Difference between revisions of "Yeshayahu's Mission in Chapter 6/2"
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<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li><b>Relayed later</b> – Shadal posits that though Chapter 6 was the first prophecy that Yeshayahu received, it was only relayed later, after the prophecies of Chapters 2-5.</li> | <li><b>Relayed later</b> – Shadal posits that though Chapter 6 was the first prophecy that Yeshayahu received, it was only relayed later, after the prophecies of Chapters 2-5.</li> | ||
| − | <li><b>Thematic order preferred</b> – Alternatively, it is possible that thematic order | + | <li><b>Thematic order preferred</b> – Alternatively, it is possible that thematic order takes precedence over chronological order. Chapters 1-5 describe the nation's sins, while Chapter 6 (through12) focus on their punishment. When speaking to his contemporaries, Yeshayahu could open with a prophecy of doom, since they were well aware of their misdeeds.  Yet, when ordering his prophecies for future generations, it made sense for the prophet to begin with the nation's sins, giving the reader background to understand why the decree of destruction was deserved.</li> |
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>"בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ"</b> – Since Yeshayahu 1 opens by sharing that Yeshayahu prophesied in the reigns of Uziyahu, Yotam, Achaz and Chizkiyahu, some question how this could be true if Yeshayahu was first initiated into prophecy with Uziyahu's death.  These commentators offer various solutions to the problem:<br/> | <point><b>"בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ"</b> – Since Yeshayahu 1 opens by sharing that Yeshayahu prophesied in the reigns of Uziyahu, Yotam, Achaz and Chizkiyahu, some question how this could be true if Yeshayahu was first initiated into prophecy with Uziyahu's death.  These commentators offer various solutions to the problem:<br/> | ||
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<li>Rashi and the Rid suggest that the phrase "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ" refers to the year when Uziyahu was struck with <i>tzara'at</i> and metaphorically died, rather than to the year of his actual death. As such, Yeshayahu was initiated in the middle of Uziyahu's reign and prophesied for several years before his death.</li> | <li>Rashi and the Rid suggest that the phrase "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ" refers to the year when Uziyahu was struck with <i>tzara'at</i> and metaphorically died, rather than to the year of his actual death. As such, Yeshayahu was initiated in the middle of Uziyahu's reign and prophesied for several years before his death.</li> | ||
<li>Ibn Ezra, instead, clarifies that the verse speaks of the <b>year </b>(and not the day) of Uziyahu's death, which allows for several months worth of prophecies.</li> | <li>Ibn Ezra, instead, clarifies that the verse speaks of the <b>year </b>(and not the day) of Uziyahu's death, which allows for several months worth of prophecies.</li> | ||
| − | <li>Finally, Shadal asserts that the opening "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ" refers to the date that Yeshayhau relayed the prophecy, not the year in which he received it.<fn>This, however is somewhat difficult considering the continuation of the verse, "וָאֶרְאֶה אֶת אֲדֹנָי יֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא רָם וְנִשָּׂא" from which it sounds that the date refers the receiving of the vision. | + | <li>Finally, Shadal asserts that the opening "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ" refers to the date that Yeshayhau relayed the prophecy, not to the year in which he received it.<fn>This, however is somewhat difficult considering the continuation of the verse, "וָאֶרְאֶה אֶת אֲדֹנָי יֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא רָם וְנִשָּׂא" from which it sounds that the date refers to the receiving of the vision.</fn></li> |
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
| + | <point><b>Vision of Hashem</b> – Since this is Yeshyahu's first prophecy it is logical why he merits a vision of Hashem.  This is comparable to the opening prophecy of Yechezkel who also sees "מַרְאוֹת אֱלֹהִים".</point> | ||
| + | <point><b>"...אוֹי לִי כִי נִדְמֵיתִי"</b></point> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
<category>Unique Mission | <category>Unique Mission | ||
Version as of 01:25, 23 July 2018
Yeshayahu's Mission in Chapter 6
Exegetical Approaches
Initiation to Prophecy
The chapter describes Yeshayahu's appointment where he was prepared for and received his prophetic mission.
"אֶת מִי אֶשְׁלַח... וָאֹמַר הִנְנִי שְׁלָחֵנִי" – Rashi and the Rid point to these words as proof that the chapter speaks of Yeshayahu's appointment as prophet.
Chronology of the chapters – This position assumes that the book is achronological and must explain why Chapter 6 does not open the book:
- Relayed later – Shadal posits that though Chapter 6 was the first prophecy that Yeshayahu received, it was only relayed later, after the prophecies of Chapters 2-5.
- Thematic order preferred – Alternatively, it is possible that thematic order takes precedence over chronological order. Chapters 1-5 describe the nation's sins, while Chapter 6 (through12) focus on their punishment. When speaking to his contemporaries, Yeshayahu could open with a prophecy of doom, since they were well aware of their misdeeds. Yet, when ordering his prophecies for future generations, it made sense for the prophet to begin with the nation's sins, giving the reader background to understand why the decree of destruction was deserved.
"בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ" – Since Yeshayahu 1 opens by sharing that Yeshayahu prophesied in the reigns of Uziyahu, Yotam, Achaz and Chizkiyahu, some question how this could be true if Yeshayahu was first initiated into prophecy with Uziyahu's death. These commentators offer various solutions to the problem:
- Rashi and the Rid suggest that the phrase "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ" refers to the year when Uziyahu was struck with tzara'at and metaphorically died, rather than to the year of his actual death. As such, Yeshayahu was initiated in the middle of Uziyahu's reign and prophesied for several years before his death.
- Ibn Ezra, instead, clarifies that the verse speaks of the year (and not the day) of Uziyahu's death, which allows for several months worth of prophecies.
- Finally, Shadal asserts that the opening "בִּשְׁנַת מוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ עֻזִּיָּהוּ" refers to the date that Yeshayhau relayed the prophecy, not to the year in which he received it.1
Vision of Hashem – Since this is Yeshyahu's first prophecy it is logical why he merits a vision of Hashem. This is comparable to the opening prophecy of Yechezkel who also sees "מַרְאוֹת אֱלֹהִים".
"...אוֹי לִי כִי נִדְמֵיתִי"
