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Literary structure (chiasmus, chiasm) of Books of Minor Prophets

Chiasmus and Concentric Structure of divided by 5


5-1

1 The family of Hosea (Ho1:1-Ho2:3)
  2 Betrayal of Israel (Ho2:4-15)
    3 Salvation of Israel (Ho2:16-25)
      4 Further assurance of God's redeeming love (Ho3:1-5)
        5 The idolatry of Israel (Ho4:1-Ho5:7)
          6 Sin and punishment of war (Ho5:8-Ho6:11)
            7 Futile reliance on the nations (Ho7:1-12)
              8 Israel's apostasy (Ho7:13-Ho8:14)
                9 Sin at Baal-peor and Gilgal (Ho9:1-17)
                  10 Israel's sin and captivity (Ho10:1-15)
                    11 God's compassion despite Israel's ingratitude (Ho11:1-11)
                  12 The history of rebellion (Ho12:1-14_Ho14:1)
                13 Assurance of forgiveness (Ho14:2-10)
              14 Lamentation over the ruin of the country (Jl1:1-12)
            15 The day of the LORD is coming (Jl1:13-Jl2:14)
          16 God's response and promise (Jl2:15-27)
        17 God's spirit poured out (Jl3:1-5)
      18 Vengeance of the LORD (Jl4:1-8)
    19 Judgment in the valley of Jehoshaphat (Jl4:9-17)
  20 The glorious future of Judah (Jl4:18-21)
21 Judgment on nations (Am1:1-Am2:5)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 The family of Hosea (Ho1:1-Ho2:3)
1:6 I no longer feel pity for the house of Israel: rather, I abhor them utterly.(1:6)
Not forgiving21 Judgment on nations (Am1:1-Am2:5)
1:3 I will not revoke my word (1:3)
2 Betrayal of Israel (Ho2:4-15)
2:5 I will make her like the desert, reduce her to an arid land (2:5)
Making it a desert20 The glorious future of Judah (Jl4:18-21)
4:19 Egypt shall be a waste, and Edom a desert waste, Because of violence done to the people of Judah, because they shed innocent blood in their land. (4:19)
3 Salvation of Israel (Ho2:16-25)
2:25 I will say to Lo-ammi, "You are my people," and he shall say, "My God!"(2:25)
My God19 Judgment in the valley of Jehoshaphat (Jl4:9-17)
4:17 Then shall you know that I, the LORD, am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain (4:17)
4 Further assurance of God's redeeming love (Ho3:1-5)
3:2 So I bought her for fifteen pieces of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley.(3:2)
Slave trade18 Vengeance of the LORD (Jl4:1-8)
4:3 Over my people they have cast lots; they gave a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for the wine they drank. (4:3)
5 The idolatry of Israel (Ho4:1-Ho5:7)
4:12 For the spirit of harlotry has led them astray (4:12)
Spirits17 God's spirit poured out (Jl3:1-5)
3:1 Then afterward I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind (3:1)
6 Sin and punishment of war (Ho5:8-Ho6:11)
5:15 I will go back to my place until they pay for their guilt and seek my presence.(5:15)
Seeking the LORD16 God's response and promise (Jl2:15-27)
2:17 Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"(2:17)
7 Futile reliance on the nations (Ho7:1-12)
7:10 they do not return to the LORD, their God (7:10)
Returning to the LORD15 The day of the LORD is coming (Jl1:13-Jl2:14)
2:12 return to me with your whole heart (2:12)
8 Israel's apostasy (Ho7:13-Ho8:14)
8:8 Israel is swallowed up; he is now among the nations a thing of no value. (8:8)
Famine14 Lamentation over the ruin of the country (Jl1:1-12)
1:4 What the cutter left, the locust swarm has eaten; What the locust swarm left, the grasshopper has eaten; And what the grasshopper left, the devourer has eaten.(1:4)
9 Sin at Baal-peor and Gilgal (Ho9:1-17)
9:3 Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and in Assyria they shall eat unclean food. (9:3)
Sins of Ephraim13 Assurance of forgiveness (Ho14:2-10)
14:9 Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? (14:9)
10 Israel's sin and captivity (Ho10:1-15)
10:9 Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel. (10:9)
The sins and punishment of Israel12 The history of rebellion (Ho12:1-14_Ho14:1)
13:9 Your destruction, O Israel! who is there to help you? (13:9)

5-2

21 Judgment on nations (Am1:1-Am2:5)
  22 Judgment on Israel (Am2:6-16)
    23 Sin of Israel (Am3:1-15)
      24 Unbelief of Israel (Am4:1-11)
        25 Seek the LORD (Am4:12-Am5:8)
          26 The day of judgment (Am5:9-17)
            27 Festival and justice (Am5:18-27)
              28 Judgment on arrogant people (Am6:1-14)
                29 The first, second and third vision (Am7:1-9)
                  30 Amaziah complains to the king (Am7:10-17)
                    31 The fourth vision (Am8:1-14)
                  32 The God of whole world (Am9:1-10)
                33 The restoration of David's kingdom (Am9:11-15)
              34 Book of Obadiah (Ob1:1-21)
            35 Jonah tries to run away from God (Jon1:1-3)
          36 Jonah's disaster (Jon1:4-16)
        37 A psalm of thanksgiving (Jon2:1-11)
      38 Conversion of Nineveh (Jon3:1-10)
    39 Jonah is reproved (Jon4:1-11)
  40 Judgment pronounced against Samaria (Mi1:1-7)
41 The doom of the cities of Judah (Mi1:8-16)
Former halfRelationLatter half
21 Judgment on nations (Am1:1-Am2:5)
2:5 I will send fire upon Judah, to devour the castles of Jerusalem. (2:5)
Destruction of Judah41 The doom of the cities of Judah (Mi1:8-16)
1:9 There is no remedy for the blow she has been struck; rather, it has come even to Judah, It reaches to the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem. (1:9)
22 Judgment on Israel (Am2:6-16)
2:6 Thus says the LORD: For three crimes of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke my word (2:6)
Sins of Israel40 Judgment pronounced against Samaria (Mi1:1-7)
1:5 For the crime of Jacob all this comes to pass, and for the sins of the house of Israel. (1:5)
23 Sin of Israel (Am3:1-15)
3:7 Indeed, the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets. (3:7)
The role of prophets39 Jonah is reproved (Jon4:1-11)
4:1 But this was greatly displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry.(4:1)
24 Unbelief of Israel (Am4:1-11)
4:6 Yet you returned not to me (4:6)
Returning to the LORD38 Conversion of Nineveh (Jon3:1-10)
3:10 When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way (3:10)
25 Seek the LORD (Am4:12-Am5:8)
5:4 Seek me, that you may live, (5:4)
The LORD gives a life37 A psalm of thanksgiving (Jon2:1-11)
2:7 you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD, my God. (2:7)
26 The day of judgment (Am5:9-17)
5:8 He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn, and darkens day into night; Who summons the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the surface of the earth; (5:8)
Ruling the climates36 Jonah's disaster (Jon1:4-16)
1:4 The LORD, however, hurled a violent wind upon the sea, and in the furious tempest that arose the ship was on the point of breaking up. (1:4)
27 Festival and justice (Am5:18-27)
5:19 As if a man went to flee from a lion, and a bear should meet him (5:19)
Not being able to escape35 Jonah tries to run away from God (Jon1:1-3)
1:3 But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the LORD (1:3)
28 Judgment on arrogant people (Am6:1-14)
6:3 You would put off the evil day, yet you hasten the reign of violence! (6:3)
Injustice34 Book of Obadiah (Ob1:1-21)
1:10 Because of violence to your brother Jacob, disgrace shall cover you and you shall be destroyed forever.(1:10)
29 The first, second and third vision (Am7:1-9)
7:9 The high places of Isaac shall be laid waste, and the sanctuaries of Israel made desolate (7:9)
Ruin of Israel33 The restoration of David's kingdom (Am9:11-15)
9:14 I will bring about the restoration of my people Israel; they shall rebuild and inhabit their ruined cities (9:14)
30 Amaziah complains to the king (Am7:10-17)
7:17 your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword (7:17)
Killed by the sword32 The God of whole world (Am9:1-10)
9:1 Those who are left I will slay with the sword (9:1)

5-3

41 The doom of the cities of Judah (Mi1:8-16)
  42 Social evils denounced (Mi2:1-13)
    43 Wicked rulers and prophets (Mi3:1-12)
      44 Restoration promised after exile (Mi4:1-14)
        45 The ruler from Bethlehem (Mi5:1-8)
          46 The future role of the remnant (Mi5:9-14)
            47 God challenges Israel (Mi6:1-8)
              48 Cheating and violence to be punished (Mi6:9-16)
                49 The total corruption of the people (Mi7:1-8)
                  50 Penitence and trust in God (Mi7:9-13)
                    51 God's compassion and steadfast love (Mi7:14-20)
                  52 The consuming wrath of God (Na1:1-8)
                53 Evil plot (Na1:9-11)
              54 Breaking the yoke (Na1:12-14 )
            55 Good news for Judah (Na2:1-3)
          56 The destruction of the wicked city (Na2:4-11)
        57 Ruin imminent and inevitable (Na2:12-Na3:6)
      58 Judgment on Nineveh (Na3:7-19)
    59 The prophet's complaint (Hab1:1-2:6a)
  60 The woes of the wicked (Hab2:6b-20)
61 The prophet's prayer (Hab3:1-19)
Former halfRelationLatter half
41 The doom of the cities of Judah (Mi1:8-16)
see 1-1
see 1-161 The prophet's prayer (Hab3:1-19)
see 1-1
42 Social evils denounced (Mi2:1-13)
see 1-1
see 1-160 The woes of the wicked (Hab2:6b-20)
see 1-1
43 Wicked rulers and prophets (Mi3:1-12)
see 1-1
see 1-159 The prophet's complaint (Hab1:1-2:6a)
see 1-1
44 Restoration promised after exile (Mi4:1-14)
see 1-1
see 1-158 Judgment on Nineveh (Na3:7-19)
see 1-1
45 The ruler from Bethlehem (Mi5:1-8)
see 1-1
see 1-157 Ruin imminent and inevitable (Na2:12-Na3:6)
see 1-1
46 The future role of the remnant (Mi5:9-14)
see 1-1
see 1-156 The destruction of the wicked city (Na2:4-11)
see 1-1
47 God challenges Israel (Mi6:1-8)
see 1-1
see 1-155 Good news for Judah (Na2:1-3)
see 1-1
48 Cheating and violence to be punished (Mi6:9-16)
see 1-1
see 1-154 Breaking the yoke (Na1:12-14 )
see 1-1
49 The total corruption of the people (Mi7:1-8)
see 1-1
see 1-153 Evil plot (Na1:9-11)
see 1-1
50 Penitence and trust in God (Mi7:9-13)
see 1-1
see 1-152 The consuming wrath of God (Na1:1-8)
see 1-1

5-4

61 The prophet's prayer (Hab3:1-19)
  62 The coming judgment on Judah (Zp1:1-18)
    63 The great day of the LORD (Zp2:1-4)
      64 Judgment on Israel's enemies (Zp2:5-15)
        65 Punishment and conversion of the nations (Zp3:1-13)
          66 A song of joy (Zp3:14-20)
            67 The command to rebuild the temple (Hg1:1-11)
              68 Beginning of construction (Hg1:12-15)
                69 The future glory of the temple (Hg2:1-9)
                  70 A rebuke and a promise (Hg2:10-19)
                    71 God's promise to Zerubbabel (Hg2:20-23)
                  72 Israel urged to repent (Zc1:1-6)
                73 First vision (Zc1:7-17)
              74 Second vision and third vision (Zc2:1-6)
            75 An appeal to the exiles (Zc2:7-17)
          76 Fourth vision (Zc3:1-10)
        77 Fifth vision (Zc4:1-14)
      78 Sixth and seventh vision (Zc5:1-11)
    79 Eighth vision (Zc6:1-8)
  80 The coronation of the branch (Zc6:9-15)
81 Question of prophet (Zc7:1-7)
Former halfRelationLatter half
61 The prophet's prayer (Hab3:1-19)
3:17 For though the fig tree blossom not nor fruit be on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fail and the terraces produce no nourishment, Though the flocks disappear from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, (3:17)
Starvation81 Question of prophet (Zc7:1-7)
7:5 When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh month these seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? (7:5)
62 The coming judgment on Judah (Zp1:1-18)
1:3 I will overthrow the wicked (1:3)
Disobeying / obeying to the LORD80 The coronation of the branch (Zc6:9-15)
6:15 if you heed carefully the voice of the LORD your God (6:15)
63 The great day of the LORD (Zp2:1-4)
2:4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon shall be a waste, Ashdod they shall drive out at midday, and Ekron shall be uprooted.(2:4)
Destruction of the nations79 Eighth vision (Zc6:1-8)
6:7 As these strong horses emerged, eager to set about patrolling the earth, he said, "Go, patrol the earth!" Then, as they patrolled the earth, (6:7)
64 Judgment on Israel's enemies (Zp2:5-15)
2:11 The LORD shall inspire them with fear when he makes all the gods of earth to waste away (2:11)
Whole earth78 Sixth and seventh vision (Zc5:1-11)
5:3 This is the curse which is to go forth over the whole earth (5:3)
65 Punishment and conversion of the nations (Zp3:1-13)
3:9 they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord; (3:9)
Serving to the LORD77 Fifth vision (Zc4:1-14)
4:14 These are the two anointed who stand by the LORD of the whole earth (4:14)
66 A song of joy (Zp3:14-20)
3:15 he has turned away your enemies (3:15)
Repelling enemies76 Fourth vision (Zc3:1-10)
3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, while Satan stood at his right hand to accuse him. (3:1)
67 The command to rebuild the temple (Hg1:1-11)
1:8 Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house (1:8)
Rebuilding the temple75 An appeal to the exiles (Zc2:7-17)
2:16 The LORD will possess Judah as his portion of the holy land, and he will again choose Jerusalem. (2:16)
68 Beginning of construction (Hg1:12-15)
1:14 they came and set to work on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God (1:14)
Rebuilding the temple74 Second vision and third vision (Zc2:1-6)
2:6 "To measure Jerusalem," he answered (2:6)
69 The future glory of the temple (Hg2:1-9)
2:9 Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the LORD of hosts; And in this place I will give you peace (2:9)
Restoration of Jerusalem73 First vision (Zc1:7-17)
1:17 My cities shall again overflow with prosperity (1:17)
70 A rebuke and a promise (Hg2:10-19)
2:17 yet you did not return to me (2:17)
Returning to the LORD72 Israel urged to repent (Zc1:1-6)
1:3 Return to me, says the LORD of hosts (1:3)

5-5

81 Question of prophet (Zc7:1-7)
  82 Punishment for rejecting God's demands (Zc7:8-14)
    83 The promise about Zion (Zc8:1-8)
      84 The seed of peace (Zc8:9-13)
        85 Judgment for peace (Zc8:14-17)
          86 Joyful fasting (Zc8:18-23)
            87 Judgment on Israel's enemies (Zc9:1-8)
              88 The coming ruler of God's people (Zc9:9-Zc11:3)
                89 Two kinds of shepherds (Zc11:4-17)
                  90 Jerusalem's victory (Zc12:1-6)
                    91 Mourning for the pierced one (Zc12:7-14)
                  92 Idolatry cut off (Zc13:1-6)
                93 The shepherd struck, the flock scattered (Zc13:7-9)
              94 The day of the LORD is coming (Zc14:1-7)
            95 Fight in Jerusalem (Zc14:8-19)
          96 Final victory (Zc14:20-21)
        97 Corruption of the priesthood (Ml1:1-13)
      98 Exhortation to priests (Ml1:14-Ml2:9)
    99 Do not betray (Ml2:10-16)
  100 The coming messenger (Ml2:17-Ml3:15)
101 The day of the LORD (Ml3:16-24)
Former halfRelationLatter half
81 Question of prophet (Zc7:1-7)
7:7 Were not these the words which the LORD spoke through the former prophets (7:7)
Words of old prophets101 The day of the LORD (Ml3:16-24)
3:22 Remember the law of Moses my servant (3:22)
82 Punishment for rejecting God's demands (Zc7:8-14)
7:10 Do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the alien or the poor; do not plot evil against one another in your hearts. (7:10)
Protection for needy100 The coming messenger (Ml2:17-Ml3:15)
3:5 Against those who defraud widows and orphans; those who turn aside the stranger, and those who do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. (3:5)
83 The promise about Zion (Zc8:1-8)
8:8 They shall be my people, and I will be their God (8:8)
The people of the LORD99 Do not betray (Ml2:10-16)
2:10 Have we not all the one Father? Has not the one God created us? (2:10)
84 The seed of peace (Zc8:9-13)
8:13 Just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you that you may be a blessing (8:13)
Blessing and curse98 Exhortation to priests (Ml1:14-Ml2:9)
2:2 I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. (2:2)
85 Judgment for peace (Zc8:14-17)
8:14 when your fathers provoked me to wrath (8:14)
The wrath of the LORD97 Corruption of the priesthood (Ml1:1-13)
1:4 the people with whom the LORD is angry forever. (1:4)
86 Joyful fasting (Zc8:18-23)
8:22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem (8:22)
Coming to Jerusalem96 Final victory (Zc14:20-21)
14:21 all who come to sacrifice shall take them and cook in them (14:21)
87 Judgment on Israel's enemies (Zc9:1-8)
9:7 He also shall become a remnant for our God, and shall be like a family in Judah, and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites.(9:7)
Faith of the nations95 Fight in Jerusalem (Zc14:8-19)
14:9 The LORD shall become king over the whole earth. (14:9)
88 The coming ruler of God's people (Zc9:9-Zc11:3)
9:15 The LORD of hosts shall be a shield over them (9:15)
The LORD fights94 The day of the LORD is coming (Zc14:1-7)
14:3 Then the LORD shall go forth and fight against those nations, fighting as on a day of battle. (14:3)
89 Two kinds of shepherds (Zc11:4-17)
11:16 For I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will take no note of those that perish (11:16)
Shepherd93 The shepherd struck, the flock scattered (Zc13:7-9)
13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate (13:7)
90 Jerusalem's victory (Zc12:1-6)
12:5 The inhabitants of Jerusalem have their strength in the LORD of hosts, their God (12:5)
The inhabitants of Jerusalem92 Idolatry cut off (Zc13:1-6)
13:1 On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.(13:1)