the structural design of segment vii: isaiah 56-66 · the structural design of segment vii: isaiah...

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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM

The Structural Design of Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66

Please read the Introduction to Isaiah

Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 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 (56,1-2.4-5), 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 26 1. 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; 66,18-24.

W. KESSLER (Gott geht es um das Ganze, Jesaja 56-66 und 24-27, Die Botschafte des Alten Testaments 19, 1967): 56,1-8 | 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-21 | 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12 | 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; | 65,1-25; 66,1-4; 66,5-15; 66,16-24.

A. SCHOORS (Jesaja, BOT, 9A/B, 1972-1973): 56,1-2; 56,3-7; 56,8 | 56,9-12; 57,1-2; 57,3-4; 57,5-11; 57,12-13 | 57,14-21 | 58,1-12; 58,13-14 | 59,1-4; 59,5-8; 59,9-15a; 59,15b-21 | 60,1-3; 60,4-9; 60,10-16; 60,17-22; 61,1-3;

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61,4-9; 61,10-11; 62,1-3; 62,4-5; 62,6-7; 62,8-9; 62,10-12 | 63,1-6; 63,7-14; 63,15-19a; 63,19b-64,4a; 64,4b-8; 64,9-11 | 65,1-7; 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; 66,18-24.

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; 59,1-21 | 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6 | 63,7-64,11 | 65,1-25; 66,1-6; 66,7-14 | 66,15-24.

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; 66,15-24.

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, 19902): 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; 66,17-24.

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 68 14 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: 63-64 YHWH comes as a warrior to fight and to save: S 102 30 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.


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Note the sparse use of layout markers: only 16, which is characteristic of Isaiah 56-66. 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 56,1 13 3 10+ 54 368 14247 §1 Preamble to the preaching of the prophet

1101 Isa 56,2 16 16/26 55 14263 S DS 1 “Maintain justice and do what is right!” 26 words.

1102 Isa 56,3 20 71 369-370 14283/49 S This S draws attention to the divine speech in vs. 4-5.

1103 Isa 56,4 14 4 10+ 62 371 14297 §2 The position of eunuchs who keep the sabbath

1104 Isa 56,5 16 16/26 59 14313/30 S DS 2 “A memorial in the temple for eunuchs.” 26 words.

1105 Isa 56,6 19 79 372-373 14332 §3 The position of foreigners who serve YHWH

1106 Isa 56,7 19 84 14351 56,4-7 About eunuchs and foreigners: 68 (4x17) words.

1107 Isa 56,8 10 42 374 14361

1108 Isa 56,9 8 27 14369/56 S

1109 Isa 56,10 15 58 14384 §4 Israel’s watchmen are blind, lack understanding

1110 Isa 56,11 17 65 14401 56,11 The shepherds have no understanding: 17 words.

1111 Isa 56,12 12 43 14413/44 []

12 Part I: 56,1-12 179 699 7x 179

Part II: 57,1-21 The righteous will inherit God’s mountain

1112 Isa 57,1 17+ 62 14430 §5 YHWH’s warnings against idolatry

1113 Isa 57,2 7+ 29 14437

1114 Isa 57,3 8+ 30 14445 §5 (57,1-7) is highlighted by 85 (5x17) words.

1115 Isa 57,4 15+ 52 14460

1116 Isa 57,5 12+ 51 14472

1117 Isa 57,6 15+ 52 14487

1118 Isa 57,7 11/85 (5x17) 34 14498/85 []

1119 Isa 57,8 18 74 14516 §6 The people are accused of serving Moloch

1120 Isa 57,9 12 52 14528

1121 Isa 57,10 13 41 14541/43 []

1122 Isa 57,11 20+ 70 14561 §7 The idols cannot protect those who serve them

1123 Isa 57,12 7+ 30 14568 §7 (57,11-14) is highlighted by 52 (2x26) words.

1124 Isa 57,13 16+ 60 14584

1125 Isa 57,14 9/52 (2x26) 33 14593/52 S

1126 Isa 57,15 22 82 14615 §8 YHWH promises peace and solace to the righteous

1127 Isa 57,16 14 54 14629

1128 Isa 57,17 10 42 14639/46 []

1129 Isa 57,18 8+ 42 14647 §9 There will be no peace for the wicked

1130 Isa 57,19 10+ 45 375 14657

1131 Isa 57,20 11+ 44 14668 The entire paragraph is governed by 34 (2x17) words.

1132 Isa 57,21 5/34 (2x17) 20 14673/80 S

21 Part II: 57,1-21 260 999 1x 260 Part II is in its entirety governed by 10x26 words.

Part III: 58,1-14 The fasting that YHWH demands

1133 Isa 58,1 13+ 52 14686 §10 YHWH orders the prophet to address the people

1134 Isa 58,2 21/34 (2x17) 90 14707/34 [] The entire paragraph is governed by 34 (2x17) words.

1135 Isa 58,3 16+ 62 14723 §11 Fasting as such is not sufficient

1136 Isa 58,4 13+ 56 14736

1137 Isa 58,5 20+ 79 376 14756


1139 Isa 58,7 15+ 62 14787

1140 Isa 58,8 13+ 54 377 14800

1141 Isa 58,9 15+ 15+11=26 57 378 14815

1142 Isa 58,10 11/119 (7x17) 49 14826/119 [] 58,9-10 Emphasis on God’s willingness to hear: 26 w.

1143 Isa 58,11 17 76 379 14843/17 [] §12 YHWH promises to guide and care for Israel

1144 Isa 58,12 15+ 59 14858 §13 A condition is that Israel must rest on the sabbath

1145 Isa 58,13 21+ 88 380 14879 The paragraph is highlighted by 52 (2x26) words.

1146 Isa 58,14 16/52 (2x26) 62 381-382 14895/52 S

14 Part III: 58,1-14 222 912 7x 222 Part III is governed by 222=34+119+17+52 words.


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Part IV: 59,1-21 A confession of national wickedness

1147 Isa 59,1 10+ 36 383 14905 §14 Israel’s iniquities have alienated them from YHWH

1148 Isa 59,2 13+ 62 14918


1150 Isa 59,4 15+ 55 14945

1151 Isa 59,5 12+ 58 14957

1152 Isa 59,6 13+ 57 14970

1153 Isa 59,7 13+ 59 14983

1154 Isa 59,8 16/104 (4x26) 61 14999/104 []

1155 Isa 59,9 15+ 59 15014 §15 The people confess their sins and transgressions

1156 Isa 59,10 11+ 56 15025


1158 Isa 59,12 12+ 57 15049

1159 Isa 59,13 14+ 54 384 15063

1160 Isa 59,14 14/78 (3x26) 55 15077/78 [] 59,1-14 182 (7x26) words.

1161 Isa 59,15 13+ 52 385 15090 §16 YHWH decides to act and punish his adversaries

1162 Isa 59,16 14+ 55 15104

1163 Isa 59,17 13+ 59 15117 The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3X17) words.

1164 Isa 59,18 11/51 (3x17) 46 15128/51 []

1165 Isa 59,19 17+ 60 386-387 15145 §17 YHWH will come as Redeemer for the penitent

1166 Isa 59,20 8+ 32 388 15153 The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3X17) words.

1167 Isa 59,21 26/51 (3x17) 98 389-390 15179/51 S 59,15-21 102 (6x17) words.

21 Part IV: 59,1-21 284 1183 8x 284 Part IV is governed by 284=104+78+51+51 words.

Part V: 60,1-22 YHWH’s promise of a new Jerusalem

1168 Isa 60,1 9 32 391 15188 §18 YHWH will make Jerusalem a city of light

1169 Isa 60,2 13 53 392 15201

1170 Isa 60,3 6 28 15207/28 []

1171 Isa 60,4 15 57 15222 §19 Exiles will return and nations will praise YHWH

1172 Isa 60,5 15 52 15237

1173 Isa 60,6 15 64 393 15252

1174 Isa 60,7 15 60 15267/60 []

1175 Isa 60,8 7+ 31 15274 §20 The nations will rebuild the city as the city of God

1176 Isa 60,9 20+ 84 394 15294


1178 Isa 60,11 13/51 (3x17) 59 15318

1179 Isa 60,12 10+ 43 15328 §21 Israel will profit from the service of the nations

1180 Isa 60,13 14+ 62 15342

1181 Isa 60,14 18+ 74 395 15360 The entire paragraph is governed by 68 (4x17) words.

1182 Isa 60,15 12+ 53 15372

1183 Isa 60,16 14/68 (7x17) 58 396 15386/119 []

1184 Isa 60,17 19+ 82 15405 §22 Jerusalem will be a city of peace and light

1185 Isa 60,18 13+ 56 15418 60,17-21 YHWH will establish a peaceful society and

1186 Isa 60,19 19+/51 (3x17) 71 397 15437 all the people will be righteous, live happily and

1187 Isa 60,20 16+ 56 398 15453 possess the land for ever: 78 (3x26) words.

1188 Isa 60,21 11/78 (3x26) 46 15464

1189 Isa 60,22 10 43 399 15474/88 S

22 Part V: 60,1-22 295 1219 9x 295

Pt. VI: 61,1-62,1 Good tidings to the afflicted and dejected

1190 Isa 61,1 20+ 81 400-401 15494 §23 Nations will acknowledge Israel as God’s people

1191 Isa 61,2 10+ 41 402 15504


1193 Isa 61,4 12+ 53 15540

1194 Isa 61,5 8+ 38 15548

1195 Isa 61,6 13+ 60 404 15561 61,6-7 These two verses constitute the absolute middle

1196 Isa 61,7 14+ 57 15575 of Isaiah 56-66 in terms of verses: 192=95+2+95.

1197 Isa 61,8 15+ 58 405 15590

1198 Isa 61,9 14/130 (5x26) 58 406 15604/130 S

1199 Isa 61,10 19 77 407 15623 §24 YHWH will bring about righteousness and praise

1200 Isa 61,11 16 65 408 15639

1201 Isa 62,1 15 61 15654/50 []

12 Part VI: 61,1-62,1 180 735 9x 180


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Part VII: 62,2-12 The restoration of YHWH’s people

1202 Isa 62,2 14+ 50 409 15668 §25 Jerusalem will rejoice in YHWH who brings justice

1203 Isa 62,3 9+ 39 410 15677

1204 Isa 62,4 23+ 80 411 15700 The entire paragraph is governed by 119 words.

1205 Isa 62,5 13+ 51 15713

1206 Isa 62,6 18+ 70 412 15731

1207 Isa 62,7 12+ 42 15743

1208 Isa 62,8 20+ 75 413 15763

1209 Isa 62,9 10/119 (7x17) 47 414 15773/119 S

1210 Isa 62,10 15 56 15788 §26 YHWH will bring back his people and cause praise

1211 Isa 62,11 17 62 415 15805 62,11 YHWH will cause righteousness and praise: 17 w.

1212 Isa 62,12 12 45 416 15817/44 S

11 Part VII: 62,2-12 163 617 8x 163

Part VIII: 63-64 YHWH the warrior comes to fight and to save

1213 Isa 63,1 18 66 15835/18 [] §27 YHWH is the figure coming from Blood-land Edom

1214 Isa 63,2 6+ 26 15841 §28 All by himself YHWH has punished the nations

1215 Isa 63,3 18+ 77 15859


1217 Isa 63,5 12+ 52 15878

1218 Isa 63,6 8/51 (3x17) 38 15886/51 S

1219 Isa 63,7 19+ 75 417-419 15905 §29 The prophet recounts YHWH’s steadfast love

1220 Isa 63,8 10+ 10+ 37 15915

1221 Isa 63,9 16+ 16/26 67 15931/45 63,8-9 Israel is saved and redeemed by him: 26 words.

1222 Isa 63,10 12+ 43 15943

1223 Isa 63,11 17+ 17 58 15960 63,11 YHWH remembers what he did of old: 17 words.

1224 Isa 63,12 12+ 49 15972

1225 Isa 63,13 6+ 28 15978 The entire paragraph is highlighted by 170 words.

1226 Isa 63,14 13+ 49 420 15991/60 45+60+65=170

1227 Isa 63,15 14+ 65 16005

1228 Isa 63,16 16+ 16+ 63 421 16021 63,16-19 The prophet appeals to YHWH as the Father

1229 Isa 63,17 12+ 12+ 54 422 16033 of Israel to return for the sake of his servants: 51 words.

1230 Isa 63,18 7+ 7+16/51 30 16040

1231 Isa 63,19 16/170 60 16056/65

1232 Isa 64,1 12 48 16068 §30 Would that YHWH rend the heavens to come down

1233 Isa 64,2 8 35 16076

1234 Isa 64,3 13 50 16089

1235 Isa 64,4 14 53 16103

1236 Isa 64,5 13 57 16116/60 []

1237 Isa 64,6 13+ 56 16129 §31 The prophet prays for forgiveness for his people

1238 Isa 64,7 11+ 46 423 16140


1240 Isa 64,9 9+ 36 16163

1241 Isa 64,10 13+ 58 16176

1242 Isa 64,11 8/68(4x17) 30 425 16184/68 S

30 Part VIII: 63-64 367 1472 17x 367 Part VIII is sealed by 17 occurrences of .

Part IX: 65,1-25 YHWH will create a new world order

1243 Isa 65,1 14 55 16198 §32 YHWH will repay his rebellious people their sins

1244 Isa 65,2 13+ 48 16211

1245 Isa 65,3 11+ 49 16222 65,2-7 YHWH will strech out his hands to a rebellious

1246 Isa 65,4 10+ 53 16232 people and will in the end repay into their bosom all their

1247 Isa 65,5 15+ 50 16247 iniquities and those of their fathers: 78 (3x26) words.

1248 Isa 65,6 11+ 39 16258

1249 Isa 65,7 18/78 (3x26) 80 426 16276/92 S

1250 Isa 65,8 20 77 427 16296 §33 YHWH’s servants will survive; the disloyal will die

1251 Isa 65,9 11 53 16307

1252 Isa 65,10 11 44 16318

1253 Isa 65,11 13 55 428 16331

1254 Isa 65,12 20 87 16351/75 P

1255 Isa 65,13 20+ 77 429 16371 §34 YHWH’s servants will fare well; the disloyal will not

1256 Isa 65,14 12+ 46 16383



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1258 Isa 65,16 18+ 80 16412

1259 Isa 65,17 14+ 56 16426

1260 Isa 65,18 17+ 58 16443

1261 Isa 65,19 12/104 (4x26) 47 16455/104 []

1262 Isa 65,20 23 74 16478 §35 God’s people will prosper and there will be peace

1263 Isa 65,21 7 32 16485

1264 Isa 65,22 17 61 16502 65,22 They shall live long and enjoy the work of their

1265 Isa 65,23 13 51 431 16515 hands and God will bless them: 17 words.

1266 Isa 65,24 10 39 16525

1267 Isa 65,25 20 73 432 16545/90 S

25 Part IX: 65,1-25 361 1436 7x 361

Part X: 66,1-24 God’s judgements and Zion’s future hope

1268 Isa 66,1 18+ 61 433 16563 §36 The God of the universe has regard for the humble

1269 Isa 66,2 20+ 63 434 16583

1270 Isa 66,3 23+ 90 16606

1271 Isa 66,4 21+ 88 16627/72 S

1272 Isa 66,5 18+ 78 435-436 16645 §37 Strife and hostility among YHWH’s people

1273 Isa 66,6 10+ 40 437 16655 §§1-2 have altogether 153 (9x17) words.

1274 Isa 66,7 9+ 35 16664

1275 Isa 66,8 22+ 22+ 69 16686 66,8-9 The birth of a nation is a matter of course, but it

1276 Isa 66,9 12/153 12/34 50 438 16698/71 S is YHWH who carries it out: 34 (2x17) words.

1277 Isa 66,10 13 51 16711 §38 Call to rejoice with Jerusalem and be comforted

1278 Isa 66,11 10 49 16721/23 S

1279 Isa 66,12 20 76 439 16741 §39 YHWH will comfort Jerusalem and her inhabitants

1280 Isa 66,13 9 41 16750

1281 Isa 66,14 14 62 440 16764/43 []

1282 Isa 66,15 13+ 54 441 16777 §40 YHWH will execute justice by fire and sword

1283 Isa 66,16 11+ 38 442-443 16788


1285 Isa 66,18 13+ 58 16817

1286 Isa 66,19 30+ 116 16847

1287 Isa 66,20 29+ 124 445-447 16876

1288 Isa 66,21 7/119 (7x17) 27 448 16883/119 []

1289 Isa 66,22 17 68 449 16900 §41 The universal worship of YHWH

1290 Isa 66,23 14 54 450 16914/31 [] 66,22 Special emphasis on Israel’s endurance: 17 words.

1291 Isa 66,24 17 67 16931/17 Col. §42 The fate of all who rebelled against YHWH: 17 w.

24 Part X: 66,1-24 386 1530 18x 386 1530 (90x17) letters.

192 Segm. VII: 56-66 2697 10802 83x 2697

1291 Segm. I-VII: 1-66 16931 66888 450x 16931 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 56-66

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 3rd person, contrary to what is customary in the speeches in Isaiah 1-55. Compare the words attributed to YHWH in 56,6-7; 58,13-14; 60,8.14; 61,9; 62,8-9; 65,11.15-16.23.20.

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


DS Text Speaker and Addressee Intro’s Divine Speech Ref. For. DS+Ref. For. Total

1 56,1-2 YHWH >> Israel 3 26 0 26 29

2 56,4-5 YHWH >> the eunuchs 4 26 102 (6x17) 0 26 30+

3 56,6-7 [YHWH] >> the foreigners 0 38 0 38 38/68 (4x17)

4 56,8-9 YHWH >> the gathered 6 12 0 12 18

5 57,3-14 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 156 (6x26) 0 156 (6x26) 156 (6x26)

6 57,15-19 YHWH >> Israel 9 53 2 55 64

7 57,21 YHWH >> Israel 2 3 0 3 5

8 58,1-2 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 34 (2x17) 0 34 (2x17) 34 (2x17) 9 58,3b-7 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 72 0 72 72

10 58,9 YHWH >> Israel 1 1+ 0 1 2

11 58,13-14 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 33/34 (2x17) 4 37 37

12 59,20 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 6 2 8 8

13 59,21 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 22 4 26 26

14 60,4-22 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 267 0 267 267 (60+119+88)

15 61,8-9 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 29 0 29 29

16 62,8-9 YHWH >> Himself 5 25 0 25 30

17 62,11 YHWH >> the watchmen 6 11 0 11 17

18 63,1b YHWH >> Israel 0 5 0 5 5

19 63,3-6 YHWH >> Israel 0 45+ 0 45+ 45

20 63,8a YHWH >> Israel 1 6/51 (3x17) 0 6/51 (3x17) 7

21 65,1-7 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 90 2 92 92

22 65,8-12 YHWH >> Israel 3 72 0 72 75

23 65,13-25 YHWH >> Israel 5 187 (11x17 2 189 194

24 66,1-4 YHWH >> Israel 3 77 2 79 82

25 66,5 YHWH >> Israel 6 12 612 (36x17) 0 12 18

26 66,9 YHWH >> Israel 0 8 4 12 12 27 66,12-14a YHWH >> Israel 4 31 0 31 35

28 66,17-21 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 91 4 95 95

29 66,22-24 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 44 4 48 48

1-29 56-66 58 1482 (57x26) 30 1512 1570

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 26. 3. Speeches 1 and 2 (56,1-2.4-5) 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 (58,9.13-14) 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. 8-16 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 23-25 (66,5.9.12-14a) have altogether 51 (3x17) words. 15. The 11 Speeches 19-29 (65-66) have altogether 612 (36x17) words.

See the next pages for the Hebrew text in which the Divine Speeches are marked.


8


Words ascribed to God in Isaiah 56-66 Isaiah 56

1 56,1-2 3+26=29

2 56,4-5 4+26=30

3 56,6-7 0+38=38

4 56,8-9 6+12=18

Isaiah 57

5 57,3-14 0+156=156 (6x26)


9


6 57,15-19 9+53=53

7 57,21 0+3+2[5]=5

Isaiah 58

8 58,1-2 0+34=34 (2x17)

9 58,3b-7 0+72=72

10 58,9 1+1=2


10


11 58,13-14 0+33+4[37]=37

Isaiah 59

12 59,20 0+6+2[8]=8 13 59,21 0+22+4[26]=26

Isaiah 60


11


14 60,4-22 0+267=267 (60+119+88)

60,4-7 60

60,8-16 119(7x17)

60,17-22 88

Isaiah 61


12


15 61,8-9 0+29=29

Isaiah 62

16 62,8-9 5+25=30

17 62,11 6+11=17

Isaiah 63


13


18 63,1b 0+5=5

19 63,3-6 0+45=45

20 63,8a 1+6=7

Isaiah 64


14


Isaiah 65

21 65,1-7 0+90+2[92]=92

22 65,8-12 3+72=75

23 65,13-25 5+187+2[189]=194 187=11x17


15


Isaiah 66

24 66,1-4 3+77+2[79]=82

25 66,9 6+8+4[12]=12

26 66,9 0+8+4[12]=12

27 66,12-14a 4+31=35

28 66,17-21 0+91+6[97]=97


16


29 66,22-24 0+44+4[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


http://www.labuschagne.nl/prophets/Isaiah1-12.pdf

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