This volume explores the themes of theodicy and hope in both individual portions of the Twelve (books and sub-sections) and in the Book of the Twelve as a whole, as the contributors use a diversity of approaches to the text(s) with a particular interest in synchronic perspectives. While these essays regularly engage the mostly redactional scholarship surrounding the Book of Twelve, there is also an examination of various forms of literary analysis of final text forms, and engagement in descriptions of the thematic and theological perspectives of the individual books and of the collection as a whole.

The synchronic work in these essays is thus in regular conversation with diachronic research, and as a general rule they take various conclusions of redactional research as a point of departure. The specific themes, theodicy and hope, are key ideas that have provided the opportunity for contributors to explore individual books or sub-sections within the Twelve, and the overarching development (in both historical and literary terms) and deployment of these themes in the collection.

George Athas is director of research at Moore Theological College, Australia.

Beth M. Stovell is professor of Old Testament and Chair of general theological studies at Ambrose Seminary of Ambrose University, Canada.

Daniel Timmer is professor of biblical studies for the doctoral program at Puritan Reformed Seminary and professor of Old Testament at the Faculté de théologie évangélique, Canada.

Colin M. Toffelmire is associate professor of Old Testament and Chair of the School of Ministry at Ambrose University, Canada.