Ebook: The Religious Polemics of Amos: Studies in the Preaching of Amos 2,7B-8; 4,1-13; 5,1-27; 6,4-7; 8,14

A detailed exegesis of the passages indicated in the title leads Barstad to the conclusion that they are not so much dealing with social injustice as with a religious polemic directed against the non-Yahwistic cults which flourished in Israel. If this is correct, it will lead to a radical reappraisal of the contrast between Amos and Hosea as generally represented in the text books. However, while Barstad’s study is developed with admirable clarity and impressive mastery of primary and secondary sources, not all will be immediately convinced. Much depends, for instance, on the understanding of mrzḥ in vi 7; the interpretation suggested for ii 7-8 and iv 1 depends upon it. Elsewhere, too, the case rests upon a specific choice between a number of difficult possibilities. Despite these reservations, this is a stimulating monograph, which merits further analysis and discussion.