Abstract

This article focuses on the significance of the interrelationship between the fields of archaeology and history, rather than the rigorous application of literary criticism or historical analysis. By drawing inferences from both text and context an analysis is provided for a more informed reading of Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard".

Highlights

  • Realising only too well the importance of viticulture for the small plot farmers of the central highlands of ancient Israel, Isaiah employed the metaphor of the vineyard in one of the most mipressive speeches ever made

  • The song of the vineyard has been described as the poetical masterpiece of Old Testament literature (Kaiser, 1981:96), and one could add: of theological aptitude

  • In this article the intention is to focus on the interface between archaeological data and the historical setting of the text, not on the literary critical or traditional historical issues involved Making inferences by means of creative imagination and on account of some related infonnation does serve some purpose in interpreting the text, the understanding o f which depends, upon a far more comprehensive analysis (Hasel, 1991:30)

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Summary

In tro d u ction

Realising only too well the importance of viticulture for the small plot farmers of the central highlands of ancient Israel, Isaiah employed the metaphor of the vineyard in one of the most mipressive speeches ever made. The song of the vineyard has been described as the poetical masterpiece of Old Testament literature (Kaiser, 1981:96), and one could add: of theological aptitude. Every reader is challenged to participate in the song that narrates the simple story o f a fanner’s fnistrated expectations, only to be drawn into deep self-reflection o f his own conduct in life. A few remarks seem necessary regardmg the literary aspects as well as the theological impact o f the text

Literary aspects
Historical aspects
Isaiah’s “Song o f the V ineyard”
Findings
Theological aspects
Full Text
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