Recent research on the book of Isaiah has been dominated by discussions of its unity and authorship. Professor Williamson's important study provides a major and highly original contribution to these key issues, and is based upon a more rigorous methodology than ever used before. Isaiah is usually regarded as the work of two authors - the so-called Isaiah of Jerusalem (Isaiah 1-39) and Deutero-Isaiah (the author of Isaiah 40-55). Professor Williamson argues that the author of Isaiah 40-55was in fact strongly influenced by the work of the earlier writer. Secondly, he demonstrates that the earlier work was regarded as a book which had been sealed up until the time when judgement was past and the day of salvation had arrived, and that Deutero-Isaiah believed himself to be heralding the arrival of that day. Thirdly, and most provocatively, Professor Williamson argues that Deutero-Isaiah both included and edited a version of the earlier prophecies along with his own, intending fromthe start that they should be read togather as a complete whole. This innovative and scholarly work, which sheds much new light on some of the more neglected passages, has had significant implications for future work on this much-loved prophetic book.

Most of us know the messages delivered by the prophet Isaiah, but do we know the story behind the man? Raised in the king's palace, Isaiah, unlike other prophets, was given a unique perspective to counsel kings and foretell the coming of the King of Kings. His family relationships most likely created an internal conflict for him as he delivered the difficult messages Jehovah God had for His people and their kings. Long before Isaiah ever knew the events that would unfold in his life, God had been at work in him to mold and shape him into a man to whom He could entrust this extraordinary assignment. But don't lose sight that Isaiah was a flawed ordinary man placed in God-ordered circumstances to be a follower through whom God would accomplish extraordinary things. Through this novella, you'll discover the heart and character of the prophet called to proclaim the promise of the coming Messiah.

What should we make of the sprawling and puzzling book of Isaiah—so layered and complex in its composition? John Goldingay helps us see, hear and understand the grandeur of this prophetic masterpiece among the Prophets as both separate parts and as a whole, clearly tied together with unifying themes.

In this lucid study, Berges interprets the scroll of Isaiah as a 'literal cathedral', written by many hands and empowered by the experience of sorrow and disaster, liberation and joy. Methodologically, the book combines synchronic and diachronic perspectives and paves the way to a fruitful conversation between them. The vast reception history of the Book of Isaiah in the Septuagint, the New Testament, and in rabbinic and Christian traditions, as well as in painting and music, is also illustrated by some of the most illuminating examples.

Preliminary material /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Introductory Statement /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Chapter One: The Biblical Term \'Servant\' in Relation to the Lord /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Chapter Two: The So-Called \'Servant of the Lord\' Sections in Second Isaiah /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Chapter Three: The So-Called \'Suffering Servant\' and \'Vicarious Sufferer\' in Isaiah 52-53 /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Chapter Four: The Identity of the \'Servant\' in Second Isaiah /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Appendix /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Conclusions /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Bibliography /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Index of Biblical and Other References /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Index of Authors and Subjects /Harry M. Orlinsky -- Isaiah 40-66: A Study of the Teaching of the Second Isaiah and its Consequences /Norman H. Snaith -- Introduction /Norman H. Snaith -- Chapter One: Isaiah 40-55 and 60-62 /Norman H. Snaith -- Chapter Two: The Prophet of the Return /Norman H. Snaith -- Chapter Three: The Nationalist /Norman H. Snaith -- Chapter Four: The Servant of the Lord /Norman H. Snaith -- Chapter Five: Exegesis of Isaiah 40-55, 60-62 /Norman H. Snaith -- Chapter Six: Jesus the Servant of the Lord /Norman H. Snaith -- Chapter Seven: Exegesis of Chapters 56-66 /Norman H. Snaith -- Chapter Eight: Jerusalem from 538 B.C. To 397 B.C. /Norman H. Snaith -- Index of Biblical References /Norman H. Snaith.

This all-purpose commentary is by the author of 'The Suffering Servant in Deutero-Isaiah'. It meets the needs of the specialist but most of it should be intelligible to preachers and teachers who know little or no Hebrew. The Introduction discusses the literary structure of the prophecy, the theology of Deutero-Isaiah (with some reference to current theological debate), and the problem of Salvation History. The exegetical notes are based on the author's own translation from the Hebrew text. The purpose of the book is to elucidate the message of the Prophet in the context of Scripture as a whole.