary proceeds verse-by-verse and operates on Allen’s own translation of the original Hebrew.

New International Commentary on the Old Testament - Series Editor: Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

Maneuvering through Levitical laws, bloodshed in Joshua, or Daniel's apocalyptic visions, sincere readers often wonder what the Old Testament means and how it can be the Word of God. For several decades the New International Commentary on the Old Testament has helped countless people traverse this difficult literary terrain.

All the NICOT volumes combine superior scholarship, an evangelical view of Scripture as the Word of God, and concern for the life of faith today. Each volume features an extensive introduction treating the biblical book's authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology. The author's own translation of the original Hebrew and verse-by-verse commentary follow. The commentary itself carefully balances coverage of technical matters with exposition of the biblical text's theology and implications.