Concentricity and Continuity

The Literary Structure of Isaiah

Robert H. O’Connell

Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

Supplement Series 188

Copyright © 1994 Sheffield Academic Press

Published by

Sheffield Academic Press Ltd

Mansion House

19 Kingfield Road

Sheffield, S11 9AS

England

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 1-85075-521-3

תִּכְרַע כָּל־בֶּרֶךְ

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

The Need for This Study

Procedure and Methodology Used in This Study

Complex Frameworking in Isaiah

Limitations and Objectives of This Study

Chapter 1

Isaiah 1:1–2:5: Cameo of a Covenant Disputation

Structural Delineation of Isaiah 1:1–2:5

Covenant Disputation Pattern and Complex Frameworking in Isaiah 1:1–2:5

Persuasion as a Function of Structure in Isaiah 1:1–2:5

Covenant Disputation Pattern and the Continuity of Isaiah 1:1–2:5 with its Context

Chapter 2

Isaiah 2:6–22: Threat of Judgment on Idolaters

Structural Delineation of Isaiah 2:6–22

Complex Frameworking in Isaiah 2:6aγ–21

Persuasion as a Function of Structure in Isaiah 2:6aγ–21

The Continuity of Isaiah 2:6–22 with its Context

Chapter 3

Isaiah 3:1–4:1: Threat of Judgment on the Unjust

Structural Delineation of Isaiah 3:1–4:1

Complex Frameworking in Isaiah 3:1–4:1

Persuasion as a Function of Structure in Isaiah 3:1–4:1

The Continuity of Isaiah 3:1–4:1 with its Context

Chapter 4

Isaiah 4:2–12:6: The Syro-Ephraimite-Assyrian Scheme for Zion’s Judgment and Restoration

Structural Delineation of Isaiah 4:2–12:6

Asymmetrical Concentricity in Isaiah 4:2–11:16

Complex Frameworking in Isaiah 4:2–11:16

Selected Substructural Complexes in Isaiah 4:2–11:16

Persuasion as a Function of Structure in Isaiah 4:2–11:16

The Continuity of Isaiah 4:2–12:6 with its Context

Chapter 5

Isaiah 13:1–39:8: The Assyrian-Babylonian Scheme for Zion’s Judgment and Restoration

Structural Delineation of Isaiah 13:1–39:8

Asymmetrical Concentricity in Isaiah 13:1–39:8

Complex Frameworking in Isaiah 13:1–39:8

Selected Substructural Complexes in Isaiah 13:1–39:8

Persuasion as a Function of Structure in Isaiah 13:1–39:8

The Continuity of Isaiah 13:1–39:8 with its Context

Chapter 6

Isaiah 40:1–54:17: Yhwh’s Exoneration

Structural Delineation of Isaiah 40:1–54:17

Complex Frameworking in Isaiah 40:1–54:17

Selected Substructural Complexes in Isaiah 40:1–54:17

Persuasion as a Function of Structure in Isaiah 40:1–54:17

The Continuity of Isaiah 40:1–54:17 with its Context

Chapter 7

Isaiah 55:1–66:24: Final Ultimatum

Structural Delineation of Isaiah 55:1–66:24

Asymmetrical Concentricity in Isaiah 55:1–66:24

Substructural Complexes in Isaiah 55:1–66:24

Persuasion as a Function of Structure in Isaiah 55:1–66:24

The Continuity of Isaiah 55:1–66:24 with its Context

Conclusion

The Literary Structure of Isaiah

Literary Networking in the Light of the Literary Structure of Isaiah

Genre Competence in the Light of Isaiah’s Literary Form

The Message of Isaiah in ...

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About Concentricity and Continuity: The Literary Structure of Isaiah

This monograph explores the structure and rhetoric of the book of Isaiah. Its thesis is twofold. First, the book of Isaiah best manifests its structural unity, thematic coherence, and rhetorical emphasis when read as an exemplar of prophetic covenant disputation. Second, the principal arrangement of the book comprises seven asymmetrical concentric sections, each made up of complex (triadic and quadratic) framing patterns. They are: an exordium (1:1, 2–5), two threats of judgment (2:6–21; 3:1–4:1), two programs for the punishment and restoration of Zion and the nations (4:2–11:16; 13:1–39:8), an exoneration of Yahweh (40:1–54:17), and an appeal for covenant reconciliation (55:1–66:24).

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