Exegesis of Isaiah 7:14-16
History of the Old Testament
Exegesis of Isaiah 7:14-16
Historical Context of Isaiah 7:14-16
The book of Isaiah is a vast collection of many works by both Isaiah and other anonymous writers. Although the entire book is dated from the post-exilic period, different sections of the book were written at various times. In fact, the organization of the book isn’t ordered chronologically, but rather by combining separate literary works and booklets (Hastings 424). According to Robert Alter and Frank Kemode of Harvard University Press, the book of Isaiah is broken down into three general sections: Isaiah (or Proto-Isaiah), Deutero-Isaiah and Trito-Isaiah. (Alter 165). Editor and biblical scholar James Hastings noted, “the book of Isaiah is the result of a long and complex literary history” (425). Since the book was not all written at the same time or by a single author, each sentence seems to come with it’s own fascinating history, with varying contexts lying between each line. Beginning with Proto-Isaiah, chapters 1-39 are thought to have been greatly written by Isaiah, while consisting of “oracles and eschatology” (Alter 165). Beginning the early period of Isaiah’s ministry at 3:1-15, Isaiah describes the “social integration of Jerusalem” (Hastings 426). Without divulging too greatly into the historical context of chapter 7 quite yet, Proto-Isaiah addresses the period of the collapse of the northern kingdom before the Assyrians. It reveals Yahweh’s coming judgment towards Assyria for its “pride and refusal to recognize that it is the instrument of Yahweh’s purpose,” while predicting the “overthrow of the Assyrian invader” (Hastings 426). Moving on to Deutero-Isaiah, the prophecies in chapters 40-55 are thought to have been composed by an anonymous prophet who lived among the Judean exiles during the time of Babylonian captivity (Alter 174). This prophet responds to the major events that had previously taken place. Having over exerted their power
Exegesis of Isaiah 7:14-16
Historical Context of Isaiah 7:14-16
The book of Isaiah is a vast collection of many works by both Isaiah and other anonymous writers. Although the entire book is dated from the post-exilic period, different sections of the book were written at various times. In fact, the organization of the book isn’t ordered chronologically, but rather by combining separate literary works and booklets (Hastings 424). According to Robert Alter and Frank Kemode of Harvard University Press, the book of Isaiah is broken down into three general sections: Isaiah (or Proto-Isaiah), Deutero-Isaiah and Trito-Isaiah. (Alter 165). Editor and biblical scholar James Hastings noted, “the book of Isaiah is the result of a long and complex literary history” (425). Since the book was not all written at the same time or by a single author, each sentence seems to come with it’s own fascinating history, with varying contexts lying between each line. Beginning with Proto-Isaiah, chapters 1-39 are thought to have been greatly written by Isaiah, while consisting of “oracles and eschatology” (Alter 165). Beginning the early period of Isaiah’s ministry at 3:1-15, Isaiah describes the “social integration of Jerusalem” (Hastings 426). Without divulging too greatly into the historical context of chapter 7 quite yet, Proto-Isaiah addresses the period of the collapse of the northern kingdom before the Assyrians. It reveals Yahweh’s coming judgment towards Assyria for its “pride and refusal to recognize that it is the instrument of Yahweh’s purpose,” while predicting the “overthrow of the Assyrian invader” (Hastings 426). Moving on to Deutero-Isaiah, the prophecies in chapters 40-55 are thought to have been composed by an anonymous prophet who lived among the Judean exiles during the time of Babylonian captivity (Alter 174). This prophet responds to the major events that had previously taken place. Having over exerted their power
Bibliography: Alexander, Neil M. “Isaiah 7:1-25.” The Sign of Immanuel. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001. 110-113. Print. Vol. 6 of The New Interpreter’s Bible, Ed. Clifford E. Baldridge. 12. 1994-2001. Buttrick, George Arthur. “Isaiah.” Isaiah. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1956. 215-223. Print. Vol. 5 of The Interpreter’s Bible. Ed. Nolan B Harmon. 12 vols. 1952-1957. Hastings, James. “Isaiah.” Dictionary of the Bible. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1963. “Isaiah.” The Literary Guide to the Bible. Ed. Robert Alter and Frank Kermode. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1987 May and Bruce M. Metzger. New York: Oxford University Press, 1965. Print. Rice, Gene. "The Interpretation Of Isaiah 7:15-17." Journal Of Biblical Literature 96.3 (1977): 363 Strong, James. “Ahaz.” The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1988