Old Testament Essays (Oct 2018)

The Significance of the Rhetorical Ambiguity in Isaiah 54:16

  • Nissim Amzallag,
  • Shamir Yona

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31, no. 2

Abstract

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Abstract: The ambiguity in Isa 54:16a concerning the identity of the subject (YHWH or the smith) of the two verbs evoking a metallurgical action (to blow and to cast) is identified here as a rhetorical device intending to conceal the essential relation of YHWH with metallurgy. Integrated in the whole Isaiah 54 chapter, this device becomes a plea for the definitive replacement of Edom with Israel as YHWH’s people, exactly as in Isaiah 34-35 and Isaiah 61-63

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