Overview Of The Bible
By Michael
A. H. Back
(26) Ezekiel
Author: Ezekiel
Time Period: 593 – 571 BC
Date Written: Around 571 BC
Theme: Prophecies to the Jews held captive in Babylon, warning of
more punishment to come on Jerusalem, as well as of future hope for
restoration if they repented and followed God. He was contemporary to Daniel.
Key People: Ezekiel, Israel’s leaders, Ezekiel’s wife, Nebuchadnezzar
Interesting Facts: Only Ezekiel and Daniel ministered to the Jews
held captive in Babylon. Ezekiel used very creative, radical tactics
to deliver God’s message. These included laying siege to a
drawing of Jerusalem on a tablet with siege works made of sand,
laying on his side for 390 days (during which time he could only eat
one 8 ounce meal a day, cooked over manure), and shaving off all his hair.
(27) Daniel
Author: Daniel
Time Period: 605 – 536 BC
Date Written: Between 550 - 536 BC
Theme: The theological and symbolic foundation of all end-times
prophecies (it is, in fact, impossible to understand Revelation
without an understanding of Daniel). The first half is about
Daniel’s (and his friends’) experiences in the palace in
Babylon, the second half is primarily about distant future events
leading up to the final defeat of Satan. The book of Daniel starts
just after the last events of 2 Kings.
Key People: Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshack, Abednego,
Belshazzar, Darius
Interesting Facts: The events of chapter 9 happen as a result of
Daniel reading the book of Jeremiah (specifically 25:11-12 and
29:10), showing that many of the books were accepted as being the
Word of God, and were being copied and circulated from the moment
they were written (the book of Jeremiah had been in existence less
than 40 years at this time).
(28) Hosea
Author: Hosea
Time Period: 753 – 715 BC
Date Written: 715 BC
Theme: A contemporary of Isaiah and Micah, just after the short
ministry of Amos. The last prophet to try and get Israel to repent
prior to their captivity by Assyria. His life with his unfaithful
wife was (intentionally) a sad, but accurate reflection of the
relationship between Israel and God.
Key People: Hosea, Gomer, their children (Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, Lo-Ammi)
Interesting Facts: Hosea was commanded to marry a woman whom he was
told in advance was going to be unfaithful. He was obedient, and
married her as God commanded. Some scholars believe the Hebrew
constructions in 1:6 and 1:8 indicate that their last two children
were not Hosea’s, symbolizing in painful, graphic detail that
Israel’s sin against God had long lasting ramifications.
(29) Joel
Author: Joel
Time Period: Between 835 - 796 BC
Date Written: Between 835 – 796 BC
Theme: It is thought Joel prophesied during the period just after
Israel divided into two kingdoms (early 2 kings), but we are not
sure. Primary emphasis is punishment for sin, mercy and deliverance
after repentance, and promise of ultimate redemption at the Day of
the Lord.
Key People: Joel, the people of Judah
Interesting Facts: Joel was a contemporary of Elisha and Jonah.
(30) Amos
Author: Amos
Time Period: Between 760 - 750 BC
Date Written: Between 760 – 750 BC
Theme: Corruption run amok, particularly with the rich and powerful
oppressing the weak and poor, was going to bring God’s judgement!
Key People: Amos, Amaziah, Jeroboam II
Interesting Facts: Most of the metaphors in this book are drawn from
Amos’ own life, particularly his shepherding and farming
experience: loaded cart, roaring lion, mutilated sheep, pampered
cows, and a basket of fruit. Shepherd by trade, his entire recorded
ministry lasted just a few days.
(31) Obadiah
Author: Obadiah
Time Period: Sometime around 855 - 840 BC
Date Written: Sometime around 855 – 840 BC
Theme: Encouragement to Israel in the face of trials (their enemies
would eventually be punished).
Key People: The Edomites
Interesting Facts: The Hebrew in this book is written in the form of
a poetic dirge.
(32) Jonah
Author: Jonah
Time Period: Between 785 - 760 BC
Date Written: Sometime after 785 BC
Theme: The story of Jonah who, called by God to deliver a message to
Ninevah, does not want to do it. A profound story of God’s
patience, mercy and grace.
Key People: Jonah, ship’s Captain and crew
Interesting Facts: Unique of the prophetic books in that the message
given by the prophet is only ONE verse long (3:4). The rest is a
historical narrative, and in reality, this book should probably be
listed with in the Writings (history) section.
(33) Micah
Author: Micah
Time Period: 742 – 687 BC
Date Written: Between 742 – 687 BC
Theme: Denounces moral and social sins in Judah, and warns of
upcoming invasion of Babylon. Emphasizes God as the Almighty Lord who
hates sin but loves the sinner. Notable verses: prophesy of the birth
of the Messiah in Bethlehem (5:2), and summary of the ultimate
requirement of the law (6:8).
Key People: The people of Samaria and Jerusalem
Interesting Facts: Micah is a textbook example of classic Hebrew
poetry. It is composed of three parts (addressing the Capitals, the
Leaders, and the People); each part starts with “hear” or
“listen,” and ends with a promise.
(34) Nahum
Author: Nahum
Time Period: Between 663 - 612 BC
Date Written: Between 663 – 612 BC
Theme: A contemporary of Jeremiah and Zephaniah. Denunciation of the
decadent Assyrian empire in general, and Nineveh in particular.
Prediction of the fall of Nineveh.
Key People: The people of Nineveh (the Assyrians) and Judah,
Interesting Facts: Nahum had the same basic message as Jonah did
almost one hundred and fifty years before. This time the prophet was
not reluctant, Nineveh did not repent, and the result was the
complete destruction of Nineveh.
(35) Habakkuk
Author: Habakkuk
Time Period: Between 612 - 589 BC
Date Written: Between 612 – 589 BC
Theme: Treatise on God’s justice focusing on the question of why
our Holy God allows injustice to go seemingly unpunished for so long.
Notable verses: The righteous live by faith (2:4), which set the
foundation for Paul’s explanation of some of the foundations of Christianity.
Key People: Habakkuk, the Babylonians
Interesting Facts: Unlike most of the prophets, Habakkuk was more
concerned with punishing sin, and God’s justice than with
getting the people to repent. Instead of crying out to the people to
repent, he cried out in anguish to God because of how long it took
for God to punish the evil doers.
(36) Zephaniah
Author: Zephaniah
Time Period: Between 640 - 621 BC
Date Written: Around 621 BC
Theme: Just before Jeremiah (Jeremiah’s ministry actually
started a couple years before Zephaniah’s ended) and Habakkuk,
contemporary of Nahum. Prediction of terrible punishments coming in
the Day of the Lord, and of the redemption that would follow for the faithful.
Key People: Judah, all nations
Interesting Facts: One of the few times that a prophetic message was
heeded, Zephaniah’s prophecies were at least partly responsible
for the reforms of Josiah in Judah (in 2 Kings 22:1 – 23:30).
Unfortunately, the reforms did not last, the next king went back to
evil ways, and Jeremiah witnessed the fulfillment of these (and his
own) prophecies.
(37) Haggai
Author: Haggai
Time Period: Around 520 BC
Date Written: Between 520 – 516 BC
Theme: Contemporary of Zerubbabel and Zechariah. As recounted in Ezra
4:4-5, fierce opposition had halted the building of the temple.
Haggai comes onto the scene with messages from God that encouraged
the people, and got the project back on track.
Key People: Haggai, Zerubbabel, Joshua
Interesting Facts: Haggai was the first of the three “post
Babylonian captivity” prophets (the other two are Zechariah and
Malachi), who are the last three prophetic books in the Old
Testament, and the last three prophets to Israel before Christ.
(38) Zechariah
Author: Zechariah
Time Period: 520 - 480 BC
Date Written: Ch. 1-8 between 520 – 518 BC; Ch. 9 – 14
between 480 BC
Theme: Contemporary of Haggai and Zerubbabel. Joined with Haggai in
delivering messages to get the people to finish the temple. Although
the first half deals primarily with Israel and the temple project,
they carry numerous double references to the future messiah and his
reign. The second half is almost exclusively concerning the distant
future with the messiah and the end times.
Key People: Zerubbabel, Joshua
Interesting Facts: This book addresses the end times and the Messiah
more than any other minor prophet (a minor prophet is an author of a
small book, as opposed to Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, etc. who wrote
very long books)
(39) Malachi
Author: Malachi (some ancient Jews believed that “Malachi”
was a pen name)
Time Period: 430 - 425 BC
Date Written: Around 425 BC
Theme: A contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah. Trust God, and don’t
worry about the current circumstances. Elijah will come. After that,
the messiah, who will destroy the wicked and give victory to the righteous.
Key People: Malachi, the priests
Interesting Facts: Not only is Malachi the last book in the Old
Testament, Malachi was the last prophet before Christ, and ends his
book with the promise of the return of Elijah (who would pave the way
for the coming of the Messiah).
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