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Nashville, TN, U.S.A.: Abingdon Press, 1996. 887 pages. (Two dust jackets) A beautiful book. Handsome in gold, red and green on black. Volume VII of the twelve volume set covers Introdution to Apocalyptic Literature, Daniel, the additions to Daniel, and the Twelve Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. There are charts, maps and diagrams, a glossary and a transliteration schema. This set consists of two translations of the Bible side by side: the full text of the New International Version (NIV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). These are printed in parallel columns, and critical notes are included. Since every translation is to some extent an interpretation as well, the inclusion of these two widely known and influential modern translations - which differ in their approaches in presenting the story of the Bible - provides an easy comparison which in many cases will lead to a fuller understanding of a passage. In addition to these texts, the volumes provide a detailed Commentary, compiled by scholars with specialised knowledge in the books upon which their commentary is written, including linguistic, historical, philosophical, sociological and theological issues involved in understanding the passages. Additionally, commentaries are supplemented with Reflections. These reflections are specifically designed to aid those who are hoping to use the text in personal and parish use, as distinguished from academic use. Recognising that the Bible is the church's Scripture and that it has the capacity to shape the life of the Christian community, this section present multiple possibilities for preaching and teaching in light of each biblical text. The books are introduced by essays, outlined for ease of study, and have annotated bibliographies for further study. Volumes I and VIII also include general articles on the Bible and the Old Testament, and the New Testament (respectively). Other volumes include essays discussing the type of literature of the books (narrative, poetry, gospel, wisdom literature, etc.). At $60 - $75 per volume, this is not a set that everyone will rush out to purchase. In fact, it is probably best used as part of a library's reference collection. Being as I am the kind of person who usually needs to study at 2 a.m. (and finding few libraries open at 2 a.m.), I had little choice but to purchase the set (or, at least, that is the excuse I give myself to help justify the expense). As a bit of an example, from the first volume, the passage on Abraham and Melchidezek (one of my personal favourite, enigmatic characters in the Bible). In the volumes, the books are divided into coherent passages, so as not to lose track of meaning that a verse-by-verse commentary will sometimes do. The page lays out the passages of Genesis 14:1-24 NIV and NRSV side-by-side. The commentary then begins: This chapter stands among the most difficult in the book of Genesis, evident not least in the unusual number of its unique or rare words and phrases. Scholars have not been able to identify all of these persons or places. To the extent that they are known, and may be set in the second millennium BCE, they are not simply to be taken at face value, by have some typographical significance. Moreover, the portrayal of Abram as a military leader stands in some tension with the rest of the cycle. The historical basis of the story remains difficult to discern. The commentary proceeds to discuss the events in question, as well as an extended discussion of the mysterious Melchizedek, whose name includes Z-D-K, a possible precursor of the zadok priestly line; a priest-king who seems to bring a communion set with him and performs a ceremony similar to a seder and a eucharist; servant of God-Most-High (in a time before monotheism, and certainly the worship of the God of Abraham, was known even in isolated regions), Melchizedek shows very early on that God is God of all. There is much treasure to found in these volumes. Unlikely to be used as a 'start at the beginning and keep reading to the end' Bible, this has more of the usefulness and 'look-and-feel' of an encyclopedia. By the time the remaining volumes are published, it will be nearly 12,000 pages. But this is a once-in-a-generation project, and an incredibly worthy addition to any library, professional or private. . Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. Folio - over 12" - 15" tall.