Post on 15-Jan-2016
transcript
Isaiah
Dating and authorship
Isaiah• The “Fifth Evangelist”
Isaiah• The Fifth Evangelist• Most quoted OT book in the NT
(140+)
Isaiah• The Fifth Evangelist• Most quoted OT book in the NT
(140+)• Possibly the most beautiful poetry
in the OT.
Isaiah• The Fifth Evangelist• Most quoted OT book in the NT
(140+)• Possibly the most beautiful poetry
in the OT (in your instructor’s objective, unbiased, carefully-considered opinion).
Title and authorship
•1:1 – Uzziah to Hezekiah•Uzziah dies 739.•Hezekiah takes the throne in 716 and dies in 686.
•Sennacherib dies in 681 (37:38).
•Isaiah’s ministry may have lasted nearly 60 years.
Title and authorship
• Isaiah is named as author again in 2:1, 7:3, 13:1, 20:2, 37:2, 6, 21; 38:1, 4, 21: 39:3, 5, 8.
• Isaiah is not named in 40-66.
•No other author is named anywhere in the book or elsewhere.
Title and authorship
• Isaiah is named as author again in 2:1, 7:3, 13:1, 20:2, 37:2, 6, 21; 38:1, 4, 21: 39:3, 5, 8.
• Isaiah is not named in 40-66.•No other author is named
anywhere.•The NT: John 12:37-41
Background
1. During Isaiah’s own lifetime (739-701)
1. During Isaiah’s own lifetime (739-701)
2. 605-539 (Captivity in Babylon)
Background
Background
1. During Isaiah’s own lifetime (739-701)
2. 605-539 (Captivity in Babylon)
3. 539-400 (Return)
Background
Chapters 1-39: Isaiah’s own lifetime (739-701)
Chapters 40-55: Captivity in Babylon)
Chapters 56-66: the Return (539-400)
Background
1. During Isaiah’s own lifetime (739-701)
1. Policy shift from pro-Assyria (Ahaz) to anti-Assyria (Hezekiah)
Background
1. During Isaiah’s own lifetime (739-701)
1. Policy shift2. Destruction of the North
(722)
Background
1. During Isaiah’s own lifetime (739-701)
1. Policy shift2. Destruction of the North
(722)3. Sennacherib threatens
Jerusalem (701)
Background
1. During Isaiah’s own lifetime (739-701)
1. Policy shift2. Destruction of the North
(722)3. Sennacherib threatens
Jerusalem (701)4.Chapters 1-39.
Background
2. Captivity in Babylon (605-539)
Background
2. Captivity in Babylon (605-539)
1. Swift end to Assyria (609)
Background
2. Captivity in Babylon (605-539)
1. Swift end to Assyria (609)2. Destruction of Jerusalem
586
Background
2. Captivity in Babylon (605-539)
1. Swift end to Assyria (609)2. Destruction of Jerusalem
5863. Rise of Cyrus 550-539
Background
2. Captivity in Babylon (605-539)
1. Swift end to Assyria (609)2. Destruction of Jerusalem
5863. Rise of Cyrus 5394.Chapters 40-55
Background
3. Return (539-400)1. Under Jeshua and
Zerubbabel
Background
3. Return (539-400)1. Under Jeshua and
Zerubbabel2. Temple finished 516
Background
3. Return (539-400)1. Under Jeshua and
Zerubbabel2. Temple finished 5163. Under Ezra and Nehemiah
Background
3. Return (539-400)1. Under Jeshua and
Zerubbabel2. Temple finished 5163. Under Ezra and Nehemiah4. Strange mix of zeal with
complacency
Background
3. Return (539-400)1. Under Jeshua and
Zerubbabel2. Temple finished 5163. Under Ezra and Nehemiah4. Strange mix of zeal with
complacency5.Chapters 56-66.
Background
3. Return (539-400)1. Under Jeshua and
Zerubbabel2. Temple finished 5163. Under Ezra and Nehemiah4. Strange mix of zeal with
complacency5.Chapters 56-66 (Sort of).
Authorship
The difficulty:
Authorship questioned
Reasons :1) Radical change of style (40-
66).2) “Cyrus” (45:1)--130 years
later.3) A message for whom?
• 1-39: Isaiah’s time (739-686)• 40-55: exiles (586-539)• 56-66: returnees (539-400)
The question:
Can a prophet deliver messages that will have meaning for 3 different historical periods...
The question:
Can a prophet deliver messages that will have meaning for 3 different historical periods...
...2 of which are long after he is dead?
Authorship
Short anwer:
Authorship
Short anwer:Why not?