The six Old Testament books dealt with in this volume of the Commentary
are part of a larger unit originally copied on one scroll and called,
for the sake of simplicity, the books of the twelve or minor prophets.
The prophetic visions, liturgies and oracles contained in the twelve
books were collected over a period of more than 300 years and given
their final shape not earlier than the middle of the fifth century BC.
In his opening chapter Dr Watts provides the historical and liturgical
background to the books and discusses the nature and role of prophecy in
worship. In the style established for the series, the NEB translation of
the text then follows, divided into brief sections alternating with
sections of commentary. The results of Old Testament scholarship and
modern theological though are conveyed to the student and the layman in
simple language.