Difference between revisions of "Prophecy to Achaz – Calamity or Consolation/2"
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<point><b>Flies of Egypt and bees of Assyria</b> – According to this approach, the mention of the "זְּבוּב אֲשֶׁר בִּקְצֵה יְאֹרֵי מִצְרָיִם" is not intended to connote  that Egypt was to join forces with Assyria; it is simply a metaphor for any vast army. As such, the image of both the flies and the bees refer to the swarms of Assyrian soldiers who were to fall upon Aram and Israel.</point> | <point><b>Flies of Egypt and bees of Assyria</b> – According to this approach, the mention of the "זְּבוּב אֲשֶׁר בִּקְצֵה יְאֹרֵי מִצְרָיִם" is not intended to connote  that Egypt was to join forces with Assyria; it is simply a metaphor for any vast army. As such, the image of both the flies and the bees refer to the swarms of Assyrian soldiers who were to fall upon Aram and Israel.</point> | ||
<point><b>"תַעַר הַשְּׂכִירָה"</b> – Assyria is likened to a "razor" as it is about to raze the lands of Aram and Israel until not a hair is left.  This approach might agree with <multilink><a href="RashiYeshayahu7-15-25" data-aht="source">Rashi </a><a href="RashiYeshayahu7-15-25" data-aht="source">Yeshayahu 7:15-25</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>that "הַשְּׂכִירָה" refers to an honored or important person (or nation), rather than a hired hand.</point> | <point><b>"תַעַר הַשְּׂכִירָה"</b> – Assyria is likened to a "razor" as it is about to raze the lands of Aram and Israel until not a hair is left.  This approach might agree with <multilink><a href="RashiYeshayahu7-15-25" data-aht="source">Rashi </a><a href="RashiYeshayahu7-15-25" data-aht="source">Yeshayahu 7:15-25</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>that "הַשְּׂכִירָה" refers to an honored or important person (or nation), rather than a hired hand.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>"Butter and honey"</b> – In both verses 15 and 22, the eating of "fat and honey" is considered a blessing.  Yeshayahu declares that after Aram and Israel are defeated, the cattle of the Judeans will give forth so much milk that butter will be made from the leftovers.  This positive understanding of the image | + | <point><b>"Butter and honey"</b> – In both verses 15 and 22, the eating of "fat and honey" is considered a blessing.  Yeshayahu declares that after Aram and Israel are defeated, the cattle of the Judeans will give forth so much milk that butter will be made from the leftovers.  This positive understanding of the image might be supported by its similarity to the phrase "אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ", a description which consistently has a positive connotation in Tanakh.</point> |
<point><b>"לַשָּׁמִיר וְלַשַּׁיִת יִהְיֶה"</b> – The description of desolation in verses 23-25 relates to the lands of Aram and Israel.  After they are subdued by Assyria, the land will be barren and overgrown.</point> | <point><b>"לַשָּׁמִיר וְלַשַּׁיִת יִהְיֶה"</b> – The description of desolation in verses 23-25 relates to the lands of Aram and Israel.  After they are subdued by Assyria, the land will be barren and overgrown.</point> | ||
</opinion> | </opinion> | ||
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<point><b>Refusal to receive a sign</b> – Achaz's refusal to ask for a sign betrayed his lack of belief in Hashem's aid, clarifying to Yeshayahu that Achaz had no intention of heeding his advice to trust in God and not seek foreign assistance ("הִשָּׁמֵר וְהַשְׁקֵט").</point> | <point><b>Refusal to receive a sign</b> – Achaz's refusal to ask for a sign betrayed his lack of belief in Hashem's aid, clarifying to Yeshayahu that Achaz had no intention of heeding his advice to trust in God and not seek foreign assistance ("הִשָּׁמֵר וְהַשְׁקֵט").</point> | ||
<point><b>The sign: Emanuel</b> – Shadal claims that due to Achaz' refusal to ask for a sign, Yeshayahu gave him one which did not suffice to calm his fears.  Since the birth of Emanuel was not to be immediate, Achaz was left to his worries.  This ensured that he continued on the path he had set for himself, bribing Assyria to fight against his enemies (See <a href="MelakhimII16-1-9" data-aht="source">Melakhim II 16:8-9</a> and <a href="DivreiHaYamimII28-1-22" data-aht="source">Divrei HaYamim II 28:16</a>)</point> | <point><b>The sign: Emanuel</b> – Shadal claims that due to Achaz' refusal to ask for a sign, Yeshayahu gave him one which did not suffice to calm his fears.  Since the birth of Emanuel was not to be immediate, Achaz was left to his worries.  This ensured that he continued on the path he had set for himself, bribing Assyria to fight against his enemies (See <a href="MelakhimII16-1-9" data-aht="source">Melakhim II 16:8-9</a> and <a href="DivreiHaYamimII28-1-22" data-aht="source">Divrei HaYamim II 28:16</a>)</point> | ||
− | <point><b>"יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ... אֵת מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר"</b> – According to these sources, the words "יָבִיא י"י <b>עָלֶיךָ</b>" imply that Assyria will attack Yehuda itself. After telling Achaz about the fall of Aram and Israel, Yeshayahu warns Achaz that the very kingdom which he hoped would help him, will eventually turn on him and devastate his country. | + | <point><b>"יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ... אֵת מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר"</b> – According to these sources, the words "יָבִיא י"י <b>עָלֶיךָ</b>" imply that Assyria will attack Yehuda itself. After telling Achaz about the fall of Aram and Israel, Yeshayahu warns Achaz that the very kingdom which he hoped would help him, will eventually turn on him and devastate his country.<br/> |
+ | <ul> | ||
+ | <li>As <a href="DivreiHaYamimII28-1-22" data-aht="source">Divrei HaYamim</a> shares, "וַיָּבֹא עָלָיו תִּלְּגַת פִּלְנְאֶסֶר מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר וַיָּצַר לוֹ וְלֹא חֲזָקוֹ".‎<fn>R"E of Beaugency assumes that Yeshayahu is referring to Sancheriv's campaign against Yehuda in the time of Chizkiyahu rather than Tiglat Pileser's attack on Achaz.</fn></li> | ||
+ | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>Biblical and historical parallels</b> – Elsewhere in Tanakh, as well, there are similar warnings that seeking foreign aid rather than trusting in Hashem will result in catastrophe:<br/> | <point><b>Biblical and historical parallels</b> – Elsewhere in Tanakh, as well, there are similar warnings that seeking foreign aid rather than trusting in Hashem will result in catastrophe:<br/> | ||
<ul> | <ul> |
Version as of 08:00, 31 August 2018
Prophecy of Calamity or Consolation?
Exegetical Approaches
Consolation
Yeshayahu's words constitute a prophecy of consolation and encouragement. This approach subdivides regarding the event about which Achaz is being comforted:
The Aramean-Israelite Threat
All of Yeshayahu's words relate to the threat posed by the Aramean-Israelite alliance. Yeshayahu tells Achaz that he need not worry since both countries are soon to be destroyed by Assyria.
Both the Aramean-Israelite and the Assyrian Threat
Yeshayahu tells Achaz that he has nothing to fear from Aram and Israel, since Assyria is soon to ravage both countries. Though Assyria will invade Yehuda as well, Yehuda will survive and Sancheriv's army will be defeated.
Rebuke
Yeshayahu's words constitute a rebuke to Achaz for not trusting in Hashem's promise that He will aid Yehuda. As punishment for seeking human assistance, Achaz is told that Assyria will smite not only Aram and Israel, but Yehuda as well.
- As Divrei HaYamim shares, "וַיָּבֹא עָלָיו תִּלְּגַת פִּלְנְאֶסֶר מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר וַיָּצַר לוֹ וְלֹא חֲזָקוֹ".3
- In Divrei HaYamim II 16, when Asa seeks Aram's help against Basha, he is rebuked by the prophet Chanani, "בְּהִשָּׁעֶנְךָ עַל מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם וְלֹא נִשְׁעַנְתָּ עַל י"י אֱלֹהֶיךָ עַל כֵּן נִמְלַט חֵיל מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם מִיָּדֶךָ".
- Chizkiyahu's showing of his treasures to Merodakh Baladan of Bavel has been understood as an attempt to join an alliance against Assyria. Yeshayahu reacts in anger, warning Chizkiyahu, "הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים וְנִשָּׂא כׇּל אֲשֶׁר בְּבֵיתֶךָ וַאֲשֶׁר אָצְרוּ אֲבֹתֶיךָ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה בָּבֶלָה".4
- In Second Temple Times