Isaiah Chapter 1

Had a couple language questions. I hope that these questions will not deter other discussions on Isaiah chapter 1 that might have a different approach - historical or devotional, Christian or Jewish.

Please feel free to comment on any aspect.

My question here though is about some of the Hebrew in vs 7 and in 8.

Verse 7 has "a wasteland, as overthrown of strangers." The notes explain that "overthrown", מהפכת, is used always, except here, to refer specifically to Sodom and Gomorrah. Given the reference to those cities in the subsequent verses, is it likely that verse 7 might be read "a wasteland as the destroyed Sodom"?

Verse 8 has "like a city beleagured." The verb seems to be NTsR (sorry for the lame transliteration), נצר. Which typically means "watch, keep, preserve." The meaning in translations seems to have been stretched a little to convey the sense of enclosed, and then further the sense of blockaded.

Is it possible that the verb might be TsRR, צרר, maybe as an apparently nonexistent nifal form. or simply a scribal addition of a nun consonant? This verb seems to have something of a closer meaning to the sense of the verse and to how the verse is translated.

The Septuagint has in verse 7, "overthrown by strange peoples" with no suggestion of Sodom. And in verse 8, it has "as a beseiged city." I wonder if the Septuagint helped interpret the meaning of נצר ?

In verses 11 through 15 Isaiah seems to me to attack the entire sacrificial system - naming each ritual individually - animal sacrifice, whole offerings, fat offerings, blood offerings, incense, new moon, Sabbath, solemn assembly, appointed feasts, even prayer.

For me this is the power of Isaiah.

Does 11 thru 15 have a pretty comprehensive list of the technical names for all the specific prescribed rituals?

Is this a condemnation of the Temple system?

How does this speak to us today?

Verse -15 "your hands are full of blood."

I have also seen it translated "your hands are stained with blood."

These translations hardly seem to do justice to Isaiah's point. The verb for "to fill" is also used in Ex 32.29. There translated variously - dedicate, ordain to the service of Yahweh.

Literally - fill your hands with Yahweh.

This idea then would have Isaiah stating in 1.15 - our hands are dedicated to (filled with) blood deeds (with the allusion to Ex 32.29 ready in the minds of his audience)

verse 27

Some commentaries hold 27 and 28 as later additions, based on the sharp division between righteous and sinners. This is significant point for me because I am not sure how to read the phrase במשפט and בצדקה.

Most translations have "by justice" and "by righteousness". The JPS bible offers a different translation "in the judgement" and "in the retribution."

If the JPS version is correct, then the verse might be referring specifically to the strife of the Assyrian seige. More typically Isaiah, dealing with contemporary and practical concerns.

The other translation seems more ethical, and refers to Yahweh action in redeeming Israel from sin. It seems a more Christian idea.

I have not found another translation with treatment similar to the JPS version, but it is an interesting option.

Would love to hear from others on these different approaches.

This is my first time on Library Thing, and this is the first blog I've read. Your approach caught my attention because I was talking yesterday to a friend about something similar: how translation, particularly of the verbs, can affect the meaning.

>5 the1tbone:This is my first time on Library Thing, and this is the first blog I've read.

Welcome to LT. I must warn you that participation can become addictive. I have been a member only since April.

Let me know if I can help in any way.

how translation, particularly of the verbs, can affect the meaning.

I am not expert in the Hebrew or Greek, but sometimes the verb tenses and other language nuances are difficult to catch. The difficulties are sometimes evident when comparing translations. My hope is that someone who has a better background than I will join in the discussion. There are on LT some highly knowledgable people.

It will be interesting to follow and see what others have to say!

the1tbone,
I would love to have others say something. For the most part, this group has been a discussion with myself. :)

Which I here continue:

Blekinsopp, in Prophecy in Israel page 103, argues the events of Chapter 1 are at 735, the time of the Syro-Ephraimite conflict. Other commentaries point to Hezekiah's revolt, 705-701.

Blekinsopp bases his argument on Isaiah's harsh rebuke of the cult worship, especially like in 1.10ff.

Other commentators look to the descriptions of the circumstances such as Jerusalem's isolation in 1.7,8 as closer to the Assyrian seige of 701.

It seems to me that both periods might be covered by different verses.

Possibly a better reading of verse 18, at least more consistent with the context of "arguing together with God."
RSV: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.

this is a reasonable reading of the imperfect "shall be made white"

Another reasonable reading though is with a little attitude, especially given the conditional clause introduced with "though."

though you sins are like scarlet, would they be made (out to be) white as snow?

The sarcasm answering any attempt by Judah to argue that the sins are really pure, and not sins.

I had mentioned this in one of the comments on the posts for Isaiah that had be started in the Christianity group. See comment 8 and 9 on this topic.

#3 Verse -15 "your hands are full of blood."

These translations hardly seem to do justice to Isaiah's point. The verb for "to fill" is also used in Ex 32.29. There translated variously - dedicate, ordain to the service of Yahweh

If vs 15 might be read "hands dedicated", is it possible that also in vs 21 "Jerusalem was dedicated to justice," rather than filled with justice?

I made a connection this morning in reading Chapter 1. Have not seen this connection referenced anywhere.

Verse 7 "your land scary desolate"

The same words are used in Exodus 23.29 to refer to Canaan as the Israelites are beginning their conquest.

Isaiah may be using the same phrasing to allude to the Exodus passage, equating the present Judah to the abominations of the earlier Canaanites, in fact the present land would come off worse than in the earlier time.

Yahweh did not make the Canaan land "scary desolate", but Judah is now "scary desolate." Judah is worse off.

Dear Richard, the lectionary has just now come to Isaiah, and I'm thrilled to have your posting as an extra resource. I hope that you're doing well in life and progressing through Isaiah!

Verse 7 has "a wasteland, as overthrown of strangers." The notes explain that "overthrown", מהפכת, is used always, except here, to refer specifically to Sodom and Gomorrah. Given the reference to those cities in the subsequent verses, is it likely that verse 7 might be read "a wasteland as the destroyed Sodom"?

Dr. George Stoeckhardt, in Isaiah: The First Twelve Chapters, suggests it is meant desolation by strangers, as barbarians would do, not to be compared with the utter destruction caused by God at Sodom and Gomorrah. A wasteland never the less, but God's power is infinitely greater.

"your hands are stained with blood."

Stoeckhardt says: "Before God they (Judah) were murderers because of the atrocities and unrighteousness whereof they had become guilty towards their brothers."

Those sins have stained their hands with the blood of their brothers.

I wish to thank you for causing me to again research God's word. I am not a bible scholar, but I delight in unraveling the mystery of his word. Having brought back this discussion of Isaiah from the archives, I wait to see if more activity ensues before continuing input.