The Structural Design of Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66

Transcription

1 1 The Structural Design of Segment VII: Isaiah Please read the Introduction to Isaiah Segment VII: Isaiah Prophecies concerning restoration in postexilic Palestine Like the six preceding segments of the book of Isaiah, Segment VII is a numerical composition governed from beginning to end by the divine name numbers 17 and 26. It opens with two divine speeches consisting of 26 words each (56, ), which is indicative of the crucial role of divine speech. It ends with 17 words (66,24). Moreover, 135 of the 192 verses (70%) and 1744 of the 2697 words (65%) are highlighted by 17 and 26. The following major passages are highlighted in this way: Part II (57,1-21, 5-9) is made up of 260 words. Part III (58,1-14, 10-13) is made up of 222=34(2x17)+119(7x17)+17+52(2x26) words. Part IV (59,1-21, 14-17) is made up of 284=104(4x26)+78(3x26)+51(3x17)+51(3x17) words. Part V (60,8-16, 20-21) is made up of 119 (7x17) words. Part V (60,17-21) is made up of 78 (3x26) words. Part VI (61,1-9, 23) is made up of 130 (5x26) words. Part VII (62,2-9, 25) is made up of 119 (7x17) words. Part VIII (63,2-6, 27-28) is made up of 51 (3x17) words. Part VIII (63,7-19, 29) is made up of 170 words. Part VIII (64,6-11, 31) is made up of 68 (4x17) words. Part IX (65,13-19, 34) is made up of 104 (4x26) words. Part X (66,15-21, 40) is made up of 119 (7x17) words. Selected smaller crucial passages highlighted by 17 and YHWH sets the conditions for the restored community to live happily (56,1-2): 26 words. 2. YHWH s promise to eunuchs and foreigners keeping the sabbath (56,4-7): 68 (4x17) words. 3. YHWH warns the people against social apathy and idolatry (57,1-7): 85 (5x17) words. 4. YHWH promises peace to the righteous; there is no peace for the wicked (57,18-21): 34 (2x17) words. 5. The people confess their sins and transgressions (59,9-14): 78 (3x26) words. 6. YHWH decides to act and punish his adversaries (59,15-18): 51 (3x17) words. 7. YHWH will come as Redeemer for the penitent (59,19-21): 51 (3x17) words. 8. The nations will rebuild Jerusalem as the city of God (60,8-16): 119 (7x17) words. 9. YHWH will establish a peaceful and righteous society (60,17-21): 78 (3x26) words. 10. The nations will acknowledge Israel as God s people (61,1-9): 130 (5x26) words. 11. Jerusalem will rejoice in YHWH who brings justice (62,2-9): 119 (7x17) words. 12. All by himself YHWH has punished the nations (63,2-6): 51 (3x17) words. 13. The prophet implores YHWH to intervene (63,15-64,2): 85 (5x17) words. 14. The prophet prays for forgiveness for his people (64,6-11): 68 (4x17) words. 15. YHWH will repay his rebellious people their sins (65,2-7): 78 (3x26) words. 16. YHWH s servants will fare well; the disloyal will not (65,13-19): 104 (4x26) words. 17. YHWH will execute justice by fire and the sword (66,15-21): 119 (7x17) words. The Compositional structure of Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66: twelve different divisions C. WESTERMANN (Das Buch Jesaja, Kapitel 40-66, ATD 19, 1966): 56,1-2; 56,3-8; 56,9-12; 57,1-2; 57,3-6; 57,7-13; 57,14-21; 58,1-12; 58,13-14; 59,1-21; 60,1-22; 61,1-3; 61,4-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-7; 65,8-16a; 65,16b-25; 66,1-4; 66,5; 66,6-16; 66,17; 66, W. KESSLER (Gott geht es um das Ganze, Jesaja und 24-27, Die Botschafte des Alten Testaments 19, 1967): 56,1-8 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59, ,1-22; 61,1-11; 62, ,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-25; 66,1-4; 66,5-15; 66, A. SCHOORS (Jesaja, BOT, 9A/B, ): 56,1-2; 56,3-7; 56,8 56,9-12; 57,1-2; 57,3-4; 57,5-11; 57, , ,1-12; 58, ,1-4; 59,5-8; 59,9-15a; 59,15b-21 60,1-3; 60,4-9; 60,10-16; 60,17-22; 61,1-3;

2 2 61,4-9; 61,10-11; 62,1-3; 62,4-5; 62,6-7; 62,8-9; 62, ,1-6; 63,7-14; 63,15-19a; 63,19b-64,4a; 64,4b-8; 64, ,1-7; 65,8-10; 65,11-12; 65,13-16; 65,17-25; 66,1-4; 66,5; 66,6; 66,7-14; 66,15-16; 66,17; 66, H.S. HERBERT (The Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapters 40-66, Cambridge University Press, London etc. 1975): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-21; 60; 61; 62; 63,1-6; 63,7-19; 64,1-11; 65,1-7; 65,8-16; 65,17-25; 66,1-4; 66,5-6; 66,7-18a; 66,18b-24. W.A.M. BEUKEN (Jesaja, POT deel IIIA, 1989; deel IIIB, 1989): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59, ,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6 63,7-64,11 65,1-25; 66,1-6; 66, , J.D.W. WATTS (Isaiah 1-33 and Isaiah 34-66, Word Biblical Commentary 25, 1987): 52,13-57,21; 58,1-14; 59,1-15a; 59,15b-21; 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-7; 62,8-63,6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-16; 65,17-66,5; 66,6-24. J.L. KOOLE (Isaiah, Part 3, Vol. III: Isaiah 56-66, HCOT, Leuven 2001): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,2; 57,3-13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-21; 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-14; 63,15-64,11; 65,1-7; 65,8-16; 65,17-25; 66,1-4; 66,5-6; 66,7-14; 66, B.S. CHILDS (Isaiah: A Commentary, The Old Testament Library, 2001): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-11; 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-66,24. D.A. DORSEY (The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi, Grand Rapids, 1999): 55,1-56,12; 57,1-21; 58,1-59,21; 60,1-22; 61,1-62,9; 62,10-64,11; 65,1-66,24. R.N. WHYBRAY (Isaiah 40-66, The New Century Bible Commentary, 1975, ): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-8; 59,9-15a; 59,15b-21; 62,1-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,12; 65,1-25; 66,1-24. J. BLENKINSOPP (Isaiah 56-66, The Anchor Bible 19B, 2003): 56,1-8; 56,9-12; 57,1-2; 57,3-13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-8; 59,9-15a; 59,15b-20; 59,21; 60,1-22; 61,1-7; 61,8-11; 62,1-5; 62,6-9; 62,10-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-7; 65,8-12; 65,13-16; 65,17-25; 66,1-6; 66,7-16; 66, P. VAN DER LUGT (A rhetorical analysis of the poems in Isaiah 40-66, to be published in the near future. Private communication, 2014): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,15-20; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65; 66,1-14. Compositional structure based on content, layout markers, and numerical considerations Part I: 56,1-12 Who may come to God s holy mountain?: [] 12 vs; 179 w. Part II: 57,1-21 The righteous will inherit God s mountain: S 21 vs; 260 w. Part III: 58,1-14 The fasting that YHWH demands: S vs; 222 w. Part IV: 59,1-21 A confession of national wickedness: S (4x17) 21 vs; 284 w. Part V: 60,1-22 YHWH s promise of a new Jerusalem: S 22 vs; 295 w. Part VI: 61,1-62,1 Good tidings for the afflicted and brokenhearted: [] 12 vs; 180 w. Part VII: 62,2-12 The complete restoration of YHWH s people: S 11 vs; 163 w. Part VIII: YHWH comes as a warrior to fight and to save: S vs; 367 w. 728 Part IX: 65,1-25 YHWH will create a new world order: S (6x17) 25 vs; 361 w. (28x26) Part X: 66,1-24 YHWH s judgements and Zion s future hope: Col. 24 vs; 386 w. Parts I-IV (56-59) constitute a coherent literary entity which is sealed by 68 (4x17) verses. The same applies to Parts VI-X (61-66), which are sealed by 102 (6x17) verses. Being in between Part V (60) stands out in a special way. What is more, it is for the most part an uninterrupted divine speech. Parts VIII and IX (63-65) are closely linked by having altogether 728 (28x26) words. Division into smaller literary units in terms of content and numerical considerations I: 56,1-2 S; 56,3-5 S; 56,6-9 S; 56,10-12 []. II: 57,1-7 []: 57,8-10 []; 57,11-14 S; 57,15-17 []; 57,18-21 S. III: 58,1-2 []; 58,3-10 []; 58,11 []; 58,12-14 S. IV: 59,1-8 []; 59,9-14 []; 59,15-18 [] 59,19-21 S. V: 60,1-3 []; 60,4-7 []; 60,8-16 []; 60,17-22 S. VI: 61,1-9 S; 61,10-62,1 []. VII: 62,2-9 S; 62,10-12 S. VIII: 63,1 []; 63,2-6 S; 63,7-19 []; 64,1-5 []; 64,6-11 S. IX: 65,1-7 S; 65,8-12 P; 65,13-19 []; 65,20-25 S. X: 66,1-4 S; 66,5-9 S; 66,10-11 []; 66,12-14 []; 66,15-21 []; 66,22-23 []; 66,24 Col.

3 3 Note the sparse use of layout markers: only 16, which is characteristic of Isaiah Most remarkably, the chapters coincide for the most part with the overall structure. The texts in bold face in Column 2 of the table below contain words highlighted by 17 and 26. Vss Texts Words Lett. Sum words P/S Compositional Structure Part I: 56,1-12 Who may come to the holy mountain? 1100 Isa 56, Preamble to the preaching of the prophet 1101 Isa 56, / S DS 1 Maintain justice and do what is right! 26 words Isa 56, /49 S This S draws attention to the divine speech in vs Isa 56, The position of eunuchs who keep the sabbath 1104 Isa 56, / /30 S DS 2 A memorial in the temple for eunuchs. 26 words Isa 56, The position of foreigners who serve YHWH 1106 Isa 56, ,4-7 About eunuchs and foreigners: 68 (4x17) words Isa 56, Isa 56, /56 S 1109 Isa 56, Israel s watchmen are blind, lack understanding 1110 Isa 56, ,11 The shepherds have no understanding: 17 words Isa 56, /44 [] 12 Part I: 56, x 179 Part II: 57,1-21 The righteous will inherit God s mountain 1112 Isa 57, YHWH s warnings against idolatry 1113 Isa 57, Isa 57, (57,1-7) is highlighted by 85 (5x17) words Isa 57, Isa 57, Isa 57, Isa 57,7 11/85 (5x17) /85 [] 1119 Isa 57, The people are accused of serving Moloch 1120 Isa 57, Isa 57, /43 [] 1122 Isa 57, The idols cannot protect those who serve them 1123 Isa 57, (57,11-14) is highlighted by 52 (2x26) words Isa 57, Isa 57,14 9/52 (2x26) /52 S 1126 Isa 57, YHWH promises peace and solace to the righteous 1127 Isa 57, Isa 57, /46 [] 1129 Isa 57, There will be no peace for the wicked 1130 Isa 57, Isa 57, The entire paragraph is governed by 34 (2x17) words Isa 57,21 5/34 (2x17) /80 S 21 Part II: 57, x 260 Part II is in its entirety governed by 10x26 words. Part III: 58,1-14 The fasting that YHWH demands 1133 Isa 58, YHWH orders the prophet to address the people 1134 Isa 58,2 21/34 (2x17) /34 [] The entire paragraph is governed by 34 (2x17) words Isa 58, Fasting as such is not sufficient 1136 Isa 58, Isa 58, Isa 58, The entire paragraph is governed by 119 (7x17) words Isa 58, Isa 58, Isa 58, = Isa 58,10 11/119 (7x17) /119 [] 58,9-10 Emphasis on God s willingness to hear: 26 w Isa 58, /17 [] 12 YHWH promises to guide and care for Israel 1144 Isa 58, A condition is that Israel must rest on the sabbath 1145 Isa 58, The paragraph is highlighted by 52 (2x26) words Isa 58,14 16/52 (2x26) /52 S 14 Part III: 58, x 222 Part III is governed by 222= words.

4 4 Part IV: 59,1-21 A confession of national wickedness 1147 Isa 59, Israel s iniquities have alienated them from YHWH 1148 Isa 59, Isa 59, The entire paragraph is governed by 104 (4x26) words Isa 59, Isa 59, Isa 59, Isa 59, Isa 59,8 16/104 (4x26) /104 [] 1155 Isa 59, The people confess their sins and transgressions 1156 Isa 59, Isa 59, The entire paragraph is governed by 78 (3x26) words Isa 59, Isa 59, Isa 59,14 14/78 (3x26) /78 [] 59, (7x26) words Isa 59, YHWH decides to act and punish his adversaries 1162 Isa 59, Isa 59, The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3X17) words Isa 59,18 11/51 (3x17) /51 [] 1165 Isa 59, YHWH will come as Redeemer for the penitent 1166 Isa 59, The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3X17) words Isa 59,21 26/51 (3x17) /51 S 59, (6x17) words. 21 Part IV: 59, x 284 Part IV is governed by 284= words. Part V: 60,1-22 YHWH s promise of a new Jerusalem 1168 Isa 60, YHWH will make Jerusalem a city of light 1169 Isa 60, Isa 60, /28 [] 1171 Isa 60, Exiles will return and nations will praise YHWH 1172 Isa 60, Isa 60, Isa 60, /60 [] 1175 Isa 60, The nations will rebuild the city as the city of God 1176 Isa 60, Isa 60, The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3x17) words Isa 60,11 13/51 (3x17) Isa 60, Israel will profit from the service of the nations 1180 Isa 60, Isa 60, The entire paragraph is governed by 68 (4x17) words Isa 60, Isa 60,16 14/68 (7x17) /119 [] 1184 Isa 60, Jerusalem will be a city of peace and light 1185 Isa 60, ,17-21 YHWH will establish a peaceful society and 1186 Isa 60,19 19+/51 (3x17) all the people will be righteous, live happily and 1187 Isa 60, possess the land for ever: 78 (3x26) words Isa 60,21 11/78 (3x26) Isa 60, /88 S 22 Part V: 60, x 295 Pt. VI: 61,1-62,1 Good tidings to the afflicted and dejected 1190 Isa 61, Nations will acknowledge Israel as God s people 1191 Isa 61, Isa 61, The entire paragraph is governed by 130 (5x26) words Isa 61, Isa 61, Isa 61, ,6-7 These two verses constitute the absolute middle 1196 Isa 61, of Isaiah in terms of verses: 192= Isa 61, Isa 61,9 14/130 (5x26) /130 S 1199 Isa 61, YHWH will bring about righteousness and praise 1200 Isa 61, Isa 62, /50 [] 12 Part VI: 61,1-62, x 180

5 5 Part VII: 62,2-12 The restoration of YHWH s people 1202 Isa 62, Jerusalem will rejoice in YHWH who brings justice 1203 Isa 62, Isa 62, The entire paragraph is governed by 119 words Isa 62, Isa 62, Isa 62, Isa 62, Isa 62,9 10/119 (7x17) /119 S 1210 Isa 62, YHWH will bring back his people and cause praise 1211 Isa 62, ,11 YHWH will cause righteousness and praise: 17 w Isa 62, /44 S 11 Part VII: 62, x 163 Part VIII: YHWH the warrior comes to fight and to save 1213 Isa 63, /18 [] 27 YHWH is the figure coming from Blood-land Edom 1214 Isa 63, All by himself YHWH has punished the nations 1215 Isa 63, Isa 63, The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3x17) words Isa 63, Isa 63,6 8/51 (3x17) /51 S 1219 Isa 63, The prophet recounts YHWH s steadfast love 1220 Isa 63, Isa 63, / /45 63,8-9 Israel is saved and redeemed by him: 26 words Isa 63, Isa 63, ,11 YHWH remembers what he did of old: 17 words Isa 63, Isa 63, The entire paragraph is highlighted by 170 words Isa 63, / = Isa 63, Isa 63, ,16-19 The prophet appeals to YHWH as the Father 1229 Isa 63, of Israel to return for the sake of his servants: 51 words Isa 63, / Isa 63,19 16/ / Isa 64, Would that YHWH rend the heavens to come down 1233 Isa 64, Isa 64, Isa 64, Isa 64, /60 [] 1237 Isa 64, The prophet prays for forgiveness for his people 1238 Isa 64, Isa 64, The entire paragraph is governed by 68 (4x17) words Isa 64, Isa 64, Isa 64,11 8/68(4x17) /68 S 30 Part VIII: x 367 Part VIII is sealed by 17 occurrences of. Part IX: 65,1-25 YHWH will create a new world order 1243 Isa 65, YHWH will repay his rebellious people their sins 1244 Isa 65, Isa 65, ,2-7 YHWH will strech out his hands to a rebellious 1246 Isa 65, people and will in the end repay into their bosom all their 1247 Isa 65, iniquities and those of their fathers: 78 (3x26) words Isa 65, Isa 65,7 18/78 (3x26) /92 S 1250 Isa 65, YHWH s servants will survive; the disloyal will die 1251 Isa 65, Isa 65, Isa 65, Isa 65, /75 P 1255 Isa 65, YHWH s servants will fare well; the disloyal will not 1256 Isa 65, Isa 65, The entire paragraph is governed by 104 (4x26) words.

6 Isa 65, Isa 65, Isa 65, Isa 65,19 12/104 (4x26) /104 [] 1262 Isa 65, God s people will prosper and there will be peace 1263 Isa 65, Isa 65, ,22 They shall live long and enjoy the work of their 1265 Isa 65, hands and God will bless them: 17 words Isa 65, Isa 65, /90 S 25 Part IX: 65, x 361 Part X: 66,1-24 God s judgements and Zion s future hope 1268 Isa 66, The God of the universe has regard for the humble 1269 Isa 66, Isa 66, Isa 66, /72 S 1272 Isa 66, Strife and hostility among YHWH s people 1273 Isa 66, have altogether 153 (9x17) words Isa 66, Isa 66, ,8-9 The birth of a nation is a matter of course, but it 1276 Isa 66,9 12/153 12/ /71 S is YHWH who carries it out: 34 (2x17) words Isa 66, Call to rejoice with Jerusalem and be comforted 1278 Isa 66, /23 S 1279 Isa 66, YHWH will comfort Jerusalem and her inhabitants 1280 Isa 66, Isa 66, /43 [] 1282 Isa 66, YHWH will execute justice by fire and sword 1283 Isa 66, Isa 66, The entire paragraph is governed by 119 (7x17) words Isa 66, Isa 66, Isa 66, Isa 66,21 7/119 (7x17) /119 [] 1289 Isa 66, The universal worship of YHWH 1290 Isa 66, /31 [] 66,22 Special emphasis on Israel s endurance: 17 words Isa 66, /17 Col. 42 The fate of all who rebelled against YHWH: 17 w. 24 Part X: 66, x (90x17) letters. 192 Segm. VII: x Segm. I-VII: x The Masoretes also registered 1291 verses. Observation Since the passages specifically highlighted by 17 and 26 have been indicated in Column 8 of the table, it is not necessary to review them here. No less than 19 of the 42 paragraphs are highlighted in this way, apart from many individual verses, groups of verses, and major sections of the text: altogether 70% of the 192 verses and 65% of the 2697 words. The words attributed to YHWH in Isaiah It has been extremely difficult to detect and define the divine speeches precisely, mainly, because, as in 40-55, in many cases the normal introductory formulae are absent. Moreover, a special feature of the divine speeches in 56-66, as in the book of Jeremiah, is that God speaks in many instances about himself in the 3 rd person, contrary to what is customary in the speeches in Isaiah Compare the words attributed to YHWH in 56,6-7; 58,13-14; 60,8.14; 61,9; 62,8-9; 65, What is presented in the table below is the outcome of the close cooperation between Klaas Eikelenboom and myself. Formulae referring to God s words, such as and within or at the end of the speeches (Column 7), are registered separately, because they are not introductions in the strict sense of the word.

7 7 DS Text Speaker and Addressee Intro s Divine Speech Ref. For. DS+Ref. For. Total 1 56,1-2 YHWH >> Israel ,4-5 YHWH >> the eunuchs (6x17) ,6-7 [YHWH] >> the foreigners /68 (4x17) 4 56,8-9 YHWH >> the gathered ,3-14 [YHWH] >> Israel (6x26) (6x26) 156 (6x26) 6 57,15-19 YHWH >> Israel ,21 YHWH >> Israel ,1-2 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 34 (2x17) 0 34 (2x17) 34 (2x17) 9 58,3b-7 [YHWH] >> Israel ,9 YHWH >> Israel ,13-14 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 33/34 (2x17) ,20 [YHWH] >> Israel ,21 [YHWH] >> Israel ,4-22 [YHWH] >> Israel ( ) 15 61,8-9 [YHWH] >> Israel ,8-9 YHWH >> Himself ,11 YHWH >> the watchmen ,1b YHWH >> Israel ,3-6 YHWH >> Israel ,8a YHWH >> Israel 1 6/51 (3x17) 0 6/51 (3x17) ,1-7 [YHWH] >> Israel ,8-12 YHWH >> Israel ,13-25 YHWH >> Israel (11x ,1-4 YHWH >> Israel ,5 YHWH >> Israel (36x17) ,9 YHWH >> Israel ,12-14a YHWH >> Israel ,17-21 [YHWH] >> Israel ,22-24 [YHWH] >> Israel (57x26) Even though some of the summations in Column 5 may be due to coincidence, they are too conspicuous to be waved aside as coincidence. Note the following significant features: 1. The 29 Divine Speeches have altogether 1482 (57x26) words. 2. Additionally, no less than 67% of the words in the individual speeches and groups of speeches are highlighted by 17 and Speeches 1 and 2 (56, ) stand out by having 26 words each. 4. Speeches 1-4 (56) have altogether 102 (6x17) words. 5. Speeches 2 and 3 (56,4-7), including their introductions, have altogether 68 (4x17) words. 6. Speech 5 (57,3-14) has altogether 156 (6x26) words. 7. Speech 8 (58,1-2) has altogether 34 (2x17) words. 8. Speeches 10 and 11 (58, ) have altogether 34 (2x17) words. 9. Speech 13 (59,21), including the referring formulae, has 26 words. 10. The middle section of Speech 14 (vs in 60,4-22) has 119 (7x17) words. 11. Speech 17 (62,11), including its introduction, has 17 words. 12. Speeches 19 and 20 (63,3-6.8a) have altogether 51 (3x17) words. 13. Speech 23 (65,13-25) has altogether 187 (11x17) words. 14. Speeches (66, a) have altogether 51 (3x17) words. 15. The 11 Speeches (65-66) have altogether 612 (36x17) words. See the next pages for the Hebrew text in which the Divine Speeches are marked.

8 8 Words ascribed to God in Isaiah Isaiah , = , = , = , =18 Isaiah , =156 (6x26)

9 9 6 57, = , [5]=5 Isaiah , =34 (2x17) 9 58,3b = ,9 1+1=2

10 , [37]=37 Isaiah , [8]= , [26]=26 Isaiah 60

11 , =267 ( ) 60, , (7x17) 60, Isaiah 61

12 , =29 Isaiah , = , =17 Isaiah 63

13 ,1b 0+5= , = ,8a 1+6=7 Isaiah 64

14 14 Isaiah , [92]= , = , [189]= =11x17

15 15 Isaiah , [79]= , [12]= , [12]= ,12-14a 4+31= , [97]=97

16 , [48]=48 I am deeply indebted to Klaas Eikelenboom for his invaluable contribution to the analysis of the text, especially concerning the divine speeches. I also owe thanks to Pieter van der Lugt for his constructive remarks. Back to Segment I: Isaiah 1-12