Continental Commentary Series: Isaiah 1–12 (CC)
Overview
With this first of three volumes of Wildberger’s commentary on Isaiah 1–39, English-speaking readers have access to the most exhaustive and, in many respects, the most helpful analysis of a major prophetic voice from eighth century Israel. The pattern of other Old Testament volumes in the Continental Commentaries Series is followed here also. Each successive unit of the text is treated under six headings:
- Text—a fresh translation and text-critical notes
- Form—literary form and metrical patterns
- Setting—date, place, sitz im leben, authenticity
- Commentary—verse-by-verse discussion of what the text meant to its original hearers and readers
- Purpose and Thrust—the theological intention of the text
Top Highlights
“The fact that the narrative is composed using a long-established form and employing specific concepts and motifs, particularly from the Jerusalem cult theology, should in no way be used in an attempt to deny that the report describes something which was actually experienced.” (Page 260)
“The prophet is not important because he is a religious personage within the parameters of his own particular existence, but rather because of his function as one who announces the details of the vision which has come to him. Providing information about the dates betrays, of course, an awareness that the understanding of a prophetic message cannot simply ignore details of the time and place in which this occurs. If the reader wants to press on to understand what is written, he or she would have to make an application which is specifically based on what happened ‘then and there.’ That is even more necessary in the case of Isaiah, since he, more than any other prophet, illuminated the history of his own people with his message.” (Page 7)
“Instead, these are a written record of actual experiences which still permit one to detect individual traits of the personality of the person involved and the uniqueness of each one’s historical experience.” (Page 277)
“It is most likely that חזון ישעיהו בן־אמוץ (the vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz) served as the superscription for the collection of materials found in chap. 1 and was then used in an expanded sense by a redactor, who used it as the title for the entire work.” (Page 6)
“Therefore, there remains only a third alternative, selected basically by many others already: The sign has an ambivalent character.” (Page 313)
This excellent commentary is certainly the most exhaustive of works available on the chapters with which it deals. I recommend it unreservedly to all serious students of the Old Testament.
—John Bright, author of A History of Israel
Wildberger’s commentary has turned out to be his Lebenswerk, and it is itself a noble tribute to a scholar who is theological sensitive, aware of differing opinions, and fair in dealing with them. It is the best existing commentary on the book of Isaiah.
—Roland E. Murphy, author of the Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 22: Proverbs
Wildberger’s commentary on Isaiah 1–12 is a work of such importance that it must be carefully studied by each serious student of Isaiah. It is a rich and significant contribution.
—Gerhard F. Hasel, author of Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate
- Title: Continental Commentary Series: Isaiah 1–12
- Author: Hans Wildberger
- Translator: Thomas H. Trapp
- Publisher: Fortress Press
- Publication Date: 1991
- Pages: 536
