The Nevi’im (נביאים) covers the time period from the death of Moshe through the Babylonian exile (ca.1200BCE-587BCE) and contains 19 books. The Nevi’im covers the time from the Hebrews entering Eretz Yisrael, conquest of Jericho, conquest of Eretz Yisrael and division among the tribes, judicial system, Era of Saul and David, Solomon’s wisdom and the construction of the First Temple, kings of Eretz Yisrael, prophecy, messianic prophecies, and the Babylonian exile.
Nevi’im Rishonim (Early Prophets) READ MORE…
Yehoshua (Joshua) – written by Yehoshua (Joshua)
Yehoshua is the sixth book in the Tanakh. This book is the first in the section of the Tanach called the Nevi’im (Prophets). Sefer Yehoshua is also the first of the Nevi’im Rishonim (Former Prophets) which covers the history of Israel from the possession and settlement of the Land of Israel through the Babylonian Captivity. Sefer Yehoshua contains a history of the Israelites from the death of Moses to the death of Joshua.
Shoftim (Judges) – written by the Shoftim (Judges)
Shoftim is the second book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanakh and the second book of the Nevi’im Rishonim (Former Prophets). The term “judges” in Sefer Shoftim designates men who dealt out justice to the oppressed people. The word, however, means more than this and more than the modern ‘judge’: it means the leaders or rulers.”Although there are two additional stories at the end of Shoftim, the last judge is considered to be Samson.
Shmu’el (Samuel) – written by Shmu’el (Samuel)
Shmu’el is the third book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanakh and is part of the Nevi’im Rishonim – Former Prophets. This sefer was written by Samuel, Gad, and Nathan. Sefer Shmu’el gives the history of Israel from the concluding days of the Judges through the reigns of Saul and David. The sefer continues with the narrative up to David’s old age and decline in health.
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Melakhim (Kings) – written by the Melakhim (Kings)
Melakhim is the fourth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanakh and is part of the Nevi’im Rishonim – Former Prophets. This sefer was written by Jeremiah. Sefer Melakhim contains the accounts of the kings of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah. This sefer includes the annals of the Jewish commonwealth from the ascension of Solomon through the time of the subjugation of the kingdom by Nebuchadnezzar.
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Nevi’im Aharonim (Latter Prophets) READ MORE…
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) – written by Yeshayahu (Isaiah)
Yeshayahu is the fifth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanakh and is part of the Nevi’im Rishonim – Former Prophets. This sefer was written by Isaiah who lived in the late eighth century BCE. Sefer Yeshayahu contains the prophecies of various nations including Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and Israel. The prophecies concern the fact that God is the god over the whole earth and the nations are not secure in their own powers. These nations will be conquered by other nations at God’s command.A second theme of the prophecies includes the connections between worship and ethical behavior.A last theme of Sefer Yeshayahu is the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth.
Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) – written by Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah)
Yirmiyahu is the sixth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanakh and is part of the Nevi’im Rishonim – Former Prophets. Sefer Yirmiyahu can be divided into biographical, prose and poetic strands, each of which can be summarized separately. The biographical material is to be found in chapters 26–29, 32, and 34–44, and focuses on the events leading up to and surrounding the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 587. The non-biographical prose passages, such as the Temple sermon in chapter 7 and the covenant passage in 11:1–17, are scattered throughout the book. The poetic material found is found largely in chapters 1–25 and consists of oracles in which the prophet speaks as God’s messenger. These passages deal with Israel’s unfaithfulness to God, the call to repentance, and attacks on the religious and political establishment.
Yechezkiel (Ezekiel) – written by Yechezkiel (Ezekiel)
Yechezkiel is the seventh book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Nevi’im Aharonim – Latter Prophets. Sefer Ezekiel was written for the Jews who were being held captive in Babylon following the siege of Jerusalem in 597 BCE.Up to the point of the exile, religious expressions were based upon the sacrifices performed at the Temple in Jerusalem. However, since the Temple was destroyed and the people taken captive, there arose important theological issues. Ezekiel wrote about these problems and how they were to be resolved while the Jews were in exile in Babylon.The book falls into two principal parts which correspond to the two principle themes of Ezekiel. Chapters one through 24 speak about repentance and salvation and chapters 25 through 48 speak about judgment and restoration.
Trei Asar (Twelve Prophets) READ MORE…
Hoshea (Hosea) – written by Hoshea (Hosea)
Hoshea is the eighth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets.Hosea prophesied during a time in Israel’s history where the Northern Kingdom was declining and would eventually be exiled by the Assyrians. Idolatry was rampant and the golden calves replaced the worship of God in the Northern Kingdom. The prophecy of Hosea centers around God’s unending love toward a sinful Israel. God agonizes over the betrayal of Israel.
Yoel (Joel) – written by Yoel (Joel)
Yoel is the ninth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets. Based upon the traditional years of Joel’s life according to Judaism, the traditional dating of Sefer Yoel would be in the decades around 400 BCE. This would be during the Persian period which would make Joel one of the latest writing prophets. Sefer Joel is divided into two separate sections: a lament over a great locust plague and a severe drought and a promise of future redemption and blessings.
‘Amos (Amos) – written by ‘Amos (Amos)
‘Amos is the tenth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets.Amos prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam, ruler of Israel and Uzziah, king of Judah when both kingdoms were at the peak of their prosperity. Sefer Amos is set in a time when the people of the Northern Kingdom had reached a low point in their devotion to God. The people were greedy and the wealthy were becoming rich at the expense of the poor.
Ovadiah (Obadiah) – written by Ovadiah (Obadiah)
Ovadiah – the Book of Obadiah – is the eleventh book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets. Sefer Obadiah is a prophetic book that concerns itself with the divine judgment of Edom and the restoration of Israel.
Yonah (Jonah) – “written by Yonah (Jonah)
Yonah is the twelfth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets.Sefer Jonah is set during the reign of Jeroboam in the eighth century BCE. The sefer is the story of Jonah who is sent to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh and his attempts to escape this calling. Sefer Jonah is unlike the other books of the nevi’im. It is almost entirely written as a narrative with the exception of Jonah’s prayer in chapter two. The actual prophetic word against Nineveh is given only in passing within the narrative.
Michah (Micah) – written by Michah (Miach)
Michah is the thirteenth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets.Micah prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam, ruler of Israel and kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah when both kingdoms were at the peak of their prosperity. Micah was a native of the Kingdom of Israel. He prophesied against Israel but his prophecies were seen as being mostly targeting Judah.
Nachum (Nahum) – written by Nachum (Nahum)
Nachum is the fourteenth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets. Nahum prophesied during the reign of Manasseh, king of Judah approximately 70 years before the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. Sefer Nahum reveals the prophecy about the destruction of Assyria.
Chavakuk (Habakkuk) – written by Chavakuk (Habakkuk)
Chavakuk is the fifteenth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets. Habakkuk prophesied during the reign of Manasseh, king of Judah approximately 70 years before the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. The Book of Habakkuk can be divided into three sections according to the three chapters. The first section is a discussion between Habakkuk and G-d. The second section is a prophecy against Babylon. The last section is Habakkuk’s prayer.
Tzefaniah (Zephaniah) – written by Tzefaniah (Zephaniah)
Tzefaniah is the sixteenth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah, king of Judah, in the seventh century BCE, before the religious reform of King Josiah were established. Zephaniah was a contemporary of the prophet Yirmiyahu. The Book of Zephaniah can be divided into two broad sections. The first part speaks about the coming judgment upon the world. The second section is the promise of a universal salvation.
Chaggai (Haggai) – written by Chaggai (Haggai)
Chaggai is the seventeenth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets. Haggai prophesied in the sixth century BCE with Sefer Haggai begin written in 520 BCE. He prophesied during the time when the Jews were permitted to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple by decree of the Persian King Cyrus.
Zechariah (Zechariah) – written by Zechariah (Zechariah)
Zechariah is the eighteenth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets. Zechariah prophesied during the reign of Darius the Great and was a contemporary with Chaggai. Zechariah emerged as a leader of the Exiles and his leadership centered around the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Malachi (Malachi) – written by Malachi (Malachi)
Malachi is the nineteenth book in the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanach and is part of the Trei Asar – Twelve Prophets. Sefer Malachi was written as a response to the lax religious and social behaviors of the Israelites – especially the priests – in post-exilic Jerusalem. The people’s commitment to Hashem and Torah began to wane and Malachi was conscripted to rebuke the people.