Volume 14

Forewords. - Historical and philological writings.

(Conclusion.)

Interpretation of the Old Testament.

(Conclusion.) Interpretations on the prophets Obadiah to Malachi.

Foreword.

The old edition of Walch contains in its fourteenth volume two main parts, each of which is provided with special pagination. The first part contains Luther's prefaces, as well as

Content

Open this section of Luther's works.

fourteenth part of the complete writings of Luther.

Doctor Martin Luther's forewords, also historical and philological writings. The Preface to the Prophet Isaiah, 1528, is found in vol. VI, col. 4.

Supplement to the sixth volume.

Dr. Martin Luther's Interpretation of the Old Testament. (Conclusion.)

1. Warning D. Mart. Luth.*)

St. Paul says: Avarice is the root of all evil. We experience such a saying in our shameful, evil time so powerfully as one does not find much of the same in all histories. For jus

2. preface from the Old Testament. *)

(First published in 1523.) (1) Some think that the Old Testament was given to the Jewish people alone, and that it is now gone, and only writes about past stories; they think that

3. preface about the book of Job

with the appendix found in the first printing Anno 1524. *) 1 The book of Job deals with this question: whether even the pious suffer misfortune from God? Here Job stands firm and

4. preface from the Psalter. *)

1528 or 1529. (1) Many holy fathers have praised and loved the Psalter especially above other books of Scripture. And indeed, the work itself praises its master enough; but we must

5 Preface on the Psalter published in Neuburg on the Danube in 1545. *)

1 Every Christian who wishes to pray and be devout should let the Psalter be his little book, and it would be good for every Christian to practice it and become so proficient in it

6. preface to the books of Solomon. *)

(1) Three books have the name of Solomon. The first is Proverbia, Proverbs, which may be called a book of good works, for in it he teaches how to live well before God and the world

7. preface from the Proverbs of Solomon. *)

(1) Because this book in particular has much to do with fools and wise men, and everywhere praises wisdom and chides foolishness, it is necessary to hear the language and words tha

8. preface from Ecclesiastes.

1 This book is called Koheleth in Hebrew, which is one who speaks publicly in a congregation. For Kahal means a congregation gathered together, which in Greek is called Ekklesia. O

9. preface to the prophets. *)

It seems to reason that the prophets are of little use, especially when Master Klügel, who knows the holy scriptures by heart and on the nails, comes upon them; out of the great we

10. preface on the prophet Jeremiah. *)

1 To understand the prophet Jeremiah, it must not take much gloss, if one only looks at the stories that happened among the kings, at which time he preached. For the way things wer

11. preface from the prophets Ezekiel. *)

Ezekiel went with King Jechansa, like Daniel and others, willingly to the prison of Babylon, according to the counsel of Jeremiah, because he always advised them to surrender to th

12. preface on the prophet Hosea. *)

Hosea lived and preached (as he himself indicates in the title) in the time of the other and last Jeroboam, king of Israel, at which time also Isaiah lived in Judah, also Amos and

13. preface from the prophets Joel.**)

1 Joel does not indicate at what time he lived and preached. But the ancients say: he was at the time when Hosea and Amos were; so we leave that alone and do not know how to improv

14. preface from the prophets Amos. *)

Amos shows his time, that he lived and preached in the time of Hosea and Isaiah, and preaches against the same vices and idolatry, or false saints, like Hosea does, and also procla

15. preface to the prophet ObadJa.*)

1 Obadiah does not indicate what time he lived, but his prophecy refers to the time of Babylonian imprisonment, for he comforts the people of Judah to come again to Zion. 002 And h

16. preface to the prophet Jonah. *)

1) Some want to hold this prophet Jonah, as Jerome shows that he was the son of the widow at Zarpath near Zidou, who nourished the prophet Eliam in his time, 1 Kings 17:9 and Luc 4

17. preface from the prophets Micah. *)

1 The prophet Micah was at the time of Isaiah. He also quotes the words of the same prophet, which are written in the second chapter, so that one can well feel how the prophets, wh

18. preface to the prophet Nahum.*)

1 The prophet Nahum prophesied of the destruction that the Assyrians would do against the people of Israel and Judah. As was done by Salmanasser and Sanherib because of their great

19. preface from the prophets Habakkuk.

This preface is found again word for word in Luther's "Auslegungen über den Propheten Habakuk", §§ 12-14, in this volume. The only difference is that there 8 12 begins: "So this Ha

20. preface from the prophets Zephaniah. *)

1 Zephaniah was in the time of Jeremiah the prophet, for he prophesied under King Josiah, as Jeremiah's title indicates. Therefore he prophesied the same thing that Jeremiah prophe

21. preface to the prophet Haggai? *)

1 Haggai is the first prophet given to the people after the prison of Babylon, through whose prophecy the temple and the service of God were restored, and Zechariah was given to hi

22. preface to the prophet Zechariah.*)

I1. This prophet was in Babylonian prison, and together with his companion Haggai, he helped to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, and to bring the scattered people together again,

23. preface to the prophet Malachi. *)

I. This Malachi the Hebrews hold to have been Ezra; this we leave so well, for we can have nothing certain of him, without which, to take so much from his prophecy, he was not long

24. preface to the book of Judith.**)

1) If one could prove the story of Judith from proven, certain histories, then it would be a noble, fine book, which should also be in the Bible, but it hardly rhymes with the hist

25 Preface to the Wisdom of Solomon, *)

1. 1) Because the present Diet at Speier has divided us, that we, who have taken the prophets before us to be fully translated, may not all be with each other, and I have been prev

26. preface from the book Tobia. *)

What is said of the book of Judith may also be said of this book of Tobiah. If it is a story, then it is a fine, holy story. But if it is a poem, then it is truly a quite beautiful

27 Preface to the Book of Jesus Sirach. *)

1 This book has been called in Latin Ecclesiasticus, which they have translated: the spiritual discipline. And is almost well practiced and used in the church, with reading, singin

28. preface to the book of Baruch. *)

Very low is this book, who also is the good Baruch. For it is not credible that St. Jeremiah's servant, who is also called Baruch (to whom this epistle is also dedicated), should n

29. preface from the first book of the Maccabees? *)

1 This book is also one of those that are not counted in the Hebrew Bibles. Although it keeps almost the same way with speeches and words, as other books of the holy scripture, and

39. preface from the second brook of the Maccabees. *)

This is called and shall be the other book Maccabaeorum, as the title indicates. But this cannot be right, because it reports some history that happened before the first book, and

31. preface from the plays Esther and Daniel. *)

(1) Here follow some pieces which we do not want to translate in the prophet Daniel and in the book of Esther. For we have plucked up such cornflowers (because they are not in the

32. preface from the New Testament,

according to the edition of Anno 1522 and 1527.**) It would be right and proper that this book should go out without all preface and foreign names, and only bear its own new name a

33. warning D. Mari. Luther to his New Testament printed,

Anno 1539.*) I ask all my friends and enemies, my master printers and readers, to let this New Testament be mine. Have they

34. preface to the Acts. *)

(1) This book is to be read and regarded, not as we have done, as if St. Lucas had written in it only the personal works or history of the apostles, as an example of good works or

Preface from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. *)

The fourth chapter.

The prophecy of this chapter is almost word for word also in Isaiah Cap. 2. I am completely of the opinion that Isaiah has taken his own from Micah, as I have also reminded above t

The seventh chapter.

In this last chapter, the prophet concludes his entire prophecy in general by punishing the perverse and godless customs. He proclaims the captivity and the future salvation. He is

The sixth chapter.

In these two previous chapters he has generally finished the prophecy of Christ and the reign of Christ through the gospel. Now he returns to his ministry in what follows, namely b

The seventh chapter.

In the last chapter, he has summarized his entire prophecy in a bundle, as it were, by first punishing the godless customs of the people and then moving on to the kingdom of Christ

3 Luther's comments on the prophet Micah,

in Luther's lectures. *)

According to the Zwickau manuscript.

Begun in March, finished April 7, 1525; printed 1886. Translated from Latin.

[The first chapter]

When the disturbance of the Jewish people was imminent and a new time was to come, many prophets were sent beforehand, who announced the disturbance, whether they could not move th

The second chapter.

In the first chapter one sermon is completed, this chapter is another sermon, which may have been preached on different days or at different times. And in the first one he announce

The third chapter.

I believe that this chapter is spoken repeatedly, because the text that just precedes is given after the captivity of the kingdom of Jacob, because it says that it should be gather

The fourth chapter.

We have this prophecy in the same way in Isaiah, Cap. 2. Micah seems to me to be older; Isaiah was his contemporary. I believe that Isaiah took this from Micah. After the destructi

The fifth chapter.

So far he has prophesied about the victorious army under Christ. Through this victory vengeance will be taken on the physical victors etc. After this victory is described, he now de

The sixth chapter.

Judicium, rather a matter of strife. He punishes the rich. He is all about punishing their customs and their vices, and admonishing them to walk rightly. He is bold, for the Lord h

The seventh chapter.

In this last chapter, the prophet concludes his entire prophecy in general by punishing the perverse and godless customs. He proclaims the captivity and the future salvation. He is

I. Interpretation of the Prophet Nahum.

according to the Altenburg manuscript. *) From lectures which began in June 1525 and ended on July 4, 1525. First printed in 1552, then after the manuscript in 1886.

[The first chapter.]

I like the opinion of Jerome, because he says that Elkos is the name of a village, the fatherland of Nahum. And so, as Micah was of Maresa, so Nahum was of Elkos. But he begins his

The second chapter.

The Hebrews place the beginning of the second chapter at the point where the prophet addresses his speech to Sanherib, saying: "That none of thy name's seed should remain. And so t

The third chapter.

The prophet still stands by his prophecy that Nineveh will be destroyed and the Assyrian kingdom laid waste. For though he has said these things abundantly in the second chapter ab

2. interpretation about the prophet Nahum

according to the Zwickau manuscript. *) From lectures which began in June 1525 and ended on July 4, 1525. First printed in 1886.

About Nahum.

The prophet brings his prophecy in line with his name, because Nahum means a comforter or a consoler. a) For the prophet comforts the tribe of Judah, which was almost in despair af

The first chapter.

As if one said in Latin: Liber visionis Nahum Helcosensis (of the city, as Micah got the name Moraschites from Maresa) de onere, quod futurum est super Niniven (the book of the pro

The second chapter.

Here he begins to describe the captivity of Nineveh and to depict it, as it were, before their eyes. And what the prophet had seen through the spirit in the heart as future, he pre

The third chapter.

This chapter is easy, only that the understanding of the words causes us some trouble. For the prophet still remains with the captivity of Nineveh, that is, the destruction of the

M. D. M. Luther's interpretations prophets Habakkuk.

by D. Martin Luther.*) (1) This prophet Habakkuk I have taken upon me to interpret, that he also may once come to day, and be seen what he hath in him, and what the Holy Ghost sait

The first chapter.

It is clear from the text that Habakkuk was long before the Babylonian prison, because he says that he saw the burden. For in the Hebrew language the prophets are called "seers" or

The second chapter.

(1) Here it comes to pass, and rightly so, that I have said above [Cap. 1, § 68] that the prophet does not stand alone for himself in the battle faith against the Babylonian fortun

The third chapter.

Cap. 2, 5. But the one who entrusts a proud man, so that he cannot stay, who opens his soul like hell, and is just like death, which cannot be satisfied, but draws to himself all t

The fourth chapter.

Cap. 3:1 This is the prayer of the prophet Habakkuk for the innocent. 1 David in the seventh Psalm, v. 1, also uses such a title, since he presents his innocence to God. But in Heb

2. interpretation on the prophet Habakkuk,

according to the Altenburg manuscript. *) Translated from Latin.

[The first chapter.]

"The Prophet." Apparently a hopeful title. For apart from this, almost no other prophet calls himself a prophet. (vim patiens)?

The second chapter.

In the previous chapter the prophet described the power and the exceedingly mighty troops of the king of the Chaldeans, and his coming over all nations and against all kingdoms, fr

[The third chapter.] *)

Cap. 2, 5. But wine deceives the proud man. According to the Hebrew it is said: As wine makes someone bad or reprehensible, so will it be with the proud man. That is to say, as win

The fourth chapter.

In this prayer, the prophet has had to suffer great distortion, not only from the interpreters, but also from the commentators. For almost every single interpreter has invented suc

3. interpretation on the prophet Habakkuk,

according to the Zwickau manuscript. *) Translated from Latin.

[The first chapter.]

"The Prophet", 1) this is a proud title which no other prophet has attached to himself. [Instead of: Vociferabor ad te vim patiens] it should be: "I call to you about iniquity", so

The second chapter.

In the foregoing we have seen that the coming of the Chaldeans over all peoples and Gentiles is clearly described. So the prophet worked before the captivity. Here the punishment o

[The third chapter.]

Cap. 2, 5. But wine deceives the proud man. It should be a new chapter. So it is to be read: But how the wine deceives. A proud man is like the wine that deceives, cheats or makes

The fourth chapter. *)

Cap. 3:1 This is the prayer of the prophet Habakkuk for the innocent. The prophet has suffered much here in this prayer (after his death he is made a martyr) by the interpreters, [

1. interpretation on the prophet Zephaniah,

according to the Altenburg manuscript. *) Translated from Latin.

[The first chapter.]

I do not care about the question of Jerome, since he does not only dwell here but also elsewhere with many words, namely whether all those whom he lists here as forefathers were pr

The second chapter.

In the previous chapter we saw the prophetic threat of the future Babylonian captivity. Now, 1) after the threat of disaster (as is the custom with all prophets), he exhorts to rep

The third chapter.

This third chapter prophesies 1) about the city of Jerusalem and the people of God, who lived in Jerusalem after the return from the captivity, after the rulers, the priests and th

2. interpretation on the prophet Zephaniah,

according to the Zwickau manuscript. *) From lectures given from August 13 to about September 10, 1525. Printed in 1886.

[The first chapter.]

Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, was the father of Amon. 2) Josiah is one of the noblest kings of Judah. This prophet was shortly before the captivity. The question which Jerome rais

The second chapter.

Here he still urges them to convert and shows them the destruction of the neighboring Gentiles and the surrounding peoples. 3) We have seen in the previous chapter the prophetic th

The third chapter.

2) This third chapter, although it has been treated in many ways, is a prophecy of the people after the return from the Babylonian captivity, when the kingdom was restored and had

O. Interpretation of the Prophet Haggai.

according to the Altenburg manuscript. *) From Luther's lectures, which began on September 11, 1525, and were probably completed in the same month. Printed in 1886.

[The first chapter.]

This prophet was simultaneous with Zechariah, for both prophesied under King Darius (namely, the fourth, who first succeeded King Cambyses in the reign), except that Haggai began t

The second chapter.

There seems to be a difference here in what has been said, 3) namely in the distance of the days from each other. For in the first chapter the prophet says that he began the prophe

2. interpretation on the prophet Haggai, according to the Zwickau manuscript. *)

From Luther's lectures, which began on September 11, 1525, and were probably completed in the same month. Printed in 1886. [Preface] on Haggai.

[The first chapter.]

The Hebrews use the same expression ambiguously. Gen. 1, 5: This unus, that is, the first day. It means both [, One day and the first day]. Here it must be translated "the first."

The second chapter.

"On the fourth and twentieth day of the sixth month" and [v. 2.] "on the one and twentieth day of the seventh month," how does this agree with each other? On the first day of the s

P. Interpretations on the prophet Zechariah.

Published by Luther himself in German at the end of December 1527. 1. God, the Almighty Father, has given us at this time many excellent, learned people, who act mightily on the Ho

The first chapter.

(1) In the prophet Habakkuk (preface § 5. 6) we heard how the ministry and preaching of the old prophets had been of the two things: The first, that they kept the people in discipl

The second chapter.

This is also a new sermon and a new vision, there are three angels. The first one appears with a cord or measure. The other one, who is used to speak with the prophet, who is Micha

The third chapter.

V. 1. 2. And Joshua the high priest was shown to me, standing before the angel of the Lord. And Satan stood on his right hand to oppose him. [And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord

The fourth chapter.

V.1-3. And the angel that talked with me came again, and awoke me, as one is awakened from sleep. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said: I look, and behold, there is a cand

The fifth chapter.

(1) Thus do the holy apostles: when they have preached the faith and Christian doctrine, they afterwards proclaim the future deceivers and false teachers, as Christ also does, sayi

The sixth chapter.

V.1-3. And I lifted up mine eyes, and looked. And, behold, there were four chariots coming out from between two mountains; and the same mountains were of brass. In the first chario

The seventh chapter.

So far the prophet has preached for two years and brought the people back to the right faith, comforting them that they should be safe from their enemies from the north, because tw

The eighth chapter.

(vv. 1-3) And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I have been almost very jealous over Zion, and have been jealous over her in great wrath. Thu

The ninth chapter.

So far we have heard how the prophet comforted and strengthened the stupid and frightened Jews to build the temple for the preparation of the future kingdom of Christ. And even tho

The tenth chapter.

1 This is said of the spiritual rain, that is, of the teaching of the gospel, on the opinion: Since the gospel is promised to come in the previous chapter, send yourselves also to

The eleventh chapter.

(1) Hitherto he had proclaimed the kingdom of Christ, and the power and fruit of the gospel, that is, faith among the Gentiles; but here he proclaims the destruction of the temple

The twelfth chapter.

(1) This chapter I understand from the burden of the cross, which should go over the right people of Israel for the sake of the gospel. For in the previous chapter he separated him

The thirteenth chapter.

At that time the house of David and the citizens of Jerusalem will have a free open fountain against sin and uncleanness. 1. all this is said to confirm the previous speeches about

The fourteenth chapter.

V. 1.2 Behold, the time cometh unto the Lord, that thou shalt be a spoil and a prey. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. And the city shall be taken, and the

2. interpretation on the prophet Zechariah,

according to the Altenburg manuscript. *) Translated from Latin.

[The first chapter.]

Above in the beginning of the Haggai I reminded that these two, Haggai and Zechariah, had been contemporaries. Haggai, however, preceded him by two months, which is indicated by th

The second chapter.

In this second chapter, the prophet himself does what a preacher is wont to do, and turns history into a prophecy with a spiritual interpretation (prophetiam allegoricam). For as h

The third chapter.

In the previous chapters we have seen that the prophet dealt with it, that he encouraged and strengthened the people, so that they should continue to promote and finish building th

The fourth chapter.

In the previous chapter we saw the abundant comfort with which the Lord, through the prophet, comforted the high priest, who was the leader of the people who had returned from capt

The fifth chapter.

This chapter has been dealt with in many ways by the sacred writers, but we will leave such trivial things and human opinions and tackle the matter ourselves as best we can. In the

The sixth chapter.

This chapter is dark in itself, and the various opinions of the commentators darken it even more. Therefore, I am also somewhat in doubt about the correct interpretation, but I bel

The seventh chapter.

The following two chapters are in themselves quite clear and easy, now that the difficulties of the visions are over. With the exposition of what is contained in the first six chap

The eighth chapter.

This chapter is also easy and clear from the previous one. For I have said that it is necessary to observe how the prophet describes two times: the one in which the people were bro

The ninth chapter.

The first part of this prophet is approximately finished. In what follows, he will prophesy of things to come, namely of what follows in the times until Christ and after Christ. Ho

The tenth chapter.

The prophet continues to play with secret interpretations, images and figures as he had started. But this whole passage is quoted almost verbatim in Matthew Cap. 9, 1) 36, where he

The eleventh chapter.

So far the prophet has predicted the future kingdom of Christ and what fruit the gospel to be spread in the world by the apostles would bring, namely that the Gentiles should be co

The twelfth chapter.

The exegetes make a strange effort in explaining this chapter, one twisting it here, the other there. Lyra interprets it from the persecution of the first church, and goes over to

The thirteenth chapter.

The prophets, who had the custom of the law and the ceremonies in the law, had at the same time the understanding of the future things, because the Holy Spirit taught them inwardly

Q. D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the prophet Malachi. *)

Probably laid out in 1526; printed in 1552. About Malachi.

The first chapter.

The summa of this prophet is that he rejects the synagogue and describes it as contemptible, as it were, as an old hag, which is now should be abandoned. Therefore, almost all the

The second chapter.

Above they used poverty as an excuse for their avarice, therefore God threatens them here that he will send them poverty in truth. For what the wicked fears will come upon him. But

The third chapter.

The people are weary, the preacher and the prophet are weary. They say, "Wait here, wait there" [Isa. 28:10.] etc. As much as we serve the Lord, the Gentiles fare better than we. Bu

The fourth chapter.

All this is said of Christ, and this is spoken by those who fear God and comfort one another. Admittedly, the godly have everything against them for a time while they trust in the