Digital Logos Edition
The first of John N. Oswalt’s two-part study of the book of Isaiah for the NICOT series, this commentary on chapters 1–39 combines theological acumen, literary sensitivity, philological expertise, and historical knowledge to present a faithful and accurate reading of one of the Old Testament’s most important books.
In the introduction to this work, Oswalt considers Isaiah’s background, unity of composition, date and authorship, canonicity, Hebrew text, theology, and problems of interpretation, and he offers a select bibliography for further research. Oswalt also provides substantial discussions of several issues crucial to the book of Isaiah. He notes, for example, that scholars often divide Isaiah into three divisions, with chapters 1–39 addressing Isaiah’s contemporaries in the eighth century BC, chapters 40–55 presupposing the exile of the sixth century, and chapters 56–66 presupposing the eventual return from exile. While taking this scholarship into account Oswalt defends the unity of the prophetic book and argues convincingly that the whole book can be attributed to the Isaiah of the eighth century.
The commentary proper, based on Oswalt’s own translation of the Hebrew text, provides pastors, scholars, and students with a lucid interpretation of the book of Isaiah in its ancient context as well as an exposition of its message for today.
With Logos, the NICOT will integrate into the Passage Guide. Whenever you enter your passage and click go, results from the NICOT will appear on the text you’re studying. This gives you instant access to exactly what you’re looking for—in far less time than it would take you to walk over to the bookshelf and begin flipping through a print volume, let alone find the information you need.
“It is my conviction that the overarching theme of the book of Isaiah is servanthood.” (Page 54)
“The thought of Isaiah can be organized under four heads: God, Humanity and the World, Sin, Redemption.” (Page 32)
“So for Isaiah the announcement of God’s holiness meant that he was in the presence of One distinct from—other than—himself. But for Isaiah as a Hebrew, it also meant that the terrifying otherness was not merely in essence but in character. Here was One ethically pure, absolutely upright, utterly true.” (Page 181)
“One of the unique features of Isaiah’s book, and one which has led to the theory of multiple authorship that will be discussed below, is its address to three different historical settings. The first of these is during Isaiah’s lifetime, from 739 to 701 B.C. This time span is covered in chs. 1–39. The second and third periods are long after Isaiah’s death. They are the periods of exile (605–539 B.C.), chs. 40–55, and of the return (the total period is 539–400 B.C., but probably here restricted to 539–500 B.C.), chs. 56–66.” (Page 4)
“God has called all people, but particularly his own people, to lay down their self-exaltation and be dependent upon him, to become evidence of his character and deliverance in order that the whole world might know him as he is and thus be delivered from their own destruction.” (Page 54)
An excellent conservative commentary on the book of Isaiah. Oswalt’s work is a treasure. It provides solid help in understanding the text and message of this Old Testament book.
—Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
This book is a solid piece of scholarship and may be recommended to pastors and teachers alike as an exemplary piece of conservative research and exposition.
—Review & Expositor
This commentary will be one of the most widely used and appreciated [in the NICOT series], and perhaps even one of the flagship volumes.
—Southwestern Journal of Theology
11 ratings
Christian Beltran
7/21/2023
Nathan
11/26/2022
Matt Bedzyk
10/25/2019
Scott Sullivan
3/10/2018
Scott S. Scheurich
6/2/2017
Martijn
11/16/2016
DB
7/12/2016
Pastor Mark Stevenson
6/30/2016
Rob Bailey
6/25/2016
greypilgrim
6/23/2016