Historical Backdrop of Yeshayahu 1/2

Chronology of Yeshayahu 1

Exegetical Approaches

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During the reign of Uziyahu

The prophecy of Yeshayahu 1 was given during the reign of Uziyahu regarding the sins of his era, and the punishment that was to come to the people in the future.

Chronology of Sefer Yeshayahu – This approach assumes that the Book of Yeshayahu is written in chronological order.¹ Since the heading of Chapter 6 reads, "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ", it assumes that the previous chapters occurred during Uziyahu's reign.  This creates a difficulty, as it is hard to understand the need for special mission resembling an initiation prophecy / call to prophecy.  Therefore, R. Eliezer of Beaugency suggests that a lot of time passed between prophesying chapters 1-5 and 6.

Relationship to time period

Description of sin – We do not know much about the situation of the nation during Uziyahu's reign, other than that they continued to sacrifice on outside alters.  Uziyahu himself is depicted as a good king who followed in Yoshiyahu's path, besides that he got leprosy, which according to Divrei HaYamim II 26:16 was because "גָּבַהּ לִבּוֹ עַד־לְהַשְׁחִית וַיִּמְעַל בַּיהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו".  This does not seem to match the portrait Yeshayahu paints of "עָזְבוּ אֶת י"י" and "שָׂרַיִךְ סוֹרְרִים וְחַבְרֵי גַּנָּבִים".

Description of destruction – R. Eliezer of Beaugency reads the description of destruction to be speaking of the future, Sancheriv's rise on Chizkiyahu and the capturing of the fortified cities of Yehuda described in Melakhim II 18:13.  "וְנוֹתְרָה בַת צִיּוֹן כְּסֻכָּה בְכָרֶם" describes the besiegement of Yerushalayim, which was almost the only city left not captured.  And "אַרְצְכֶם שְׁמָמָה" can relate to the way the whole country will look after the ten tribes exile to Ashur.

Description of consolation – R. Eliezer of Beaugency seems to read the verses of נחמה to be during the time of "אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים" mentioned in the next chapter (2:2), which he does not explicate when it is.²  "אֲשֶׁר חָזָה" in 2:1 regards the prophecy told right beforehand.

During the reign of Achaz

Chronology of Sefer Yeshayahu

Relationship to time period

Description of sin – The description of the sin of idolatry matches Achaz's time period. Shadal questions this approach, however, because the focus of the verses seems to be more on the interpersonal sins, as the verses do describe that sacrifices were brought to Hashem just for the wrong purpose. And the only explicit hint that they worshiped idols which certainly was the central sin in the time of Achaz are the words "כִּי יֵבֹשׁוּ מֵאֵילִים אֲשֶׁר חֲמַדְתֶּם" (in verse 29).

Description of destruction – These verses can be read about the present, the desolation that resulted from the battles Achaz fought and lost against Aram, Pekach, Pelishtim, and Ashur.

Description of consolation

During the reign of Chizkiyahu

Chronology of Sefer Yeshayahu

Relationship to time period

Description of sin

Description of destruction

Description of consolation

During the reign of all four kings

Chronology of Sefer Yeshayahu

Relationship to time period

Description of sin

Description of destruction

Description of consolation

¹ Chapters 1-5 were given during Uziyahu's reign, chapter 6 during Yotam's reign (6:1 begins with Uziyahu's death "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ"), 7-14:27 were during Achaz's reign (7:1 begins with Achaz "בִּימֵי אָחָז בֶּן יוֹתָם בֶּן עֻזִּיָּהוּ"), and finally chapters 14:28 until the end were during Chizkiyahu's reign (14:28 tells of the death of Achaz "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ אָחָז").

² Radak and others there explain it about the time of the Mashiach, while Ibn Kaspi proposes it to be in the time of Chizkiyahu.