25 seq.).
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historical position it belongs to, and is thereby magnified to
colossal proportions. It may be said of this class of narratives
generally, that the prophets are brought too much into the foreground
in them, as if they had been even in their lifetime the principal
force of Israelite history, and as if the influence which moved
them had ruled and pervaded their age as well. That was not the case;
in the eyes of their contemporaries they were completely overshadowed
by the kings; only to later generations did they become the principal
personages. They were important ideally, and influenced the future
rather than the present; but this was not enough, a real tangible
importance is attributed to them. In the time of Ahab and Jehu the
Nebiim were a widespread body, and organised in orders of their own,
but were not highly respected; the average of them were miserable
fellows, who ate out of the king's hand and were treated with disdain
by members of the leading classes. Amos of Tekoa, who, it is true,
belonged to a younger generation, felt it an insult to be counted
one of them.
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