INTRODUCTION Throughout the series of six woes (Isaiah 28-33), Isaiah’s attention has been on the doom that is coming to Judah and Israel – the drunkards of Egypt, Ariel, the rebellious sons who seek help from Egypt. The last woe is is against the “destroyer” and . . . . Continue Reading »
Isaiah 31-32 constitute a single passage, a single “woe” pronounced against those in Judah who rely on Egypt for help. The passage is structured in a simple chiasm: A. Weak flesh of Egypt v. strength of Spirit, 31:1-3 B. Yahweh defends Zion and turns away Assyrians, 31:4-9 C. Yahweh . . . . Continue Reading »
Many commentators suggest that Paul borrows his notion of a Christological Rock that follows Israel through the wilderness from intertestamental commentary on the OT. That may be, but the notion of is already evident in the OT itself. Yahweh after all is the Rock of Israel, and both leads and . . . . Continue Reading »
Zion, like Eden, is a well-watered place: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God (Psalm 46:4). Yahweh Himself is teh river of delights that refreshes Jerusalem’s inhabitants and nourishes its life. In Isaiah 32:4, the prophet foresees a new Davidic king surrounded by princes . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION Isaiah pronounces a double woe against those in Judah who rely on Egypt (30:1; 31:1; cf. Isaiah 13:1-14:27). When Judah repents and casts away her idols (31:6-9), Yahweh will set up a just king (32:1) and pour out His Spirit to renew the land (32:15-20). THE TEXT “Woe to those . . . . Continue Reading »
In the midst of a swirling, fiery description of Yahweh’s appearance as a flame-snorting Warrior, Isaiah refers a few times to Israel’s liturgical institutions (30:27-33). While Yahweh’s Name is taking care of Israel’s enemies, Israel will be singing in their homes as they . . . . Continue Reading »
Isaiah 30:18 is arranged as a neat chiasm: A. Therefore waits Yahweh to be gracious B. and therefore He will be exalted with compassion B’. for a God of judgment is Yahweh A’. Blessed all who wait for Him. The repetition of “wait” ( chakah ) forms an obvious inclusio around . . . . Continue Reading »
Yahweh makes up an insulting nickname for Egypt, which the NASB translates as “Rahab who has been exterminated” (Isaiah 30:7). The Hebrew is rahab hem shavet , and each of the main terms of the phase is significant. Rahab means “fierce” but it is used mainly in contexts . . . . Continue Reading »
In a dense phrase, Isaiah captures the idolatry at the heart of Judah’s attempt at a political alliance with Egypt. He pronounces a woe against the rebellious sons who “make counsel but not of me” and who “pour a pouring but not My Spirit” (30:1). The last phrase is an . . . . Continue Reading »
The Hebrew word massa’ introduces a number of oracles in Isaiah’s prophecy (13:1; 14:28; 15:1; 17:1; 19:1; etc.). It is often translated “oracle,” but it comes from a root ( nasa’ ) that means “carry” or “bear,” and is thus sometimes rendered as . . . . Continue Reading »
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