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21 December 2020 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Sonia Small
Prof Fanie Snyman, retired Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, is the first South African to publish a volume in the respected Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series, which deals with the Bible books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah.

Against the backdrop of the Faculty of Theology and Religion’s 40th anniversary, Prof Fanie Snyman, retired Dean and research associate, has recently published a commentary in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series based in Cambridge, England, on the prophetic books Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah of the Old Testament. What makes his book special is that Prof Snyman is the first and for the foreseeable future the only South African Old Testament scholar to be commissioned to publish in this distinguished commentary series. This commentary series is widely read and consulted in the English-speaking scholarly communities of Africa, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, the USA, and many European countries.

In a virtual ‘sit-down’ with Prof Fanie, he explained how a research volume of this type is usually compiled: It starts with a verse-by-verse analysis of the Bible books, looking at the literary aspects of how the passage was written as well as considering its historical, social, and cultural background. This is done to obtain a better overall understanding of the text. Secondly, a volume of commentary is not merely regurgitating knowledge that has already been generated. Prof Fanie says that “it must deliver new, fresh perspectives on the current state of research on these books. What can I contribute to the understanding of these writings?” To accomplish this, he had to pore over stacks of research on these prophetic works to be as current as possible with modern research.

First contributor from Africa

Dr David Firth, the series editor, says: “Over the nearly sixty-year history of the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, we have not previously had any contributors from Africa. That has now been put right with the release of Prof SD Snyman’s new volume on Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. Prof Snyman has brought together his expertise on the prophetic literature of the Old Testament and theological awareness to present a fresh work on these often-neglected books. Through his careful attention to how these books functioned in their ancient setting and mastery of the secondary literature, he is also able to point to the enduring importance of each of these books for contemporary readers. As such, he has admirably fulfilled the brief for the series and produced a volume that will serve a new generation who come to these books.”

Prof Fanie affirms that the burning issues raised in each of these books regarding situations in ancient Israel often mimic comparable issues in our modern society. For example, he underscores how Nahum brings the misuse of political power to the fore, a current and topical point of contention. Prof Snyman says: “My aim was to create a vertical theological perspective of that historical situation against the backdrop of contemporary issues. I believe that these texts have a relevance for us and upon us today.”

Other international works

This book is the third one published internationally by Prof Snyman. In 2012, he published a book on the prophetic literature of the Old Testament together with a Dutch colleague in the USA. In 2015, he published a commentary on the book of Malachi in Europe. This book was awarded the UFS Book Prize for Distinguished Scholarship in 2017. 

News Archive

Kovsie Open Day on 9 May 2015
2015-05-04

The UFS will once again be a hive of excitement and activity with the annual Kovsie Open Day presented on Saturday 9 May 2015 on the Bloemfontein Campus.

The Kovsie Open Day, with all its fun and laughter, always reflects to all its visitors the truth of the UFS as an academic institution that inspires excellence and transforms lives.

Don’t miss anything at the Kovsie Open Day! Here is the programme…

09:00 – 10:30:  Welcoming by the Vice-Chancellor and Rector, prof Jonathan Jansen
(Callie Human Centre, Marked 19 on the map)

10:30 – 15:00:  Visits to the faculties.
First presentation at 11:00
Second presentation at 13:00

10:30 – 15:00:  Visit the residence stands and be part of the student festivities in front of the Main Building.
(Marked “K” on the map)

12:00 – 14:00:  Meet the Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen, in front of the Main Building (Marked “K” on the map)

11:00 – 15:00:  UFS Marketing, Accommodation and Administration in H vd Merwe Scholtz Hall
(Marked 18 on the map)
- Please visit us for general university enquiries.
- Submit your application forms here.

11:00 – 15:00:  Parents and teachers are invited to enjoy refreshments in H vd Merwe Scholtz Hall
(Marked 18 on the map)

11:00 – 15:00:  KovsieGear: Branded Kovsie goodies H vd Merwe Scholtz Hall

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