Major Prophets

Abstract

Major Prophets Christopher T. Begg, John M. Halligan, Michael W. Duggan, and William J. Urbrock 2257. [Prophets; Shamans] Martti Nissinen, "Why Prophets Are (Not) Shamans," VT 70 (2020) 124-39. This article explores the interface of prophecy and shamanhood from the point of view of intermediation, divination, and magic, performance and cosmology, gender and social status. The most significant feature in common between prophets and shamans is the role of an intermediary and the superhuman authority ascribed to their activity. Other similarities include performances carried out in an altered state of consciousness, gender-inclusiveness, as well as certain ritual roles and forms of social recognition. Whereas the actions of the prophets rarely go beyond the transmission of the divine word, the shaman's activity [End Page 812] is more strongly oriented toward ritual efficacy. In addition, the cosmological explanation of prophetic and shamanistic performance is different, and the transgendered roles assumed by shamans appear stronger. The social status of the two groups differs according to the different community structures within which they operate as these are reflected in the available source materials. Finally, N. argues that, even though the conceptual difference between prophets and shamans should be maintained, there is a marked interface between the two categories. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 2258. [Isaiah; Pentateuch] JiSeong James Kwon, "Re-examining the Torah in the Book of Isaiah," RB 126 (2019) 547-64. Scholars have argued that the author(s) of the Book of Isaiah intentionally employs the Mosaic Torah (Pentateuch) and in some cases exegetes it in his/their own context. E.g., it has been argued that the author(s) of such passages as Isa 1:10-17; 2:2-4; and 56:1-8 either support or repudiate specific texts of the Mosaic Torah. When, however, one takes into account intertextual links between Isaiah and the rest of the Hebrew Bible, various difficulties with this thesis arise. In this paper, I examine particular Isaianic texts that have been related to the Mosaic Torah and argue that each of the passages in question understands the instructions and laws to which it alludes in relation to its specific theological concerns, and probably does not intend to refer to any part of the Pentateuch in so doing. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 2259. [Isa 11:1-9] Omar João da Silva, "Os símbolos de uma utopia paradisíaca em Is 11,1-9 [The Symbols of a Paradisical Utopia in Isa 11:1-9]," EstBíb 35 (2018) 301-15. This study offers an exegetical analysis of one of the most emblematic and fascinating texts of the Bible, i.e. Isa 11:1-9. In his presentation of the text, d. S. highlights its message as a source of inspiration for the struggle against those who oppress, subordinate, enslave, and arbitrarily and unscrupulously dominate over the weak, the poor, the under-privileged and the less favored. The text provides such inspiration by holding out hope and aspiration for a better future of justice, righteousness, equity, security, and peace. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 2260. [Isa 29:1-8] Judith Gärtner, "'Deine Fremden' oder 'Deine Vermessenen' (Jes 29,5)? Die Ineinander von Gericht und Heil im Arielwort (Jes 29,1-8)," Ein Freund des Wortes, 110-25 [see #2428]. The short passage of G.'s title raises multiple, interconnected questions: Is it a word of judgment or salvation, or rather both? Is the passage an original unity? Is the MT reading zārāyik ("your foreigners") in v. 5 to be retained or is rather the Qumranic reading zādāyik ("your insolent ones") to be preferred? With regard to the second of these questions, G. identifies vv. 1-4 (+ 6) as the Grundschicht within the current unit which, in anticipation of the Assyrian assault of 701, announces Yhwh's coming judgment on Jerusalem ("Ariel"). Vv. 5 (in which G. argues on behalf of the MT reading as cited above) and 7 represent a post-701 Fortschreibung, which, while recognizing the fact of the Assyrian withdrawal, also intimates that Yhwh's judgment...