Topical Bible: Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath

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Topical Encyclopedia

The writings of the prophets hold a significant place in the religious life and worship practices of the Jewish people, particularly in the context of synagogue services. These texts, which form a substantial portion of the Hebrew Bible, are revered as divinely inspired messages delivered through chosen individuals who served as God's mouthpieces. The tradition of reading from the prophets during synagogue services is deeply rooted in Jewish liturgical practice and is referenced in the New Testament, highlighting its continuity into the early Christian era.

Historical Context and Significance

The prophetic books, which include major prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, as well as the twelve minor prophets, were composed over several centuries. These writings address a range of themes, including calls to repentance, warnings of impending judgment, promises of restoration, and visions of the coming Messiah. The messages conveyed by the prophets were not only relevant to their immediate historical contexts but also carried enduring theological significance.

The practice of reading from the prophets in the synagogue is part of the broader tradition of public Scripture reading, which also includes the Torah. This custom is rooted in the post-exilic period when Ezra and Nehemiah reestablished the centrality of the Law and the Prophets in Jewish worship and community life. The reading of the prophets, known as the Haftarah, typically accompanies the weekly Torah portion and is selected to complement or reflect upon the themes of the Torah reading.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides evidence of the established practice of reading from the prophets in the synagogue. In Acts 13:27, the Apostle Paul, speaking in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, states, "The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath." This passage underscores the regularity with which the prophetic writings were read and the expectation that the Jewish community was familiar with their content.

Additionally, in Luke 4:16-21, Jesus Himself participates in this tradition. Upon entering the synagogue in Nazareth, He reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 61:1-2, and declares the fulfillment of this prophecy in His own ministry. This moment highlights the prophetic writings as not only a source of spiritual instruction but also as a testimony to the messianic mission of Jesus.

Theological Implications

The reading of the prophets in the synagogue serves multiple theological purposes. It reinforces the continuity of God's revelation and His covenantal relationship with Israel. The prophetic messages call the community to faithfulness, justice, and hope in God's redemptive plans. For Christians, the prophetic writings are seen as pointing to the life and work of Jesus Christ, affirming His role as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

The tradition of reading the prophets every Sabbath underscores the enduring relevance of these texts. They are not merely historical documents but living words that continue to speak to the spiritual and moral concerns of God's people. Through the regular engagement with the prophetic writings, the community is reminded of God's sovereignty, His righteous standards, and His promises of salvation and restoration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 4:17
And there was delivered to him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 13:15
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, You men and brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken?
... Pentateuch which the Scriptures everywhere call the writings of Moses? ... of Moses and
out of the prophets." (Acts 28 ... city them that preach him, being read in the ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/iv were christ and the.htm

Authorship of the Pentateuch.
... by Moses;" "They have Moses and the prophets," etc., we ... the law of Moses," out of
which he read to the ... the Sadducees, our Lord appealed to the writings of Moses ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter ix authorship of the.htm

Acts XV
... and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it ... you thus ignore the statue of
Moses, his writings will fall ... Moses is preached in every city, and read in the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xv.htm

The Wall Rebuilt.
... composed the Books of Kings from older writings, under the ... histories, and which books
of the Prophets to keep ... and lessons from the Scripture were read aloud and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xiv the wall rebuilt.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... [217:1]. The Jews divided the Pentateuch and the writings of the Prophets into sections,
one of which was read every Sabbath in the synagogue; [217:2 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its ...
... in the case of almost any other writings, by reason ... person as a Jew: "King Agrippa,
believest thou the prophets? ... city, them that preach him, being read in the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi one argument which.htm

The Council of Jerusalem.
... We know that there were in Antioch Prophets and Teachers, with whom Paul ... old hath
in every city them that preach him, being read in the ... "The writings of Moses ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvi the council of.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... know how the apostle Paul regarded this, let him read the fifteenth ... them hear them"
(Luke 16:29), Moses and the prophets are put for their writings; that is ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

The Jewish Dispersion in the West - the Hellenists - Origin of ...
... Law, the Prophets, [117] and the (sacred) Writings, or Hagiographa ... Great is the power
of the prophets,' he writes ... was read in the Hellenist Synagogues, and the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the jewish dispersion.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... was their proper and peculiar business to read and expound ... in reading the Law and
the Prophets, and in ... are versed in the ancient Jewish writings,) not content ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 25 upon our lords.htm