Difference between revisions of "Prophecy to Achaz – Calamity or Consolation/2"
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<point><b>Single message</b> – One of the advantages of this approach is that it presents Yeshayahu as speaking about only one issue, with one unified message, throughout the chapter.  Everything the prophet says relates to the downfall of Aram and Israel.</point> | <point><b>Single message</b> – One of the advantages of this approach is that it presents Yeshayahu as speaking about only one issue, with one unified message, throughout the chapter.  Everything the prophet says relates to the downfall of Aram and Israel.</point> | ||
<point><b>Anger regarding the sign</b> – According to this approach, despite Yeshayahu's anger at Achaz for refusing a Divine sign, the prophet continues to promise Hashem's aid and encourage the king that he has nothing to fear from his enemies.</point> | <point><b>Anger regarding the sign</b> – According to this approach, despite Yeshayahu's anger at Achaz for refusing a Divine sign, the prophet continues to promise Hashem's aid and encourage the king that he has nothing to fear from his enemies.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>"יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ... יָמִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא בָאוּ לְמִיּוֹם סוּר אֶפְרַיִם מֵעַל יְהוּדָה"</b> – The words "יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ" need not connote that calamity is to befall Yehuda; the term might also relate to good tidings.<fn>See, for | + | <point><b>"יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ... יָמִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא בָאוּ לְמִיּוֹם סוּר אֶפְרַיִם מֵעַל יְהוּדָה"</b> – The words "יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ" need not connote that calamity is to befall Yehuda; the term might also relate to good tidings.<fn>See, for instance,</fn> If so, Yeshayahu might be prophesying that with the fall of Israel,<fn>Even though the Northern Kingdom is ot totally exiled in this period, it is the beginning of the end.</fn> the state of the nation would revert to what it had been before the split of the kingdom<fn>If so, the phrase, "לְמִיּוֹם סוּר אֶפְרַיִם מֵעַל יְהוּדָה" means: from the days [before] Ephraim separated from Yehuda.</fn> when there was just one monarch, who ruled over the entire country. This might reflect hopes that Chizkiyahu was to revive the Davidic dynasty of old and be a Messianic type of figure.<fn>Alternatively, Yeshayahu is simply sharing that tumultuous events are to occur which Yehuda will be witness to and affected by. Assyria is to decimate and exile Ephraim, an event which will be similar in gravity to the split of the kingdom (even if it won't bring full control back to Yehuda).</fn></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>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> – According to this position, the words "בְּמֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר" serve to identify the "תַעַר הַשְּׂכִירָה".  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 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>"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> |
Version as of 08:29, 2 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.
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.
- Tiglat Pilesser's invasion – According to Shadal, Yeshayahu is speaking of Tiglat Pilesser himself, who attacked Yehuda as well: As Divrei HaYamim shares, "וַיָּבֹא עָלָיו תִּלְּגַת פִּלְנְאֶסֶר מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר וַיָּצַר לוֹ וְלֹא חֲזָקוֹ".7
- Sancheriv's campaign
- 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".8
- In Second Temple Times