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?