To See and Not Perceive: Isaiah 6:9–10 in Early Jewish and Christian Interpretation
Overview
In his famous vision of the enthroned and exalted Lord, Isaiah is told to harden the hearts of his people, “lest they repent” (Isaiah 6:9–10). According to Mark's Gospel, which cites this text, Jesus speaks in parables for the same reason. Interpreters of all generations have, not unnaturally, found the text difficult and disturbing. This study is concerned with the fascinating variety of early Jewish and Christian interpretations and modifications that have attempted to cope with the difficulty. At different stages in Judaism and Christianity the Isaianic vision of God is more clearly perceived than at other times. Isaiah 6:9–10 is itself indeed shocking and disturbing, but this is not inappropriate in the context of the prophetic message.
Key Features
- Examines the composition, meaning, and interpretive challenges in Isaiah
- Discusses questions of authorship, historicity, and canonicity
- All Scripture references linked to the Hebrew texts and English Bible translations in your library
Product Details
- Title: To See and Not Perceive: Isaiah 6.9–10 in Early Jewish and Christian Interpretation
- Author: Craig A. Evans
- Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
- Publication Date: 2009
- Pages: 261
About Craig A. Evans
Craig A. Evans is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Top Highlights
“It is concluded therefore that Isaiah’s vision was not a vision for the purpose of his call into the prophetic vocation, but was a vision and commission of judgment. Isaiah has witnessed the heavenly council convened for purposes of decreeing a final judgment upon Jerusalem. It is is this sense, then, that Isaiah’s ‘call’ in ch. 6 should be understood. His call was a commission to deliver the message of impending judgment. This judgment began with the very message itself, for the message was to act as a catalyst in promoting obduracy, and so guarantee the certainty of judgment.” (Page 24)
“The expression, ‘this people’ (in contrast to ‘my people’, cf. Isa. 40:1) connotes a sense of contempt” (Page 18)
“The present study is a study in comparative midrash.” (Page 15)
“G. Vermes has put it, ‘to fuse Scripture with life’” (Page 14)
“I am interested in the text of Isa. 6:9–10 because in a certain sense it epitomizes the struggle to monotheize, that is, to explain all of existence in terms of God and his sovereign will. I believe that Isa. 6:9–10 is perhaps one of the most important prophetic witnesses to the monotheistic hermeneutic, the hermeneutic that lies at the very heart of the canon.” (Page 16)
- Title: To See and Not Perceive: Isaiah 6.9–10 in Early Jewish and Christian Interpretation
- Author: Craig A. Evans
- Series: Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series
- Volume: 64
- Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
- Print Publication Date: 1989
- Logos Release Date: 2011
- Era: era:Contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Isaiah 6:9-10 › Criticism, interpretation, etc
- ISBNs: 9781850751724, 1850751722
- Resource ID: LLS:TOSEENOTPERC
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T21:02:32Z
Craig A. Evans earned his PhD in biblical studies at Claremont Graduate University and received his decretum habilitationis from Budapest. He is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament; Acadia Divinity College Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada; John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins (Houston Theological Seminary); a New Testament scholar; and a prolific author and popular teacher/speaker.
Evans is well-known for his work on the Gospels, the Historical Jesus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the archaeology of the New Testament. His passion for archaeology has him frequently participating in Middle East digs and leading Holy Land tours. He has regularly appeared in television and radio interviews, such as the History Channel, BBC, and Dateline NBC, served as a consultant on the National Geographic Society's Gospel of Judas project and for The Bible television miniseries, and is featured in documentaries like Fragments of Truth and the Archaeology and Jesus series.
He's written hundreds of articles and reviews and published more than 70 books, including Jesus and His Contemporaries, Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies, Mark in the Word Biblical Commentary, Fabricating Jesus: How Modern Scholars Distort the Gospels, God Speaks, and Jesus and the Remains of His Days: Studies in Jesus and Archaeology. He coauthored Jesus, the Final Days with N. T. Wright.
