Fredrik Hagglund ( Isaiah 53 in the Light of Homecoming After Exile (Forschungen Zum Alten Testament) ) argues against the common notion that Isaiah 53 is about the atoning suffering of Yahweh’s Servant. The Servant’s suffering is vicarious (i.e., he suffers for the sins of others) but . . . . Continue Reading »
Yahweh assures grieving Zion that she will see her children again (Isaiah 49:20-21). Dead children will reappear, and Zion will ask in astonishment, “Who has begotten these for me, since I have been bereaved of my children?” (v. 21). This is not merely a return from exile. It’s a . . . . Continue Reading »
The NASB translates Isaiah 53:11, in part, as “by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many.” Based on the discussion in Hagglund’s Isaiah 53 in the Light of Homecoming After Exile (Forschungen Zum Alten Testament) (73-77), I find this questionable on two . . . . Continue Reading »
Hagglund ( Isaiah 53 in the Light of Homecoming After Exile (Forschungen Zum Alten Testament) , 50-1) notes the parallels between the complaint Psalms and Isaiah 53: “The individual complaint psalms . . . begin with an invocation of YHWH. Then the complaint proper and a petition to YHWH often . . . . Continue Reading »
In his monograph on Isaiah 53 in the Light of Homecoming After Exile (Forschungen Zum Alten Testamentbears ) (46-49), Fredrik Hagglund offers a helpful outline of the chapter. The following scheme is a modification of his work: A. Exaltation of the Servant, 52:13-15 B. Question from Yahweh: Who has . . . . Continue Reading »
Isaiah 51:1-11 runs roughly through the creation week. The chapter begins with an exhortation to hear the word of Yahweh, the God who spoke the worlds into existence. He reminds Israel of their miraculous birth from the dead rocks, Abraham and Sarah (51:1-2). Evening and morning are the first day. . . . . Continue Reading »
Though the boundaries of the passage are disputed, many commentators see Isaiah 49-54 as a discrete unit of the prophecy. Chapter 49 starts off in a new voice - the first person of the Servant of Yahweh. Chapter 54 ends on a triumphant note, describing the construction of a new Zion and bringing to . . . . Continue Reading »
The always-innovative Michael Goulder wonders how and why redactors might have changed the text of Isaiah, as critics believe ( Isaiah As Liturgy , 1-2) : “Glosses in the margin may be believable for brief phrases like even the King of Assyria , but many of the supposed insertions are of a . . . . Continue Reading »
Jim Adams ( The Performative Nature and Functions of Isaiah 40-55 , 170) summarizes the theme of shame in Isaiah 40-55: “The verb occurs eleven times and primarily in the first section. In brief, those who will be shamed are Jacob-Israel’s opponents . . . , the worshipers and . . . . Continue Reading »
Yahweh’s Servant will be set up as a light to the nations to bring salvation to the ends of the earth (49:6). Sounds nice. What does it look like? The chiastically arranged verse 7 tells us: A. Yahweh, Redeemer of Israel, Holy One B. To the despised/abhorred One C. To Servant of rulers . . . . Continue Reading »
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