Review: Antti Laato, Message and Composition of the Book of Isaiah: An Interpretation in the Light of Jewish Reception History

Full title
Review: Antti Laato, Message and Composition of the Book of Isaiah: An Interpretation in the Light of Jewish Reception History
Updated By
Research notes

RAC/not checked/29/10/2023

Reference type
Author(s)
Sweeney, Marvin A.
Year
2022
Journal / Book Title || Series Title
Review of Biblical Literature
Abbreviated Series Name
RBL
Work type
Label
30/10/2023
Abstract

The study deals with the theological message and composition of the Book of Isaiah and promotes a thesis that an early Jewish reception history helps us to find perspectives to understand them. This study treats the following themes among others:

|

1 Hezekiah as Immanuel was an important theme in the reception as can be seen in Chronicles and Ben Sira as well as in rabbinical writings. The central event which makes Hezekiah such an important figure, was the annihilation of the Assyrian army as recounted in Isaiah 36-37.

|

2 The Book of Isaiah was interpreted in apocalyptic milieu as the Animal Apocalypse and Daniel show. Even though the Qumran writings do not provide any coherent way to interpret Isaianic passages its textual evidence shows how the community has found from the Book of Isaiah different concepts to characterize the division of the Jewish community to the righteous and sinful ones (cf. Isa 65-66).