The Book Called Isaiah

Recent research on the book of Isaiah has been dominated by discussions of its unity and authorship. Professor Williamson's important study provides a major and highly original contribution to these key issues, and is based upon a more rigorous methodology than ever used before. Isaiah is usually regarded as the work of two authors - the so-called Isaiah of Jerusalem (Isaiah 1-39) and Deutero-Isaiah (the author of Isaiah 40-55). Professor Williamson argues that the author of Isaiah 40-55 was in fact strongly influenced by the work of the earlier writer. Secondly, he demonstrates that the earlier work was regarded as a book which had been sealed up until the time when judgement was past and the day of salvation had arrived, and that Deutero-Isaiah believed himself to be heralding the arrival of that day. Thirdly, and most provocatively, Professor Williamson argues that Deutero-Isaiah both included and edited a version of the earlier prophecies along with his own, intending from the start that they should be read togather as a complete whole. This innovative and scholarly work, which sheds much new light on some of the more neglected passages, has had significant implications for future work on this much-loved prophetic book.

ISBN 0199281076   Pages 328 ISBN13 9780199281077 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Oxford University Press   Weight (grammes) 422 Imprint Oxford University Press   Published in Oxford Format Paperback   Height (mm) 217 Publication date 17 Feb 2005   Width (mm) 138 Library of Congress BS1515.5   Spine width (mm) 18 DEWEY 224.106   Academic level Professional / Scholarly DEWEY edition DC22

1		Recent study of the book called Isaiah		1
2		Limitations, presuppositions, and method		19
3		Isaiah chapter 6		30
4		Further examples of Isaianic influence		57
5		On writing and witnesses		94
6		Deutero-Isaiah and Isaiah 2-12		116
7		Deutero-Isaiah and Isaiah 13-27		156
8		Deutero-Isaiah and Isaiah 28-39		184
9		Conclusions		240

"In this carefully argued monograph Williamson presents a fascinating theory and comes to daring conclusions....A work that is clear, convincing and challenging. It marks an important contribution to work on the book of Isaiah....This is the kind of study that keeps one gripped by the argument and fascinated to see in which direction the author will move next; a rare treat in modern biblical studies."--Reviews in Religion and Theology

"Williamson has written the most carefully thought out and detalied work..."--The Journal of Religion

"Intelligently conceived and argued. An important contribution to the contemporary debate on the composition and literary character of the book of Isaiah....this brilliant study must be considered by all concerned with the book of Isaiah."--Religious Studies Review

 Be the first to write a customer review