A while back, I was asked to teach a course surveying the prophetic books of the Bible to a college class. As I compiled my notes together, I wanted to present my students not merely the information about the ancient texts themselves, but to describe the world in which the prophets of Israel lived. Their messages were not spoken in a cultural vacuum and should be read in the context of their world and issues. There is so much culture in the lives of the prophets that we can miss if we don't attempt to study the ancient world. And this is how a series of these video lectures came to be, out of a college class I once taught.

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The original lectures were edited to preserve the most essential and pivotal material. The lectures were broken up into shorter, digestible segments (34 in total). The entire series is almost 15 hours long, hence the shorter bite-size segments. As you watch or listen, it will be helpful to have your favorite Bible translation open to follow along more easily.

I highly recommend working through segments 01-05 first. They create a framework through which we can approach individual books of the prophets.

The World of Hebrew Prophets: 01-02 Geography and Era (~1.5h)
The words of the prophets can only be understood in their context. Only the books of the prophets themselves do not always give much context. Usually, we encounter their oracles without any explanations. To make sense of the world of the biblical prophets, we have to develop a grasp of
PSHIR.COMPinchas Shir

Not all prophets left us books, but they are still considered prophets. It's essential to understand who prophets really are and who they are not.

The World of Hebrew Prophets: 04-05 Prior to Monarchy (~2h)
What makes one a prophet? How can their words be validated? How can their calling from above be verified? In this socio-cultural study of ancient Israelite prophets, it would not be proper to only discuss the lives of those who left us books named after them, such as Isaiah, Amos,
PSHIR.COMPinchas Shir

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are not simple books to grasp, but Christians will find them very familiar because there are so many citations, references, and allusions to these prophets scattered throughout the New Testament.

The World of Hebrew Prophets: 06-11 Isaiah (~3 hrs)
In the first part we explore the first 40 chapters of the Book of Isaiah, delving into its historical context and symbolic language. We consider Isaiah’s words in light of the Syro-Ephraimite War, crucial dates like the fall of Samaria and Jerusalem. We examine the covenant lawsuit against Israel, the
PSHIR.COMPinchas Shir
The World of Hebrew Prophets: 12-17 Jeremiah (~2.5 hrs)
In this first lecture, we delve into the intricate details of the Book of Jeremiah, looking at Chapters 1-30, and examining its structure, themes, and historical context. A systematic approach connects historical events and prophetic messages in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the text. We discuss the setting
PSHIR.COMPinchas Shir
The World of Hebrew Prophets: 18-21 Ezekiel (~1.3 hrs)
Peek into the life of a prophet caught between exiles, navigating through divine visions and relaying a timeless message of hope and restoration amidst judgment. In this lecture, originally delivered to a class at a Christian college, I explore how Ezekiel’s unique position defies traditional prophet categorizations and challenges ancient
PSHIR.COMPinchas Shir

Working through The Scroll of the Twelve Prophets (sessions 22-34) may force you to come back to a history and geography lecture. Each prophet presents a unique message to Israel, yet many of the themes overlap and speak with a united voice.

The World of Hebrew Prophets: 22-34 The Twelve (~4h)
This part of the teaching on the prophets focuses on Trei Asar, “The Scroll of the Twelve.” The videos in Part 1 are over 2 hours long and are broken up into multiple segments covering Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah. This seminar looks at the messages of the
PSHIR.COMPinchas Shir

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Stone Edition Tanach (English Only)

This English language edition of Tanach is perfect for anyone seeking to connect with Jewish heritage, understand unfamiliar biblical passages, or simply deepen their spiritual journey. Whether you're exploring the Prophets for the first time or revisiting familiar Torah stories, this edition makes every page meaningful. The volume contains all 24 books of the Jewish Bible supplied with expert commentary and insights. It includes sidebar guides, maps, timelines, and "at-a-glance" summaries. Rabbi Nosson Scherman's international team of experts also offers you Temple diagrams, genealogies, and biblical illustrations. This clear, flowing, and readable translation is faithful to the Orthodox Jewish perspective as it brings ancient texts to life to a new generation. 1,400 pages of eternal wisdom in beautiful English await you. The link below will take you to the 5x8 size.

See it on AMAZON