The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis--Malachi      by David A. Dorsey The author is professor of Old Testament at the Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Baker Books, 1999 Pp. 330 Order from Amazon Books and save!

This is a very important one-volume study on chiasmus that deserves shelf space for any biblical enthusiast of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).  After a very instructive twenty-nine page introduction to biblical literary structure, the author organizes his analyses of biblical structure book by book (English order) of the Old Testament Scriptures.  As he states in his Preface: "At first I planned to include analyses of all the books of the Old Testament.  Then reason set in, and I selected a small sampling of biblical books on which to focus.  In the end, however, Kenneth Miller, my colleague at Evangelical School of Theology, convinced me to reverse this decision and return to my original (foolhardy) plan.  I am keenly aware that what I have gained in breadth by greater coverage I have lost in depth.  But I am satisfied with the decision, and hope that the resulting product will be more useful to readers" (p. 9).

If you are at all interested in biblical structure of the Old Testament and its importance in relation to correct interpretation, you will never regret purchasing this indispensable volume.  As the author himself states: "Certainly it is time for surface-structural analysis to take its place among the important disciplines within biblical studies.  Old Testament authors communicated their message through the arrangement of their compositions as well as through verbal content.  Modern commentators devote much effort to clarifying the verbal content of passages of scripture but give relatively little attention to the arrangement of this content.  If we are to understand more fully the books of the Hebrew Bible, we must pay greater attention to their structures and to what those structures reveal about their meaning.  The purpose of the present work is to encourage renewed interest in this promising and important aspect of interpretation" (pp. 327-328).

Endorsements

• "Understanding structure is pivotal to understanding the meaning of Scripture.  Dorsey ably guides us toward a better sense of the structure and style of the books of the Old Testament.  This book will become a standard reference tool for all serious students of the Bible"
     -- Tremper Longman III, Westmont College
  
  
• "With intuitive artistic sensitivity to tests in their wholeness, Dorsey provides for the scholar and layperson alike a fresh way of reading the sacred literature.  Bible study will never be the same again for anyone who takes advantage of the creative insights afforded by this remarkable volume."
     -- Eugene H. Merrill, Dallas Theological Seminary
  
  
• "This is an unusual and fascinating book.  It is the first comprehensive treatment of the inherent structure of the Old Testament books and its significance for understanding their meaning and message.  Expositors will find it of inestimable value for looking at the books in a way that is true to the literary nature of the Old Testament itself and the theological significance of that structure."
    --  Richard Averbeck, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Table of Contents

Preface, 9
Abbreviations, 11

Unit 1: Introduction

1.  Introduction, 15
2.  Literary Units, 21
3.  Arrangement of Units, 26
4.  Structure and Meaning, 36
5.  Value of Structural Analysis, 42

Unit 2: Book of the Law of Moses

6.  Historical Prologue: Genesis 1:1--Exodus 19:2, 47
7.  Treaty at Sinai: Exodus 19:3--Numbers 10:10, 72
8.  Historical Conclusion: Numbers 10:11--Joshua 24:33, 84
9.  Structural Unity, 97

Unit 3: Historical Books

10.  Judges: Israel's Downward Spiral, 105
11.  Ruth: The Power of Kindness, 121
12.  Samuel: David--a Man after God's Heart, 129
13.  Kings: Israel's Revolt against God, 137
14.  Chronicles: Encouraging Stories from Israel's History, 145
15.  Ezra--Nehemiah: God's People Return to Jerusalem, 158
16.  Esther: Divine Providence Protects God's People, 162

Unit 4: Poetic Books

17.  Job: Where Can Wisdom Be Found?, 167
18.  Psalms: Israel's Hymns and Prayers to God, 173
19.  Proverbs: Yahweh--the Source of All Wisdom, 187
20.  Ecclesiastes: God Alone Holds the Key to Life's Meaning, 192
21.  Song of Songs: Love--the Flame of Yahweh, 199

Unit 5: Major Prophets

22.  Isaiah: Trust in Yahweh Alone, 217
23.  Jeremiah: Prophet to a Hostile Nation, 236
24.  Lamentations: His Mercies Are New Every Morning, 246
25.  Ezekiel: Visions of the Glory of God, 253
26.  Daniel: God's Supremacy over All Earthly Powers, 259

Unit 6: Minor Prophets

27.  Hosea: Come Home, Unfaithful Israel, 265
28.  Joel: Yahweh Thunders at the Head of His Army, 273
29.  Amos: The Lion Has Roared, 277
30.  Obadiah: Edom's Fall and Judah's Rise, 287
31.  Jonah: A Lesson on Mercy, 290
32.  Micah: Walk Humbly with Your God, 296
33.  Nahum: Where Now Is the Lion's Den?, 301
34.  Habakkuk: The Just Shall Live by Faith, 306
35.  Zephaniah: The Day of Yahweh Is Near, 310
36.  Haggai: Rebuild the Temple!, 315
37.  Zechariah: Yahweh Will Again Live among His People, 317
38.  Malachi: How Have We Robbed God?, 321

Unit 7: Conclusion

39.  Some Final Thoughts, 327

Bibliography, 329