The Return of YHWH : The Tension Between Deliverance and Repentance in Isaiah 40–55

The theology of Isaiah 40-55 has two seemingly contradictory aspects: the tension between the consolatory message of deliverance, and the harsh tone of accusation and the call to repentance. This study argues that such tension does not necessarily disclose a different authorship, but that it expresses the basic nature of the relationship between YHWH and the Israelites, in which the actions of YHWH and the actions of the people stand in a relationship of interdependence. Such interdependence is essential for the re-establishment and the continued existence of the relationship between YHWH and his people, as well as for shaping the identity of both the exiled and the non-exiled Israelite communities in the latter part of the sixth century B.C.E. Introduction The subject of this investigation The historical context Redaction Procedure Definition of concepts The history of research The call to repentance Sin and repentance in Isaiah 40-50 Studies that refer to the sins of the past Studies that refer to the sins of the present Sin, repentance and transformation Accusations against the Israelites Isaiah 43:22-28 Isaiah 46:8-13 Isaiah 46:8-11 Isaiah 46:12-13 Isaiah 48:1-11 Isaiah 50:1-3 The calls to repentance Isaiah 44:21 Isaiah 55:6-7 Repentance in Isaiah 55 Repentance and deliverance in Isaiah 55 The function of transformation The idol-worshippers Idol-fabrication texts Isaiah 40:19-20 Isaiah 41:6-7 Isaiah 44:9-20 Isaiah 46:6-7 The charges against the nations The idol-worshippers : the nations or the Israelites? Jeremiah and Eekiel Jeremiah Calls to repentance Jeemiah 3 The transformation texts Ezekiel The calls to repentance The transformation texts Jeremiah, Eekiel and deutero-Iaiah Deliverance and repentance The concept of sin The explicit formulations The implicit statements The concept of repentance The concept of deliverance - The relationship between deliverance and repentance The return of YHWH The tension as a theological challenge.

The series Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft (BZAW) covers all areas of research into the Old Testament, focusing on the Hebrew Bible, its early and later forms in Ancient Judaism, as well as its branching into many neighboring cultures of the Ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman world.

BZAW welcomes submissions that make an original and significant contribution to the field; demonstrate sophisticated engagement with the relevant secondary literature; and are written in readable, logical, and engaging prose.

Frontmatter 1 Contents 9 Abbreviations 13 1. Introduction 17 2. The History of Research 33 3. Sin, Repentance and Transformation 48 4. The Idol-Worshippers 98 5. Jeremiah and Ezekiel 121 6. Deliverance and Repentance 140 Backmatter 165