The Anchor Yale Bible: Isaiah 56–66 (AYB)
Overview
The world’s leading authority on the prophet Isaiah brings his distinguished three-volume commentary on the book of Isaiah to a conclusion with this new translation and critical discussion of the final 11 chapters.
The concluding section of the book of Isaiah, sometimes referred to as Third or Trito Isaiah, had a profound impact on the Christian movement in its formative phase, including such central issues as the identity of the founder, the profile of the disciple, and the gentile mission. In this thorough and informative commentary, Joseph Blenkinsopp shows that while these chapters maintain continuity with Second Isaiah, they must be considered in the light of a new set of circumstances.
The texts present a community beset by severe problems, attempting to cope with disappointed expectations and trying to maintain its faith in the reality, power, and benevolence of the God of traditional religion. Blenkinsopp discusses in detail the issues that divide the community, from concerns about the efficacy of religious practices (prayer, fasting, Sabbath observance, and sacrifice) to questions about who may claim the name of Israelite and under what conditions, to what kind of relations should be maintained with outsiders. In examining each of these topics, Blenkinsopp shows that they provide evidence of an emerging Judaism seeking its own identity and self-definition and testify to the existence of a prophetic discipleship inspired by the person and teaching of the charismatic servant whose fate is described in the previous section of Isaiah.
Reflecting the same standard of excellence as Blenkinsopp’s first two volumes on Isaiah, this is an important contribution to the prestigious Anchor Yale Bible.
Logos Bible Software gives you the tools you need to use this volume effectively and efficiently. With your digital library, you can search for verses, find Scripture references and citations instantly, and perform word studies. Along with your English translations, all Scripture passages are linked to Greek and Hebrew texts. What’s more, hovering over a Scripture reference will instantly display your verse! The advanced tools in your digital library free you to dig deeper into one of the most important contributions to biblical scholarship in the past century!
- Offers original translations, including alternative translations, annotations, and variants
- Provides verse-by-verse commentary on the text
- Presents the reader with historical background, including analysis of authorship and dating
- Features an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary literature
Top Highlights
“Most scholars today would, nevertheless, agree that the bulk of 56–66 reflects the situation in the province of Judah (Yehud) during the first century of Persian rule, corresponding more or less to the reigns of Darius I (522–486), Xerxes I (486–465), and Artaxerxes I (465–424).” (Page 43)
“we pray, we fast, we sacrifice; why doesn’t it work?” (Page 176)
“In the case of the anonymous prophet of Isa 61:1, the routinization of prophetic charisma is connected with anointing. Anointing is a rite associated with priests (Exod 28:41; 29:7; 30:30 etc.) and kings (Judg 9:8, 15; 1 Sam 9:16; 2 Sam 2:4 etc.) but not with prophets. Here, therefore, the anointing is metaphorical, conveying the idea of full and permanent authorization to carry out the prophet’s God-given assignment.” (Pages 222–223)
“Sabbath observance and not circumcision is here the criterion of membership in the community” (Page 135)
“But according to what follows, these emissaries or missionaries are to make YHVH known among the nations, which requires that they are in some way adherents to the Jewish faith from the Gentile world, in other words, proselytes.” (Page 314)
- Title: Isaiah 56–66
- Author: Joseph Blenkinsopp
- Series: Anchor Yale Bible (AYB)
- Publisher: Yale University Press
- Publication Date: 2003
- Pages: 368