Historical Backdrop of Yeshayahu 1/1/en
Historical Backdrop of Yeshayahu 1
Introduction
An Undated Prophecy
The opening verse of Sefer Yeshayahu teaches that Yeshayahu prophesied during the reigns of Uziyahu, Yotam, Achaz and Chizkiyahu. However, most of the individual prophecies in the book are not dated, leaving the historical background of each uncertain. Chapter 1 is a case in point. Which of the four kings was the intended audience of this rebuke? Does the fact that the prophecy opens the book suggest that it was the first prophecy received, and therefore should be dated to the reign of Uziyahu, or might the book be achronological? What clues does the chapter provide which might allow one to reconstruct the era of which it speaks?
Sins and Punishment
In order to best determine to whom Yeshayahu is speaking, commentators try to match the sins described in the chapter with those of the various kings.
Account of sins
- Interpersonal Sins – Much of the chapter focuses on sins in the interpersonal realm, as Yeshayahu chastises the nation for its mistreatment of unfortunates, perversion of justice, and problematic leaders. He calls on them to do justice: "לִמְדוּ הֵיטֵב דִּרְשׁוּ מִשְׁפָּט" (17), bemoans how a once righteous city is now filled with murderers (21), and attacks the nation's leaders: "שָׂרַיִךְ סוֹרְרִים וְחַבְרֵי גַּנָּבִים... יָתוֹם לֹא יִשְׁפֹּטוּ וְרִיב אַלְמָנָה לֹא יָבוֹא אֲלֵיהֶם" (23).
- Crimes against Hashem –The verses seem to imply that the nation was worshiping Hashem and bringing sacrifices just not for the right reason, though there is a little of a hint to idolatry, "וְהֵם פָּשְׁעוּ בִי" (2), "עָזְבוּ אֶת י"י" (4), "לֹא תוֹסִיפוּ הָבִיא מִנְחַת שָׁוְא" (13), and "כִּי יֵבֹשׁוּ מֵאֵילִים אֲשֶׁר חֲמַדְתֶּם" (29). To which king do the verses refer to?
- Uziyahu is described as doing "הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינֵי י"י", though the nation was still sacrificing on high altars. He was stricken with leprosy according to Divrei HaYamim II (26:16) as a result of "גָּבַהּ לִבּוֹ עַד לְהַשְׁחִית וַיִּמְעַל בַּי"י אֱלֹהָיו". The social issues of the time were rebuked by Amos who extends present the injustice going on, "עַל מִכְרָם בַּכֶּסֶף צַדִּיק וְאֶבְיוֹן בַּעֲבוּר נַעֲלָיִם" (Amos 2:6).
- There is little information about Yotam, besides that he followed in Hashem's ways and that the nation continued to sacrifice on high altars.
- Achaz, however, is depicted as one of the kings of Israel, sacrificing on high altars, sending bribe from the treasures of the Mikdash, and building an altar parallel to the one in Damascus.
- Chizkiyahu returns to the right path to the extent that it says about him "בַּי"י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּטָח וְאַחֲרָיו לֹא הָיָה כָמֹהוּ בְּכֹל מַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה וַאֲשֶׁר הָיוּ לְפָנָיו" (Melakhim II 18:5). In addition, he purified the Mikdash and the country from idolatry and impurity.
- Account of destruction – The destruction seems to be talking of the present, and not a warning of what will happen in the future, "אַרְצְכֶם שְׁמָמָה עָרֵיכֶם שְׂרֻפוֹת אֵשׁ" (7), "וְנוֹתְרָה בַת צִיּוֹן כְּסֻכָּה בְכָרֶם" (8). It can refer to one of three destructions:
- Achaz's battles – Retzin the king of Aram together with Pekach king of Israel, besieged Yerushalayim, they put in captivity many of the people and killed "מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים אֶלֶף בְּיוֹם אֶחָד" (Divrei HaYamim II 28:6). In addition, Edom struck Yehuda putting in captivity many people, and the Pelishtim invaded a few cities.
- Sancheriv's rise on Chizkiyahu – In Chizkiyahu's fourteenth year, Snacheriv rose against him and captured "כׇּל עָרֵי יְהוּדָה הַבְּצֻרוֹת".
- Exile of the ten tribes –
- Account of consolation – Yeshayahu 2:2 seems to be a continuation of the consolation in chapter 1 and there it says, "וְהָיָה בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים".
