Isaiah
The internet is becoming an increasingly useful resource for students, especially if you cannot gain easy access to a library. I’ve listed below a number of links which will be useful to the study of Isaiah. It’s not exhaustive, and it’s only as good as the free resources on the web.
Introductions
Yale University have put a number of their courses online, and are there is some very useful things to be found. There are two lectures which might be of particular interest both by Professor Christine Hayes which are available by means of transcripts, audio and video:
The BBC’s ‘In Our Time’ programme has a couple of episodes which provide some context with regards to the Babylonians:
The following articles might prove useful too.
- William J. Dumbrell, “The Purpose of the Book of Isaiah,” Tyndale Bulletin 36 (1985): 111-128.
- Robin Routledge, “Is There A Narrative Substructure Undertying the Book of Isaiah?” Tyndale Bulletin 55.2 (2004): 183-204.
- Paul E. Copeland, “A Guide to the Study of the Prophets,” Themelios 10.1 (September 1984): 4-9.?
Dead Sea Scrolls
One of the great gems dug up amongst the Dead Sea Scrolls was the Great Isaiah Scroll. It dates to about 100 BC and is the only complete scroll to have been recovered from Qumran. It is 7.34 metres long.
You can view the scroll here, but be aware it’ll take a while to load over broadband. Take some time to look at the rest of the site too. As well as the excellent Shrine of the Book, there is a good section on the Second temple.
Prophecy in Judaism
The Martyrdom of Isaiah is an intertestamental work which is Pseudepigraphal (i.e. written under Isaiah’s name). It is worth reading to get a feel for the ways in which what are now considered canonical texts were used and reused within Judaism. There is an introductory page at the Wesley Center for Applied Theology, as well as an old translation here.
Listed below are some relevant journal articles which are freely viewable online.
- R.P. Gordon, “Where Have All the Prophets Gone? The ‘Disappearing’ Israelite Prophet Against the Background of Ancient Near Eastern Prophecy,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 5 (1995): 67-86.
- Douglas Stuart, “Old Testament Prophets’ Self-Understanding of Their Prophecy,” Themelios 6.1 (1980): 9-14.
The Interpretation of Isaiah
“The medieval theory of levels of meaning in the biblical text, with all its undoubted defects, flourished because it is true, while the modern theory of a single meaning, with all its demonstrable virtues is false. Until the historical-critical method becomes critical of its own theoretical foundations and develops a hermeneutical theory adequate to the nature of the text which it is interpreting, it will remain restricted-as it deserves to be-to the guild and the academy, where the question of truth can endlessly be deferred. “
It is most commonly thought that the medieval method of exegesis was one which was hopelessly re-interpretive. Now, the story goes, we know better and can get back to the one true meaning of the text. This article makes a refreshing argument to the contrary. Take a look at The Superiority of Pre-Critical Exegesis from Theology Today
Steve Moyise has written a helpful chapter which surveys some of the approaches taken by those investigating the use of the Old Testament in the New: ‘Intertextuality and the Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament’
See also
- J. Alec Motyer, “Context and content in the Interpretation of Isaiah 7:14,” Tyndale Bulletin 21 (1970): 118-125.
Themes in First Isaiah
- Craig A. Evans, “Isa 6:9-13 in the context of Isaiah’s theology,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 29.2 (June 1986): 139-146.
- John W. Olley, “‘Trust in the Lord’: Hezekiah, Kings and Isaiah,” Tyndale Bulletin 50.1 (1999): 59-77.
- Geoffrey D. Robinson, “The Motif of Deafness and Blindess in Isaiah 6:9-10: A Contextual, Literary, and Theological Analysis,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 8 (1998): 167-186.
- Robin L. Routledge, “The Siege and Deliverance of the City of David in Isaiah 29:1-8,” Tyndale Bulletin 43.1 (1992): 181-190.
Themes in Deutero-Isaiah
- Terry W. Eddinger, “An Analysis of Isaiah 40:1-11 (17),” Bulletin for Biblical Research 9 (1999): 119-135.
- John Goldingay, “What Happens to Ms Babylon in Isaiah 47, Why, and Who Says So,” Tyndale Bulletin 47.2 (1996): 215-243.
- Gordon D. Kirchhevel, “Who’s Who and What’s What in Isaiah 53,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 13.1 (2003): 127-131.
- Rikki E. Watts, “Consolation or Confrontation: Isaiah 40-55 and the Delay of the New Exodus,” Tyndale Bulletin 41.1 (1990): 31-59.