Difference between revisions of "Prophecy to Achaz – Calamity or Consolation/2"
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<point><b>"Butter and honey"</b> – This approach could read the two appearances of the image in one of two ways:<br/> | <point><b>"Butter and honey"</b> – This approach could read the two appearances of the image in one of two ways:<br/> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
− | <li><b>Blessing of prosperity</b> – In both verses 15 and 22, the eating of "butter and honey" is a metaphor for blessings which will benefit Yehuda.  Yeshayahu declares that after Aram and Israel are defeated, the cattle of the Judeans<fn>The fact that the verse describes those who eat from the milk as "כׇּל הַנּוֹתָר בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ" is somewhat difficult for this approach | + | <li><b>Blessing of prosperity</b> – In both verses 15 and 22, the eating of "butter and honey" is a metaphor for blessings which will benefit Yehuda.  Yeshayahu declares that after Aram and Israel are defeated, there will be a period of prosperity and the cattle of the Judeans<fn>The fact that the verse describes those who eat from the milk as "כׇּל הַנּוֹתָר בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ" is somewhat difficult for this approach.  There is no reason to describe the Judeans as "a remnant" if the entire prophecy is one of consolation and reassurance that they are not to be attacked by Aram and Israel.</fn> 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. </li> |
− | <li><b>Prosperity and desolation</b> – Alternatively, while the image in verse 15 connotes blessing, in verse 22 the excessive butter signifies the desolation in Aram and Israel. Yeshayahu tells Achaz that due to the Assyrian invasion, all agricultural produce in his enemies' countries will be ruined, so that | + | <li><b>Prosperity and desolation</b> – Alternatively, while the image in verse 15 connotes blessing, in verse 22 the excessive butter signifies the desolation in Aram and Israel. Yeshayahu tells Achaz that due to the Assyrian invasion, all agricultural produce in his enemies' countries will be ruined, so that any survivors will have only milk to consume.<fn>An advantage of this approach is that it presents everything in verses 18-25 as referring to the destruction which will take place in Aram and Israel. The "land" spoken of in verse 22 is identical with that mentioned in verse 24.  [According to the first possibility brought, in contrast, one verse speaks of the land of Yehuda and one of the lands of Aram and Israel.]</fn> The prophet might intentionally use the same image in contrasting ways because the desolation brought to Yehuda's enemies is what will allow Achaz' own land to thrive.</li> |
</ul></point> | </ul></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. This would fit with Yeshayahu's earlier promise to Achaz in verse 15: "כִּי בְּטֶרֶם יֵדַע הַנַּעַר מָאֹס בָּרָע וּבָחֹר בַּטּוֹב <b>תֵּעָזֵב הָאֲדָמָה</b> אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה קָץ מִפְּנֵי שְׁנֵי מְלָכֶיהָ".‎<fn>According to this reading " תֵּעָזֵב הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה קָץ מִפְּנֵי שְׁנֵי מְלָכֶיהָ" means that the lands of the kings who are distressing Achaz will be barren, and not that the two kings will leave the land of Yehuda.</fn></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. This would fit with Yeshayahu's earlier promise to Achaz in verse 15: "כִּי בְּטֶרֶם יֵדַע הַנַּעַר מָאֹס בָּרָע וּבָחֹר בַּטּוֹב <b>תֵּעָזֵב הָאֲדָמָה</b> אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה קָץ מִפְּנֵי שְׁנֵי מְלָכֶיהָ".‎<fn>According to this reading " תֵּעָזֵב הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה קָץ מִפְּנֵי שְׁנֵי מְלָכֶיהָ" means that the lands of the kings who are distressing Achaz will be barren, and not that the two kings will leave the land of Yehuda.</fn></point> |
Version as of 07:32, 4 September 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.
- Blessing of prosperity – In both verses 15 and 22, the eating of "butter and honey" is a metaphor for blessings which will benefit Yehuda. Yeshayahu declares that after Aram and Israel are defeated, there will be a period of prosperity and the cattle of the Judeans8 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.
- Prosperity and desolation – Alternatively, while the image in verse 15 connotes blessing, in verse 22 the excessive butter signifies the desolation in Aram and Israel. Yeshayahu tells Achaz that due to the Assyrian invasion, all agricultural produce in his enemies' countries will be ruined, so that any survivors will have only milk to consume.9 The prophet might intentionally use the same image in contrasting ways because the desolation brought to Yehuda's enemies is what will allow Achaz' own land to thrive.
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.
- Radak suggests to read verses 23-24 as if inverted: all the sites which today are full of bramble, and to which one will only approach with bow and arrow, will be filled with valuable vines.13
- Abarbanel, in contrast, asserts that verses 23-24 depict the situation during Sancheriv's campaign, while verse 25 represents the promise of what will happen in its aftermath.14 At that point, even the hilly lands will be worked, and there will be no fear of overgrowth or thorns (לֹא תָבוֹא שָׁמָּה יִרְאַת שָׁמִיר וָשָׁיִת).15 Due to the peaceful climate, the areas will be open to roaming oxen and sheep.16
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.
- Tiglat Pilesser's invasion – According to Shadal, Yeshayahu is speaking of Tiglat Pilesser, who attacked not only Aram and Israel but Yehuda as well. As Divrei HaYamim shares, "וַיָּבֹא עָלָיו תִּלְּגַת פִּלְנְאֶסֶר מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר וַיָּצַר לוֹ וְלֹא חֲזָקוֹ".
- Sancheriv's campaign – R"E of Beaugency, in contrast, assumes that Yeshayahu is referring to Sancheriv's campaign against Yehuda in the time of Chizkiyahu. The prophet speaks of a future rather than immediate punishment.18
- Turning to Aram – The closest parallel to our chapter is Divrei HaYamim II 16. Asa seeks Aram's help against Basha and is rebuked by the prophet Chanani, "בְּהִשָּׁעֶנְךָ עַל מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם וְלֹא נִשְׁעַנְתָּ עַל י"י אֱלֹהֶיךָ עַל כֵּן נִמְלַט חֵיל מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם מִיָּדֶךָ".19
- Turning to Egypt – Yeshayahu speaks out against going to Egypt for aid in Yeshayahu 20 and Yeshayahu 31:1-3, promising "וּמִצְרַיִם אָדָם וְלֹא אֵל וְסוּסֵיהֶם בָּשָׂר וְלֹא רוּחַ וַי"י יַטֶּה יָדוֹ וְכָשַׁל עוֹזֵר וְנָפַל עָזֻר וְיַחְדָּו כֻּלָּם יִכְלָיוּן".
- Turning to Bavel – Chizkiyahu's showing of his treasures to Merodakh Baladan of Bavel has been understood as an attempt to join an alliance against Assyria.20 Yeshayahu reacts in anger, warning Chizkiyahu, "הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים וְנִשָּׂא כׇּל אֲשֶׁר בְּבֵיתֶךָ וַאֲשֶׁר אָצְרוּ אֲבֹתֶיךָ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה בָּבֶלָה".
- Era of Achaz – Chizkiyahu says of his father's reign: "וַיְהִי קֶצֶף י"י עַל יְהוּדָה וִירוּשָׁלִָם וַיִּתְּנֵם [לְזַעֲוָה] (לזועה) לְשַׁמָּה וְלִשְׁרֵקָה" (Divrei haYamim II 29:8), parallel tot he description of "לַשָּׁמִיר וְלַשַּׁיִת יִהְיֶה" mentioned here.
- Era of Chizkiyahu – Sancheriv campaigned throughout Yehuda so it is natural that, in his wake, the land would be barren. Many suggest that Yeshayahu's words in Chapter1:7 refer to the aftermath of his attack: "אַרְצְכֶם שְׁמָמָה עָרֵיכֶם שְׂרֻפוֹת אֵשׁ אַדְמַתְכֶם לְנֶגְדְּכֶם זָרִים אֹכְלִים אֹתָהּ וּשְׁמָמָה כְּמַהְפֵּכַת זָרִים".27