The Books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi /
Series known by initialism: CBC
commentary by Rex Mason.
- Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1977.
- xii, 168 pages ; 21 cm.
- The Cambridge Bible commentary, New English Bible .
- Cambridge Bible commentary. .
Includes bibliographical references (page 163) and index.
The footnotes to the New English Bible text -- Events in the time of Haggai and Zechariah -- How the prophetic books came to us -- Haggai -- Zechariah 1-8 -- Zechariah 9-14 -- Malachi -- A note on further reading -- Index.
As in other volumes of the Cambridge Bible Commentary, there are introductions to the books dealt with, followed by the text of the New English Bible divided into sections. Each section of the text is followed by the commentary upon it. The preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah gave a new impetus to the life of the 'remnant' of the Jewish people returned from the Babylonian exile. Haggai stresses the importance of the relationship to God of the community as a whole, while Zechariah is seen as a prophet of hope, promising Yahweh's salvation to his people. Dr Mason considers Malachi, dating perhaps from a little later than the other two, a fitting conclusion to the group of prophetic books, in that it reminds its readers of the role of the prophets in preparing the people for God's coming, that they might enjoy salvation rather than suffer punitive judgement.