It is infinitely better to commence a study of the prophets with what they themselves have written rather than with the meagre narratives and scattered legends of their deeds and words. In their own writings they have most distinctly and trustworthily laid bare their spirit. Whoever desires to know in their inmost hearts these heroes of divine truth and to admire their genuine greatness, should learn first to understand their words and actions as they themselves have recorded them. It is here that they approach us most closely and confidingly, inviting us most irresistibly to make ourselves acquainted with them. --from the Introduction One of the greatest biblical scholars of the nineteenth century, Ewald was a man of amazing learning and deeply held religious and political beliefs, and a formidable opponent of all who disagreed with him. --John W. Rogerson Georg Heinrich von Ewald (1803-1875) was Professor of Old Testament and then Oriental languages at the University of Gottingen. After protesting the repeal of the constitution by King Ernst August, Ewald was dismissed. After visiting England, he was appointed Professor of Philosophy and then Theology at the University of Tubingen before being invited back to Gottingen. He was subsequently removed from his position again when he refused to sign an oath of allegiance to the Prussian king. He published grammatical works on Hebrew, Arabic, and Sanskrit, as well as commentaries and exegetical studies on both Old and New Testament books and biblical theology.