Prophecy to Achaz – Calamity or Consolation/2

Prophecy of Calamity or Consolation?

Exegetical Approaches

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Consolation

Yeshayahu's words constitute a prophecy of consolation and encouragement.  This approach subdivides regarding the event about which Achaz is being comforted:

Only 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.

Sources:A. Chakham¹

Single message – One of the advantages of this approach is that it presents Yeshayahu as speaking about but one issue, with one unified message, throughout the chapter.  Everything the prophet says relates to the downfall of Aram and Israel.

"Butter and honey" – In both verses 15 and 21, the eating of "fat and honey" is considered a blessing.  After Aram and Israel are defeated, the cattle will give forth so much milk that butter will be made from the leftovers.  The positive reading of the image is supported by its similarity to the phrase "אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ", which alwasy ahas a positive ocnnottaion in Tankh.

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.

Sources:Ibn Balaam, RashiYeshayahu 7:15-25About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki,  Ibn EzraYeshayahu 7:15-25About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RadakYeshayahu 7:15-25About R. David Kimchi, Abarbanel

Rebuke

Yeshayahu's words constitute a rebuke to Achaz for not trusting in Hashem's promise that He will aid Yehuda. Achaz is told that, as a punishment, Assyria will smite not only Aram and Israel, but Yehuda as well.

Sources:R. Yosef KaraYeshayahu 7:15-25About R. Yosef Kara, R. Eliezer of BeaugencyYeshayahu 7:15-25About R. Eliezer of Beaugency, ShadalYeshayahu 7 IntroductionYeshayahu 7:12Yeshayahu 7:15-25About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto, MalbimYeshayahu Beur HaInyan 7:15-25About R. Meir Leibush Weiser

¹ A. Chakham, Da'at Mikra Commentary to Sefer Yeshayahu (Jerusalem, 1984): 83-87. A. Chakham brings two readings for the unit, one in which he reads all the verses as being consolation, and one in which he reads them as rebuke.