Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Leelee · 04-24-2008, 08:17 AM

I have read that most scholars currently say that the book of Isaiah was written by more than one author. Isaiah 1-39 were written by Isaiah and the 40-66 were written by at least one other author, maybe two. What is some of the evidence that supports this view? I know that one reason given to support the two Isaiahs view is that Isaiah 1-39 is mainly about Assyria's conquest of Israel while the later chapters are mainly about the Babylonian exile. However, one evangelical counterargument I have seen is that Babylon is actually mentioned more often in Isaiah 1-39 than in 40-66.

John Kesler · 04-24-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leelee

I have read that most scholars currently say that the book of Isaiah was written by more than one author. Isaiah 1-39 were written by Isaiah and the 40-66 were written by at least one other author, maybe two. What is some of the evidence that supports this view?

Isaiah lived in the eighth century BCE, yet he allegedly predicted that the Jews would be liberated by Cyrus of Persia in the sixth century BCE. "Isaiah" even refers to Cyrus as "Yahweh's anointed" (messiah):

Quote:

Isaiah 45:1-4
Thus says Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped
to subdue nations before him
and strip kings of their robes,
to open doors before him--
and the gates shall not be closed:
2 I will go before you
and level the mountains,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron,
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness
and riches hidden in secret places,
so that you may know that it is I, Yahweh,
the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
I surname you, though you do not know me.

Leelee · 04-24-2008, 09:05 AM

Thanks for responding. Is there any other evidence for multiple authors of Isaiah? For example, a verse saying that the exile or restoration is currently happening while the author is living?

makerowner · 04-24-2008, 09:10 AM

Stylistic evidence is another part. Proto-Isaiah has a rather despondent message, preaching impending doom for Judea, whereas Deutero-Isaiah has a message of hope, as if the disaster had already happened. Proto-Isaiah uses Isaiah's name many times, while Deutero-Isaiah never does.

Leelee · 04-24-2008, 09:23 AM

Good point. I read that the name Isaiah ben Amoz is not used at all after Isaiah 38.

John Kesler · 04-24-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leelee

Thanks for responding. Is there any other evidence for multiple authors of Isaiah?

Monotheism seems well established in "second-Isaiah." For example:

Quote:

Isaiah 45:5:
5 I am Yahweh, and there is no other;
besides me there is no god.
I arm you, though you do not know me,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leelee

For example, a verse saying that the exile or restoration is currently happening while the author is living?

Isaiah 40:1-2 mentions the destruction of Jerusalem as if it were a past event:

Quote:

40:1 Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from Yahweh's hand
double for all her sins.

Isaiah 48:20 seems to allude to the captivity in Babylon as a current situation:

Quote:

Isaiah 48:20
20 Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea,
declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it,
send it forth to the end of the earth;
say, "Yahweh has redeemed his servant Jacob!"

XKV8R · 04-24-2008, 10:02 AM

1) how long of a period would a single isaiah have to live if he addressed all of the issues he addresses? from dealings with hezekiah and assyria to a past tense reference to the destruction of jerusalem?

2) note the parallels between 2kings 18:13ff and isa 36-39. someone copied someone. see seitz's 'zion's final destiny' for discussion on the parallel.

3) it's prob 3 authors or schools of authorship.

Minimalist · 04-24-2008, 11:55 AM

It doesn't matter when it was "written." What matters is when it was last "edited."

04-24-2008, 08:17 AM	#1
Leelee Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 49	Was there one author of Isaiah or more? I have read that most scholars currently say that the book of Isaiah was written by more than one author. Isaiah 1-39 were written by Isaiah and the 40-66 were written by at least one other author, maybe two. What is some of the evidence that supports this view? I know that one reason given to support the two Isaiahs view is that Isaiah 1-39 is mainly about Assyria's conquest of Israel while the later chapters are mainly about the Babylonian exile. However, one evangelical counterargument I have seen is that Babylon is actually mentioned more often in Isaiah 1-39 than in 40-66.

04-24-2008, 10:02 AM	#7
XKV8R Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ucla, southern california Posts: 140	more reasons 1) how long of a period would a single isaiah have to live if he addressed all of the issues he addresses? from dealings with hezekiah and assyria to a past tense reference to the destruction of jerusalem? 2) note the parallels between 2kings 18:13ff and isa 36-39. someone copied someone. see seitz's 'zion's final destiny' for discussion on the parallel. 3) it's prob 3 authors or schools of authorship.

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04-24-2008, 09:05 AM	#3
Leelee Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 49	Thanks for responding. Is there any other evidence for multiple authors of Isaiah? For example, a verse saying that the exile or restoration is currently happening while the author is living?

04-24-2008, 09:10 AM	#4
makerowner Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,962	Stylistic evidence is another part. Proto-Isaiah has a rather despondent message, preaching impending doom for Judea, whereas Deutero-Isaiah has a message of hope, as if the disaster had already happened. Proto-Isaiah uses Isaiah's name many times, while Deutero-Isaiah never does.

04-24-2008, 09:23 AM	#5
Leelee Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 49	Good point. I read that the name Isaiah ben Amoz is not used at all after Isaiah 38.

04-24-2008, 11:55 AM	#8
Minimalist Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,808	It doesn't matter when it was "written." What matters is when it was last "edited."

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