This post continues a series on biblical genealogies (see here, here, and here). Today, I will discuss the purpose of biblical genealogies.
A cursory reading of biblical genealogies might suggest that the genealogies sole purpose was to provide a written account of family histories. However, Johnson has actually identified nine different purposes for Old Testament genealogies. These purposes are as follows:
“(1) The demonstration of existing relations between Israel and neighboring tribes by tracing them back to a common patronyms, thus establishing a degree of kinship and at the same time a degree of distinction between Israel and her neighbors . . . (2) The interrelating of the previously isolated traditional elements concerning Israelite origins by the creation of a coherent and inclusive genealogical system. . . (3) to establish continuity over those periods of time not covered by material from the tradition . . . (4) as the vehicle for chronological speculation concerning the ‘Great Year’ or world cycles . . . (5) Several genealogies of tribes in I Chron. 2–8 no longer in existence in the Chronicler’s day show signs of being constructed of material from lists of military leaders . . . (6) to demonstrate the legitimacy of an individual in his office or to provide an individual a rank with connections to a worthy family or individual of the past . . . (7) for establishing the homogeneity of a race . . . (8) [an] attempt to assert the importance of the principle of the continuity of the people of God through a period of national disruption . . . (9) the most frequent use of the genealogical form is to be found in those writings which emanate from priestly circles, and that this use has a primarily literary function.”[1]
[1] Marshall D. Johnson, The Purpose of Biblical Genealogies with Special Reference to the Setting of the Genealogies of Jesus, 2nd ed., Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, ed. G. N. Stanton, vol. 8 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988), 77–80.
Christian Book Distributors is running a Friday ONLY special on the twelve volume New Testament Commentary Series authored by William Hendriksen and Simon Kistemaker for only $79.99 (plus about $8 postage). That is about $7 a volume for a hardback book! I purchased these volumes individually for substantially more than that. The retail price for the series is $700. Check it out here.
Christianaudio.com is offering a free audio download of the classic Foxe's Book of Martyrs.
"During the 16th and 17th centuries, many families owned two books: the Bible and Foxe's Book of Martyrs. This classic book arose during the Protestant Reformation and profoundly influenced many in the English Church. Beginning with Stephen and the earliest church martyrs and continuing through the French Revolution, Foxes details the sufferings of those who would courageously stand for Christ. Nadia May does a wonderful job narrating and her empathetic tone helps with the difficult subject matter."
Michael J. Gorman has posted excerpts from hisdiscussion of the ological interpretation from the revised and expanded edition of Elements of Biblical Exegesis (Hendrickson, 2009). You can read it here.
The latest issue of the Westminster Theological Journal contains Bruce Waltke's review article of Peter Enn's controversial book Inspiration and Incarnation and Peter Enns' response to Waltke. You can view pdf's of both here.
Justin Taylor notes that Roger Nicole's 1958 essay, "New Testament Use of the Old Testament," is now available online for free in both PDF and iPaper formats. See also Justin's summary of the article here.
Keith Mathison Ligonier Ministries has a list and discussion of his top five commentaries on Hosea at the Ligonier Ministries blog. The list is solid. But I would replace either Hubbard or Kidnder with Duane Garrett (NAC). I would also add Gary V. Smith (NIVAC) to the Runners Up category. In any case, Mathison’s top five are:
1. Douglas Stuart -- Hosea-Jonah (Word Biblical Commentary, 1987).
The single best commentary on the first five minor prophets is the commentary by
2. Thomas E. McComiskey -- The Minor Prophets (2009 [1992]).
3. David Allan Hubbard -- Hosea (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, 1989).
4. Derek Kidner -- The Message of Hosea (The Bible Speaks Today, 1984).
5. Francis I. Andersen and David Noel Freedman -- Hosea (Yale Anchor Bible, 1980).
(Word Biblical Commentary, 1987).