Difference between revisions of "Historical Backdrop of Yeshayahu 40/2"

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<point><b>Why speak about the return from Babylonia now?</b> These sources offer several approaches to this question:<br/>
 
<point><b>Why speak about the return from Babylonia now?</b> These sources offer several approaches to this question:<br/>
 
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<li>Ibn Ezra points out that the previous&#160;chapter<fn>See <a href="Yeshayahu39" data-aht="source">Yeshayahu 39</a>.</fn> closed with the prediction that Chizkiyahu's descendants and the palace treasures were to be exiled to Babylonia. </li>
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<li>Ibn Ezra points out that the previous&#160;chapter<fn>See <a href="Yeshayahu39" data-aht="source">Yeshayahu 39</a>.</fn> closed with the prophecy that Chizkiyahu's descendants and the palace treasures were to be exiled to Babylonia. As such, Yeshayahu juxtaposed this prophecy of consolation aimed at those in exile, to comfort both them and his own generation who were otherwise left with an open-ended prediction of exile.<fn>The wording of the prophecy is somewhat difficult for this explanation, as yeshayahu appears to be addressing those in exile itself, sho have despaired of returning.</fn></li>
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<point><b>"כִּי מָלְאָה צְבָאָהּ כִּי נִרְצָה עֲוֺנָהּ"</b> – Ibn Ezra and Shadal explains that "צבא" refers to a set amount of time or work.&#160; The prophet tells the nation that the seventy years of Babylonian exile which were foretold by Yirmeyahu<fn>See <a href="Yirmeyahu25-11-12" data-aht="source">Yirmeyahu 25:11-12</a>.</fn> have come to their end.&#160; The people paid their due in punishment () and now it is time to return.</point>
 
<point><b>"כִּי מָלְאָה צְבָאָהּ כִּי נִרְצָה עֲוֺנָהּ"</b> – Ibn Ezra and Shadal explains that "צבא" refers to a set amount of time or work.&#160; The prophet tells the nation that the seventy years of Babylonian exile which were foretold by Yirmeyahu<fn>See <a href="Yirmeyahu25-11-12" data-aht="source">Yirmeyahu 25:11-12</a>.</fn> have come to their end.&#160; The people paid their due in punishment () and now it is time to return.</point>

Version as of 02:24, 21 June 2018

Historical Backdrop of Yeshayahu 40

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Era of Yeshayahu

Yeshayhau was comforting the people of his own time.

Babylonian Exile

Yeshayahu's words are addressed to the nation who had been exiled to Babylonia.

Why speak about the return from Babylonia now? These sources offer several approaches to this question:
  • Ibn Ezra points out that the previous chapter1 closed with the prophecy that Chizkiyahu's descendants and the palace treasures were to be exiled to Babylonia. As such, Yeshayahu juxtaposed this prophecy of consolation aimed at those in exile, to comfort both them and his own generation who were otherwise left with an open-ended prediction of exile.2
"כִּי מָלְאָה צְבָאָהּ כִּי נִרְצָה עֲוֺנָהּ" – Ibn Ezra and Shadal explains that "צבא" refers to a set amount of time or work.  The prophet tells the nation that the seventy years of Babylonian exile which were foretold by Yirmeyahu3 have come to their end.  The people paid their due in punishment () and now it is time to return.

Present Exile

Yeshayahu's prophecy speaks of the future redemption.  He tells the people not to despair for Hashem will ultimately redeem the nation and return those in exile to Tzion.

Why speak about Messianic times now?