Volume 6

Interpretations on the major and some of the minor prophets, namely Hosea, Joel and Amos.

(The interpretation of the remaining minor prophets is found in the fourteenth volume).

Foreword.

Walch has brought together in the sixth volume of his edition all of Luther's interpretations of the prophets that were known at his time. Since then, the material belonging to it

Content

Open this section of Luther's works.

The sixth part of Luther's complete writings.

(Continued.) More extensive explanation of the 9th chapter of Isaiah.

X. D. Martin Luther's Interpretations on the Prophets.

Laid out 1527--1530. Printed 1532 and 1534. Translated from Latin.

Short report by the publisher of the Wittenberg Latin edition of 1534.

The printer wishes the reader good luck. When I let these notes go out in print two years ago, it happened, due to my excessive haste at the time, that they came to light somewhat

D. Martin Luther's Preface from the Prophets of Isaiah.*)

(1) If anyone wishes to read the holy prophet Isaiah usefully and understand it more fully, let him (if he has no better knowledge) not despise this counsel and advice of mine: fir

Short remarks (scholia) on Isaiah,

compiled from the lectures of Doctor Martin Luther. (1) Whoever wants to explain this prophet must understand two things: First, the grammar, and that he is firm in it and has it p

Short remarks (scholia) on Isaiah.

1. this is, as I already stated in the preface [§§ 1. 2], the title of the book, which one must make known diligently because it shows us the time in which Isaiah lived. Since the

The second chapter.

The kingdom of Judah was preserved after the Babylonian captivity so that Christ would be born in it, as God had promised. Now, since in the first chapter he describes the coming c

The third chapter.

In the previous chapter he described the power of the kingdom of Christ, now he threatens the Jews, who would not accept Christ, with desolation. Therefore this text is a historica

The fourth chapter.

1) He foretold the miserable fall of the Jewish kingdom, now he comforts the remaining ones again and says: the best part of the people will be left, who shall receive the glorious

The fifth chapter.

The prophet now repeats the threat of the future desolation, but under a different image. As if he wanted to say: Well then, they will not be moved by these threatening words; ther

The sixth chapter.

This chapter contains a vision of the future extermination of the synagogue. For the prophet is very rich in words, therefore he has often presented one and the same thing with cha

The seventh chapter.

Here Isaiah begins a new prophecy with which he comforts the unbelieving king Ahaz, who was in the greatest danger because the two very powerful kings of Syria and Israel were figh

The eighth chapter.

Here we can most easily begin the eighth chapter. But this also belongs to the previous chapter. For at the end of the seventh chapter he had said about the flooding up to the neck

The ninth chapter.

Here he inserts a prophecy of the future kingdom of Christ, of the unbelief of the Jews, and of the church that should be gathered from the Gentiles. V. 2: The people who walk in d

D. Martin Luther's Extensive Explanation of the Ninth Chapter of Isaiah, *)

The book is a compilation of his lectures by M. Georg Rörer and subsequently written in more detail by M. Johann Freder. Issued around Christmas 1543; printed 1546.

Interpretation of the ninth chapter of Zesaiä.

Brief Preface. The day of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is approaching, which must be celebrated and praised with joy in the Church, as at all other times, especially on the d

V. 1. 2. Woe to those who make unjust laws.

(1) Hitherto the prophet has spoken of individual punishments, namely, insurrection, war, famine, concerning the word 2c.; now he sets forth the last punishment in general: that th

The eleventh chapter.

In the previous chapter he describes the fall of the king of Assyria and the redemption of Judah. Now he begins a new chapter, and adds to the bodily promise a prophecy of the futu

The twelfth chapter.

Now he adds a song in which he describes how the preaching of the new testament is. But it is, as it were, a concealed opposition to the worship of the Old Testament. As if he want

The thirteenth chapter.

(1) What the prophet has spoken about so far is really a matter for the Jewish people. For he has spoken both of the present kingdom of the Jews and of the future kingdom of Christ

The fourteenth chapter.

This chapter has the same content as the previous one. For since the prophet foresaw that the Babylonians would make the Jews their servants and would afflict them very severely, a

The fifteenth chapter.

1. the chapters are divided unrhymed, therefore we want to make a small change with the beginning of the chapters. 2 Above he spoke about Sanherib; this story happened in the fifte

The sixteenth chapter.

001 This is a prophecy against Moab. As he ascribes vengeance to the Philistines, so he ascribes presumption to the Moabites. For they were a very proud people, because of the grea

The seventeenth chapter.

(1) Hitherto he prophesied against those that lie toward the morning and evening; now he turns toward the north, and prophesies against Damascus, which was the capital of the kingd

The eighteenth chapter.

Here he speaks of the peoples who live on the shore of the Red Sea, as -a are the Troglodytes, Egyptians, Arabs, Ishmaelites 2c., who live from robbery, and have a great experience

The nineteenth chapter.

1 Now he also prophesies misfortune over Egypt. For the king of Assyria was at that time the common breed of all the neighboring nations, as the Turk is today. 2 That is, God will

The twentieth chapter.

1 The prophet prophesies against the Moors and Egyptians at the same time, condemning the reliance on the covenants they had made among themselves. 2.n ) This passage serves to con

The twenty-first chapter.

1. he announces his burden to Babylon. For the prophet was very angry with the Babylonians, because they would destroy the rest of the people of Judah and the temple, which the Ass

The twenty-second chapter.

Here he himself prophesies misfortune to Jerusalem, and especially to its court master, Zebna [v. 15]. But it is doubtful what this misfortune was. I think that it was the first Ba

The twenty-third chapter.

So far the prophet has announced to Jerusalem and almost all neighboring nations their impending disaster. Now Tyre and Zidon are left, of which he speaks in this chapter. Because

The twenty-fourth chapter.

After the prophet has gone through the neighboring nations and peoples, he finally comes back to his people. And here arises the question, of what kind of desolation he speaks? Som

The twenty-fifth chapter.

The content is the same as that of the previous chapter, except that here he describes the devastation in different words and with different images. He begins with thanksgiving in

The twenty-sixth chapter.

So far, he has described the desolation of the synagogue and the Jewish kingdom. Therefore, the song that follows here cannot be understood from the earthly Jerusalem, but it must

The twenty-seventh chapter.

In this chapter he indicates that at the time of Christ's future the Lord will strike the Egyptians, Assyrians and Jews, and all the other kingdoms of the world, by the sword of th

The twenty-eighth chapter.

Here is a great confusion in the order, because he describes what should follow last, first, as the prophets usually do. For I understand the first part of this chapter from the ki

The twenty-ninth chapter.

Just as he described the taxation at the end of the previous chapter and comforted the godly, so he describes here the complete destruction and threatens the godless with the sword

The thirtieth chapter.

Here begins a new speech. For the prophet comes again to the people and to their times, exhorting them to faith and to the fear of God. For Sanherib king of Assyria drew near to th

The Thirty-First Chapter.

The content of this chapter is the same as the previous one. For the prophet admonishes his own in various ways, both by threats and by promises, so that he may draw them away from

The Thirty-Second Chapter.

(1) I consider that the former part of this chapter must be connected with the preceding words, that the opinion is this: Though the king of Assyria rages against Judah, yet, notwi

The Thirty-Third Chapter.

1 He now returns to his subject, namely the Assyrians; and to comfort his own, he prophesies to the Assyrians their future defeat. Woe unto thee, thou destroyer, who art not destro

The Thirty-Fourth Chapter.

1 The two following chapters are understood by different people in different ways. Most of the commentators refer them to the last day. I leave others to their opinion, but hold th

The Thirty-Fifth Chapter.

In the previous chapter he spoke about the last desolation of the synagogue. Now follows the prophecy of the church itself, which sprang from the remnant of the desolate synagogue.

The Thirty-Sixth Chapter.

This chapter is clear and explicit, because it contains a simple narration of the story of how Sanherib besieged Jerusalem. But the reader must be reminded here not to be too carel

The Thirty-Seventh Chapter.

In the previous chapter we heard that one should not argue with the blasphemous spirit, because it only becomes more and more irritated. Therefore, one must follow the advice of He

The thirty-eighth chapter.

When the temptation of despair on the left is overcome, the temptation of pride on the right tends to follow, which is exceedingly difficult. For the human mind cannot but be puffe

The Thirty-Ninth Chapter.

1 This history is described a little more extensively against the frightening monster of presumption. The Lord had preserved Hezekiah in the beginning during the siege and the war,

The fortieth chapter.

This is the second part of this prophetic book. For the prophet has divided it into two parts. The first, which we have heard so far, is historical, and deals with the things in wh

The Forty-First Chapter.

He continues to comfort his own and to refute the adversaries. But he makes what he said before credible by citing an exceedingly great example. He contrasts this with the stories

The Forty-Second Chapter.

So far, we have heard a wide-ranging treatise on the righteousness of faith. Although this righteousness is weak in this flesh, he has opposed it to all the splendor of idols and h

The Forty-Third Chapter.

He continues to comfort the church gathered from the rest of the synagogue, which has departed from the law and followed the righteousness of faith, which the prophet has treated i

The Forty-Fourth Chapter.

In the three previous chapters, he discussed the righteousness of faith. He praised this righteousness and the gospel in many ways. He also refuted his own righteousness, and added

The Forty-Fifth Chapter.

Here the prophet starts to talk about the restoration of the Jews by Cyrus. Furthermore, it is to be noted as something special and strange that he calls Cyrus an anointed one of G

The Forty-Sixth Chapter.

The prophet still remains with the promises and consolations that God will snatch his own out of the Babylonian captivity by Cyrus. But he speaks primarily to those who let themsel

The Forty-Seventh Chapter.

The prophet has had enough arguments with his idolatrous Jews, who sought salvation through their actions and despised the promises. Now he turns to the Babylonians and threatens t

The forty-eighth chapter.

1 This is as it were the conclusion of the promise of salvation. For he warns his own to beware of other prophecies, though they boast of great things, and by abominable curses and

The forty-ninth chapter.

The prophets generally deal with two things. First, they teach the people of their time about faith and good works. They comfort the afflicted and frighten the unbelievers. Second,

The fiftieth chapter.

1) Because the prophet began in the last part of his prophecy to speak of the kingdom of Christ, which was begun and confirmed by the calling of the Gentiles and the rejection of t

The fifty-first chapter.

He continues to comfort the church gathered from the rest of the Jews and from the Gentiles, which is afflicted for the sake of the Word. Thou church thinkest thou art a forsaken w

The fifty-second chapter.

The prophet began to prophesy about the kingdom of Christ, the gospel, the faith and the church. However, he did not treat this subject in one speech, but, as we are wont to do in

The Fifty-Third Chapter.

So far the prophet has described the kingdom of Christ under the cross and added many and glorious consolations of the church and the saints. 1) In this chapter, however, he deals

D. Martin Luther's more extensive explanation of the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah,*)

compiled by M. Georg Rörer. Laid out in the Passion and Easter seasons 1544; printed 1550.

Interpretation of the 53rd chapter of the prophet Isaiah

by the venerable Father and Lord D. Martin Luther. This whole fifty-third chapter does not speak of any nation or man, but actually of Christ, the Head Himself. For by correct dedu

The fifty-fourth chapter.

Just as the prophet described Christ as the head of the kingdom in the previous chapter, so here he will describe his body, that is, the church, which is oppressed, barren and aban

The fifty-fifth chapter.

The prophet has so far taught in many chapters what Christ, likewise, what the church fei, namely an assembly of those who adhere to the word, not to visible things. He comforted t

The fifty-sixth chapter.

In the beginning of this chapter, Isaiah acts as a minister of the law, exhorting the people to the righteousness of the law, so that through the law, as through a disciplinarian,

The Fifty-Seventh Chapter.

1 This is a general punishment of hypocrites and of those who go against the word. For he condemns the works saints and idolaters for sinning against the first commandment. First,

The fifty-eighth chapter.

(1) In the foregoing he punished sins against faith; here he attacks the fruits of unbelief and the outward vices which were hidden under their hypocrisy. For these are the two mos

The fifty-ninth chapter.

In this chapter, the prophet answers the wicked who attributed the present calamity not to their sins but to the word of God, just as now, after having begun to teach the word of G

The sixtieth chapter.

(1) We have often remembered that the office of the prophets is twofold, the one to exhort, correct, and punish the people of their time, which is the preaching of the law; the oth

The sixty-first chapter.

In the previous chapter he described the body and the kingdom; now he describes the king and the head itself. But since the essence of religion is that we know Christ well, we shou

The sixty-second chapter.

1 The word is both hated and despised by the world, for the adversaries pursue it with violence and cunning. The others, who do not persecute it, either despise it, or hold it in l

The sixty-third chapter.

(1) The prophet, according to his custom, adds a threat to the promise and exhortation, so that the hardened, who do not respect the promises and laugh at the exhortations, may at

The sixty-fourth chapter.

Because the prophet is saddened by the previous sermon about the future fall of the people, he turns his mind away from the examples of wrath and focuses it on the past benefits of

The sixty-fifth chapter.

This is the last sermon of the prophet, and the last threat of the future desolation of the synagogue in the time of Christ, and of the calling of the Gentiles. For these prophecie

B. An Epistle from the Prophet Jeremiah

Preached in 1526; printed in 1527. Behold, the time cometh, saith the LORD, when I will establish a right plant for David, and a king shall reign, that shall rule wisely, and do ju

C. D. Martin Luther's translation of the 38th and 39th chapters of the prophet Ezekiel from Gog,

together with preface and marginal notes.*) Translated end of April 1530; issued beginning of June 1530.

The 38th and 39th chapters of Ezekiel vom Gog, translated 1530.

1. because in the Revelation of St. John, chapter 20, v. 8, the Gog is described as fighting against Christianity with a great army, like sand on the sea, innumerable, and finally

The thirty-eighth chapter.

Mesech and Thubal are also Tattern and of the people back there, who are called Schütten or Schotten; however Mesech reads, as if the Moschobiter come from them, that is, the Reuss

The Thirty-Ninth Chapter.

V. 2. Behold, I will be upon thee, O Gog, who art a prince of the lords of Meshech and Tubal. Behold, I will direct thee round about, and lure thee, and bring thee out of the ends

D. D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the prophet Daniel.

Written in February 1530; dated about March 1530.

[1. letter of the translation of the prophet Daniel to Duke John Frederick of Saxony]. *)

February or March 1530. To the Most Serene, Highborn Prince and Lord, Lord John Frederick, Duke of Saxony, Landgrave of Thuringia, and Margrave of Meissen, my gracious Lord,

2. preface [on the prophet Daniel, together with the interpretation of the eleventh and twelfth chapters].

In order that the simple, and those who neither know nor can read history, 4) may nevertheless hear this Book of St. Daniel to some extent, I want to provide with this preface a 4)

Interpretation of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of Daniel. *)

The twelfth chapter of Daniel, as all teachers unanimously interpret it, refers entirely under Antioch's name to the end of Christ and to this last time, when we live inside. There

[The twelfth chapter.]

Cap. 12, 1. At the same time the great prince Michael will arise, who stands for the children of your people. For there shall be such a time of trouble, as it hath not been since m

3. disputation on Dan. 4, 24. *)

Whether Daniel ascribes justification to works by saying, "Rid yourself of your sins by almsgiving. Translated from Latin.

E. D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the prophet Hosea.

copied from lectures by D. M. Luther.*) First redaction, according to the Zwickau manuscript.

The first chapter.

It is known that the Hebrews and the prophets have this habit of beginning their books with superscriptions. God always calls to repentance before His wrath comes, as can be seen i

The second chapter. *)

I understand it in such a way that the whole chapter is said to those who have obtained mercy, both Gentiles and Jews. I understand the outcast sister to be the unbelieving Jews, s

The third chapter.

We have heard the prophecy of Christ. Throughout the rest of the book, he speaks against the hypocrites of his time and against the wicked, except for the prophecy in the fourth ch

The fourth chapter.

In the same, the prophet begins to punish the public vices, the fruit of unbelief, after he has acted on faith. The prophet is sure to preach the word of the Lord 2c. - Instead of

The fifth chapter.

In the fifth chapter, he will deal with a special service. The prophet did not write this at once and at the same time, nor did he preach it in one and the same year. The Assyrian

The sixth chapter.

They will make up early, they will seek me early. "Early do" [in Hebrew] (manicabat), 2) is a unique (unica) expression. Not otherwise than in affliction will this people come to m

The seventh chapter.

"This is also a dark chapter." The opinion is briefly this: He seems to be dealing with the fact that, since he had punished until now and might have brought both the king and the

The eighth chapter.

Here again the Spirit admonishes the prophet to stop and continue because the people are in godlessness and all too much outward appearance of worship. In Isaiah [Cap. 58, 1.] this

The ninth chapter.

"But there we have another." The prophet still remains with the threat of future captivity, taking away all confidence from them. Notice the five kings, Sallum 1) 2c., who killed e

The tenth chapter.

The meaning is dark, not the words; "strange prophet!" He still seems to talk about the captivity 2c. Although there are people who seem to live differently, and pretend some repen

The eleventh chapter.

Instead of in mane or sicut mans,.it should rather read [in] aurora. This is the opinion of this chapter, that the idolatry of this people is an ingrained evil. They are called tra

The twelfth chapter.

Here is a new sermon: 1) Hosea prophesied not only in one year. Here he challenges Ephraim to zeal by comparing it to the tribe of Judah 2c. "Fie, be ashamed of yourselves! Look at

The thirteenth chapter.

Again, a new sermon begins. These sermons have been preached in different years and lines, as if he wanted to say: "But a new pebble 2) is coming. All their worship is punished by

The fourteenth chapter.

This is the valet, he decides. It would be best to put everything in the indicative [not the conjunctive as in the Vulgate]. Amaricat Deum, that is, disobey their GOd. "It shall be

2. notes about the prophet Hosea. *)

Newly translated from the Latin.

The first chapter.

According to the Hebrew way, the prophet begins the book with a superscription in order to indicate through it what, as we see, happens with all words of God. For where wrath remai

The second chapter.

If this whole chapter is not taken as being said by the prophet to the apostles that they should proclaim the mercy of God to the Jews as well as to the Gentiles, then I do not see

The third chapter.

It is a question of which captivity the prophet is talking about here. Some have understood it of the Babylonian captivity, others of the Roman. If I might venture, I would maintai

The fourth chapter.

In this chapter the prophet begins to punish the great vices, namely the fruits of unbelief, at the same time also unbelief itself. The one who preaches must be sure that he speaks

The fifth chapter.

The prophet did not write this prophecy at one time, nor did he preach it in one year, but as he was moved by the spirit, so he prophesied. It seems that Isaiah lived at the same t

The sixth chapter.

This is the transition to the kingdom of Christ, because these words ["They will have to seek me early"], 2) which are so glorious and magnificent, could not be understood of any o

The seventh chapter.

In this chapter, the prophet seems to rebuke the false prophets who draw the people, who had already been converted to God by Hosea, back to idols, who persuade the princes and the

The eighth chapter.

Again, the Spirit admonishes the prophet to stop, not to cease calling the people back, lest they seek outside help. "Only rebuke confidently," for they need great rebuke. Stop wit

The ninth chapter.

The prophet stays with the threat of future captivity and takes away the trust and help on which they rely. He goes against their security, in which they vainly believe that there

The tenth chapter.

This chapter seems to be preached at the time of Hosea, the last king, who recognized the error, but in the meantime increased the sacrifices. Therefore, the prophet insists on the

The eleventh chapter.

He tells them that idolatry is an ingrained evil, and (as the prophet Isaiah [Cap. 48, 8.] 1) says: "From the womb you are called a transgressor." "Sin has accustomed them from the

The twelfth chapter.

The twelfth chapter begins with the words: 1) "In Ephraim is everywhere" 2c., because here a new sermon begins, then also because the same is continuous thereafter, and such a one

The thirteenth chapter.

Again, a new sermon begins because the prophet sees new sacrifices, new services, as if he wanted to say: The people have not had enough of the fact that they have sinned up to now

3. interpretation of the prophet Hosea,

recited by D. Martin Luther in public lectures and later overlooked by himself; compiled by Veit Dietrich. *) Published 1545.

Preface on the Prophet Hosea.

From the reading of the prophets and the content of the sermons of Hosea. The knowledge of the prophets is very necessary in the church, because they faithfully inculcate the doctr

The first chapter.

He does not mention his name nor his fatherland. He only indicates the name of his father, who was perhaps also either a prophet or a teacher, because he has a name that comes from

The second chapter.

This piece connects the old translation with the previous one, but because the prophet here starts a new sermon about a new people and a new kingdom, therefore we want to start a n

The third chapter.

This chapter is explained by the interpreters in various ways, because some understand it of the whole people, as if it were a prophecy of the last times of this people, when the f

The fourth chapter.

At this point, the chapters are correctly differentiated, because the prophet begins a new sermon here, which is so suitable for our times that one could believe that he did not pr

The fifth chapter.

This chapter also contains the punishment of idolatry, and the threat of certain destruction is added. For God can suffer nothing less than the contempt of His word, which is a con

The sixth chapter.

Cap. 5, 15. Again I will go to my place until they recognize their guilt (donec abjiciant peccatum), and seek my face, if it is bad for them, they will have to seek me early (and s

The seventh chapter.

The following sermon is also a legal one. It contains a punishment of idolatry and threatens the sure sinners with punishment. There is no difficulty in the matter here, only the g

The eighth chapter.

This, too, is a legal sermon in which the prophet condemns both idolatry and reliance on human protection or alliances with the heathen, and threatens destruction. Therefore, as fa

The ninth chapter.

This is also a sermon of repentance, in which he condemns the idolatry of the kingdom of Israel and threatens desolation. Therefore, everything is clear. The sermons so often repea

The tenth chapter.

This is a common image among the prophets, that they compare the holy people to a vineyard, because of the holy and GOtte pleasing fruits, which follow the words of GOtte. But just

The eleventh chapter.

This is connected with the preceding, for it is a prophecy of the same content, only that the Lord here, as he has done several times above, mentions his benefits, which he has sho

The twelfth chapter.

This is a new sermon, but of quite the same content, for he condemns idolatry and threatens desolation. For just as a physician, as long as the disease lasts, does not give up cari

The thirteenth chapter.

When Ephraim returned terribly, he was exalted in Israel; then they sinned through Baal, and were slain for it. But now they make much more of their sins, and of their silver such

The fourteenth chapter.

Rightly we start here the last chapter, because the prophet wanted to summarize here the epitome of all his sermons. First of all, he threatens the kingdom of Israel with desolatio

The most distinguished doctrines and the main sayings in the sermons of the prophet Hosea.

We want to briefly summarize all the sermons of Hosea, so that if you cannot grasp the whole book, you may still remember what is the main point. Hosea is mainly concerned with thi

Martin Luther's addition to the passage of Hosea Cap. 13, 14: Death, I will be a poison to you 2c.

This passage [which in the Vulgate reads]: Ero mors tua, o mors, ero morsus tuus, inferne [Death, I will be your death, Hell, I will be your bitefs, the apostle Paul reads 1 Cor. 1

F. D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the prophet Joel.

according to the Altenburg manuscript.*) Held in July; finished August 9, 1524. Printed in Dietrich's first edition in 1536; after the Altenburg manuscript in 1884. Newly translate

The first chapter.

The sermon contained in this chapter was not only preached in one place, but often in many places, for he addresses all the inhabitants of the land. Super hoc [of this) is a freque

The second chapter.

In the first chapter, the prophet dealt with 1) the small plague of locusts and beetles in order to draw a conclusion from it about the real and complete destruction that threatene

The third chapter.

I am uncertain 2) where this chapter is to be drawn, whether to what follows or to what precedes. I, in my opinion, relate it to the kingdom of Christ, and think that it is an inte

2. D. Martin Luther's Interpretation of the Prophet Joel

in Veit Dietrich's second adaptation.*) Outgoing 1547.

Preface to the Prophet Joel, by Nicolaus von Amsdorf.*)

In these last days it is very useful and good, indeed highly necessary, that we diligently read, preach and practice the dear prophets. For since the same two ordinary regiments, s

Interpretation about Joel.

At what time the prophet Joel preached is therefore uncertain, because he does not remember in the title of the kings at whose time he lived. But if the content of his prophecy is

The first chapter.

This is a common entrance among the prophets, but much more sublime than it appears at first sight, namely, that they bring not their thoughts, not their counsels, but the word of

The second chapter.

V. 1-11: Blow with the trumpet in Zion, shout on my holy mountain; tremble, all the inhabitants of the land, for the day of the Lord is coming and is near. A dark day, a gloomy day

The wide part of the sermons of Joel.

Here we will properly begin the third chapter. For the prophet now passes from the people of his time to the joyful day and kingdom of the Son of God in this world, which has been

The main lessons from Joel's sermons.

1. of repentance, Joel 2:12 ff. "Thus says the LORD: Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, with lamentation. Rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn

3. lectures on the prophet Joel, according to the Zwickau manuscript. *) Delivered in 1524; printed in 1884.

Translated from the Latin.

D. Martin Luther on Joel.

1 ) All the prophets have the same opinion, that they aim at the future Christ. They use everything else so that we should draw everything to the future judgment: if a pestilence c

[The first chapter.]

He does not seem to have prophesied this in one place, but in many, as a prophet must do. Instead of super hoc it should rather be "of it" (de eo), as if he wanted to say: Do not f

The second chapter.

The prophet has to do in the first chapter with the fact that he tells the simple, small plague of the animals 2c., from which he makes the conclusion later on the complete destruc

The third chapter.

We want to let this chapter "remain" with the kingdom of Christ. I consider it to be an explanation of the previous chapter. At the time of Joel the neighboring nations were eager

G. D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the prophet Amos.

according to the Altenburg manuscript.*) Held i" December 1524 and in January 1525. Printed in Dietrich's edition 1536, later Altenburg manuscript 1884.

[The first chapter.]

"The words of Amos" is spoken in the Hebrew manner; we must translate it in Latin thus: Haec sunt, quae vidit Amos ["This is what Amos saw"]. It is also said later [Cap. 7, 14] tha

The second chapter.

1) Here again there is nothing certain about history, which is mentioned in the beginning of this chapter. The Jewish fables do not please me, because they do not make us certain t

The third chapter.

The short epitome and the occasion for this chapter or the following sermon is this: 3) Many were annoyed by the previous sermon of the prophet, and accused the prophet of foolishn

The fourth chapter.

2) He addresses the ungodly wives of the wicked and calls them "fat cows". For this generation is far too weak to have any use for prosperity, since they are wont to afflict the he

The fifth chapter.

4) As I said above at the beginning of the third chapter, the prophets did not finish these books, which contain prophecies or sermons, in one year, just as they did not immediatel

The sixth chapter.

The prophet persists in proclaiming the future captivity which he has always threatened above. And he begins here again another sermon, in which he comprehends at the same time the

The seventh chapter.

What he has prophesied and threatened with clear words so far, he prophesies here with dark words and visions. The mercy and long-suffering of God is praised to us, who does not wa

The eighth chapter.

The last two chapters of this prophet are the last two sermons in which he, tired of preaching, predicts that the whole nation will be completely destroyed, both as far as the king

The ninth chapter.

The last two chapters, as I have said, deal with the final destruction of the entire kingdom and the priesthood. 2) The previous chapter actually contains the destruction of the ki

2. Luther's lectures on the prophet Amos,

according to the Zwickau manuscript.*)

Held in December 1524 and January 1525, printed in 1884.

Translated from Latin.

The Prophet Amos.

I go to this lecture for no other reason than that the Word may dwell abundantly among us and that God may be praised with hymns and psalms. I want to help as much as I can so that

[The first chapter.]

Verba, [the word that means: this is what he saw 1) 2c. Below [Cap. 7, 14.] he says to Amaziah: "I am not a prophet", that is, he was not of the lineage and status of the prophets.

The second chapter.

[Instead of] incendere [it should be comburere, for in Hebrew] the verbum "means" "to burn altogether." Carioth, better: cities, appellative. I do not like here the fables of the J

The third chapter.

This is another sermon. Hardly once in a year have the previous sermons been collected like this. The summa is this: Annoyed by the previous sermon, they accuse the prophet of nons

The fourth chapter.

Confringitis, you crush. Instead of in sancto it should read per sanctum suum ["by his sanctuary"), aperturas, "gaps". XXXXXX [, "gen Harmon"). 1) He seems to me to punish the wome

The fifth chapter.

There follows another sermon, preached in a different year, but containing almost the same thing as the previous sermons. The sermons are given and collected at different times. So

The sixth chapter.

The prophet remains to announce the captivity. He starts something new all. In the following sermon he summarizes at the same time the two tribes Judah and Benjamin with the ten tr

The seventh chapter.

This chapter is light. What he has threatened with clear words until now, he now does with dark speeches and visions. All this happens because God is long-suffering and waits for r

The eighth chapter.

The following sermons are the last prophesies, in which he declares that they shall be disturbed, both concerning the kingdom and the priesthood, and indicates that he is as it wer

The ninth chapter.

These last two chapters deal with the final destruction of the kingdom and the priesthood of this time. "Strike", smash, smash all who find at the top and at the bottom, the first