For some years the view has become established that the Book of the Twelve is a systematically structured literary unity. An exegesis which takes the final canonical text seriously undertakes to understand the structure and theological intention of this unity. The papers collected here attempt to reveal significant structures which overarch the individual components. Particular emphasis is placed on the reconstruction of thematic threads which are created when individual prophets take up topics from their predecessors (e.g. Jehovah's Day, conversion, role of the peoples) and intensify them. The papers were written between 1999 and 2002 under the aegis of the Society of Biblical Literature's Working Group onThe Formation of the Book of the Twelve.

Dr.Paul L. Redditt is professor for the Old Testament at Georgetown College, Kentucky/USA.

Dr.Aaron Schart is professor for Old und New Testament at the University of Essen.

Overview:Paul L. Redditt, The Formation of the Book of the Twelve: A Review of Research

Method:Richard L. Schultz, The Ties that Bind: Intertextuality, the Identification of Verbal Parallels, and Reading Strategies in the Book of the Twelve ·Aaron Schart, The Fifth Vision of Amos in Context ·Erhard S. Gerstenberger, Psalms in the Book of the Twelve: How Misplaced are They? ·Edgar W. Conrad , Forming the Twelve and Forming Canon

Canonical Order:Laurie J. Braaten, God Sows: Hosea's Land Theme in the Book of the Twelve ·Marvin A. Sweeney, The Place and Function of Joel in the Book of the Twelve ·Beate Ego, The Repentance of Nineveh in the Story of Jonah and Nahum's Prophecy of the Citys Destruction - A Coherent Reading of the Book of the Twelve as Reflected in the Aggada ·Joseph A. Everson, The Canonical Location of Habakkuk

Thematic Threads:James L. Crenshaw, Theodicy in the Book of the Twelve ·James D. Nogalski, The Day(s) of YHWH in the Book of the Twelve ·Gerlinde Baumann, Die prophetische Ehemetaphorik und die Bewertung der Prophetie im Zwölfprophetenbuch ·Rainer Albertz, Exile as Purification: Reconstructing the "Book of the Four" ·Simon J. De Vries, Futurism in the Pre-exilic Minor Prophets Compared with That of the Postexilic Minor Prophets ·Stephen S. Tuell, Haggai-Zechariah: Prophecy after the Manner of Ezekiel ·Burkhard M. Zapff, The Perspective on the Nations in the Book of Micah as a "Systematization" of the Nations' Role in Joel, Jonah, and Nahum? Reflections on a Context-Oriented Exegesis ·Paul R. House, Endings as New Beginnings: Returning to the Lord, the Day of the Lord, and Renewal in the Book of the Twelve