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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
The Structural Design of Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66
Please read the Introduction to Isaiah
Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 Prophecies concerning restoration in postexilic Palestine
Like the six preceding segments of the book of Isaiah, Segment VII is a numerical composition governed from beginning to end by the divine name numbers 17 and 26. It opens with two divine speeches consisting of 26 words each (56,1-2.4-5), which is indicative of the crucial role of divine speech. It ends with 17 words (66,24).
Moreover, 135 of the 192 verses (70%) and 1744 of the 2697 words (65%) are highlighted by 17 and 26.
The following major passages are highlighted in this way:
Part II (57,1-21, §§5-9) is made up of 260 words.
Part III (58,1-14, §§10-13) is made up of 222=34(2x17)+119(7x17)+17+52(2x26) words.
Part IV (59,1-21, §§14-17) is made up of 284=104(4x26)+78(3x26)+51(3x17)+51(3x17) words.
Part V (60,8-16, §§20-21) is made up of 119 (7x17) words.
Part V (60,17-21) is made up of 78 (3x26) words.
Part VI (61,1-9, §23) is made up of 130 (5x26) words.
Part VII (62,2-9, §25) is made up of 119 (7x17) words.
Part VIII (63,2-6, §§27-28) is made up of 51 (3x17) words.
Part VIII (63,7-19, §29) is made up of 170 words.
Part VIII (64,6-11, §31) is made up of 68 (4x17) words.
Part IX (65,13-19, §34) is made up of 104 (4x26) words.
Part X (66,15-21, §40) is made up of 119 (7x17) words.
Selected smaller crucial passages highlighted by 17 and 26 1. YHWH sets the conditions for the restored community to live happily (56,1-2): 26 words. 2. YHWH’s promise to eunuchs and foreigners keeping the sabbath (56,4-7): 68 (4x17) words. 3. YHWH warns the people against social apathy and idolatry (57,1-7): 85 (5x17) words. 4. YHWH promises peace to the righteous; there is no peace for the wicked (57,18-21): 34 (2x17) words. 5. The people confess their sins and transgressions (59,9-14): 78 (3x26) words. 6. YHWH decides to act and punish his adversaries (59,15-18): 51 (3x17) words. 7. YHWH will come as Redeemer for the penitent (59,19-21): 51 (3x17) words. 8. The nations will rebuild Jerusalem as the city of God (60,8-16): 119 (7x17) words. 9. YHWH will establish a peaceful and righteous society (60,17-21): 78 (3x26) words. 10. The nations will acknowledge Israel as God’s people (61,1-9): 130 (5x26) words. 11. Jerusalem will rejoice in YHWH who brings justice (62,2-9): 119 (7x17) words. 12. All by himself YHWH has punished the nations (63,2-6): 51 (3x17) words. 13. The prophet implores YHWH to intervene (63,15-64,2): 85 (5x17) words. 14. The prophet prays for forgiveness for his people (64,6-11): 68 (4x17) words. 15. YHWH will repay his rebellious people their sins (65,2-7): 78 (3x26) words. 16. YHWH’s servants will fare well; the disloyal will not (65,13-19): 104 (4x26) words. 17. YHWH will execute justice by fire and the sword (66,15-21): 119 (7x17) words.
The Compositional structure of Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66: twelve different divisions C. WESTERMANN (Das Buch Jesaja, Kapitel 40-66, ATD 19, 1966): 56,1-2; 56,3-8; 56,9-12; 57,1-2; 57,3-6; 57,7-13; 57,14-21; 58,1-12; 58,13-14; 59,1-21; 60,1-22; 61,1-3; 61,4-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-7; 65,8-16a; 65,16b-25; 66,1-4; 66,5; 66,6-16; 66,17; 66,18-24.
W. KESSLER (Gott geht es um das Ganze, Jesaja 56-66 und 24-27, Die Botschafte des Alten Testaments 19, 1967): 56,1-8 | 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-21 | 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12 | 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; | 65,1-25; 66,1-4; 66,5-15; 66,16-24.
A. SCHOORS (Jesaja, BOT, 9A/B, 1972-1973): 56,1-2; 56,3-7; 56,8 | 56,9-12; 57,1-2; 57,3-4; 57,5-11; 57,12-13 | 57,14-21 | 58,1-12; 58,13-14 | 59,1-4; 59,5-8; 59,9-15a; 59,15b-21 | 60,1-3; 60,4-9; 60,10-16; 60,17-22; 61,1-3;
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
61,4-9; 61,10-11; 62,1-3; 62,4-5; 62,6-7; 62,8-9; 62,10-12 | 63,1-6; 63,7-14; 63,15-19a; 63,19b-64,4a; 64,4b-8; 64,9-11 | 65,1-7; 65,8-10; 65,11-12; 65,13-16; 65,17-25; 66,1-4; 66,5; 66,6; 66,7-14; 66,15-16; 66,17; 66,18-24.
H.S. HERBERT (The Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapters 40-66, Cambridge University Press, London etc. 1975): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-21; 60; 61; 62; 63,1-6; 63,7-19; 64,1-11; 65,1-7; 65,8-16; 65,17-25; 66,1-4; 66,5-6; 66,7-18a; 66,18b-24.
W.A.M. BEUKEN (Jesaja, POT deel IIIA, 1989; deel IIIB, 1989): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-21 | 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6 | 63,7-64,11 | 65,1-25; 66,1-6; 66,7-14 | 66,15-24.
J.D.W. WATTS (Isaiah 1-33 and Isaiah 34-66, Word Biblical Commentary 25, 1987): 52,13-57,21; 58,1-14; 59,1-15a; 59,15b-21; 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-7; 62,8-63,6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-16; 65,17-66,5; 66,6-24.
J.L. KOOLE (Isaiah, Part 3, Vol. III: Isaiah 56-66, HCOT, Leuven 2001): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,2; 57,3-13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-21; 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-14; 63,15-64,11; 65,1-7; 65,8-16; 65,17-25; 66,1-4; 66,5-6; 66,7-14; 66,15-24.
B.S. CHILDS (Isaiah: A Commentary, The Old Testament Library, 2001): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-11; 60,1-22; 61,1-11; 62,1-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-66,24.
D.A. DORSEY (The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi, Grand Rapids, 1999): 55,1-56,12; 57,1-21; 58,1-59,21; 60,1-22; 61,1-62,9; 62,10-64,11; 65,1-66,24.
R.N. WHYBRAY (Isaiah 40-66, The New Century Bible Commentary, 1975, 19902): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,14-21;
58,1-14; 59,1-8; 59,9-15a; 59,15b-21; 62,1-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,12; 65,1-25; 66,1-24.
J. BLENKINSOPP (Isaiah 56-66, The Anchor Bible 19B, 2003): 56,1-8; 56,9-12; 57,1-2; 57,3-13; 57,14-21; 58,1-14; 59,1-8; 59,9-15a; 59,15b-20; 59,21; 60,1-22; 61,1-7; 61,8-11; 62,1-5; 62,6-9; 62,10-12; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65,1-7; 65,8-12; 65,13-16; 65,17-25; 66,1-6; 66,7-16; 66,17-24.
P. VAN DER LUGT (A rhetorical analysis of the poems in Isaiah 40-66, to be published in the near future. Private communication, 2014): 56,1-8; 56,9-57,13; 57,15-20; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63,1-6; 63,7-64,11; 65; 66,1-14.
Compositional structure based on content, layout markers, and numerical considerations
Part I: 56,1-12 Who may come to God’s holy mountain?: [] 12 vs; 179 w.
Part II: 57,1-21 The righteous will inherit God’s mountain: S 21 vs; 260 w.
Part III: 58,1-14 The fasting that YHWH demands: S 68 14 vs; 222 w.
Part IV: 59,1-21 A confession of national wickedness: S (4x17) 21 vs; 284 w.
Part V: 60,1-22 YHWH’s promise of a new Jerusalem: S 22 vs; 295 w.
Part VI: 61,1-62,1 Good tidings for the afflicted and brokenhearted: [] 12 vs; 180 w.
Part VII: 62,2-12 The complete restoration of YHWH’s people: S 11 vs; 163 w.
Part VIII: 63-64 YHWH comes as a warrior to fight and to save: S 102 30 vs; 367 w. 728
Part IX: 65,1-25 YHWH will create a new world order: S (6x17) 25 vs; 361 w. (28x26)
Part X: 66,1-24 YHWH’s judgements and Zion’s future hope: Col. 24 vs; 386 w.
Parts I-IV (56-59) constitute a coherent literary entity which is sealed by 68 (4x17) verses. The same applies to Parts VI-X (61-66), which are sealed by 102 (6x17) verses. Being in between Part V (60) stands out in a special way. What is more, it is for the most part an uninterrupted divine speech. Parts VIII and IX (63-65) are closely linked by having altogether 728 (28x26) words.
Division into smaller literary units in terms of content and numerical considerations I: 56,1-2 S; 56,3-5 S; 56,6-9 S; 56,10-12 [].
II: 57,1-7 []: 57,8-10 []; 57,11-14 S; 57,15-17 []; 57,18-21 S.
III: 58,1-2 []; 58,3-10 []; 58,11 []; 58,12-14 S.
IV: 59,1-8 []; 59,9-14 []; 59,15-18 [] 59,19-21 S.
V: 60,1-3 []; 60,4-7 []; 60,8-16 []; 60,17-22 S.
VI: 61,1-9 S; 61,10-62,1 [].
VII: 62,2-9 S; 62,10-12 S.
VIII: 63,1 []; 63,2-6 S; 63,7-19 []; 64,1-5 []; 64,6-11 S.
IX: 65,1-7 S; 65,8-12 P; 65,13-19 []; 65,20-25 S.
X: 66,1-4 S; 66,5-9 S; 66,10-11 []; 66,12-14 []; 66,15-21 []; 66,22-23 []; 66,24 Col.
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
Note the sparse use of layout markers: only 16, which is characteristic of Isaiah 56-66. Most remarkably, the chapters coincide for the most part with the overall structure. The texts in bold face in Column 2 of the table below contain words highlighted by 17 and 26.
Vss Texts Words Lett. Sum words P/S Compositional Structure
Part I: 56,1-12 Who may come to the holy mountain?
1100 Isa 56,1 13 3 10+ 54 368 14247 §1 Preamble to the preaching of the prophet
1101 Isa 56,2 16 16/26 55 14263 S DS 1 “Maintain justice and do what is right!” 26 words.
1102 Isa 56,3 20 71 369-370 14283/49 S This S draws attention to the divine speech in vs. 4-5.
1103 Isa 56,4 14 4 10+ 62 371 14297 §2 The position of eunuchs who keep the sabbath
1104 Isa 56,5 16 16/26 59 14313/30 S DS 2 “A memorial in the temple for eunuchs.” 26 words.
1105 Isa 56,6 19 79 372-373 14332 §3 The position of foreigners who serve YHWH
1106 Isa 56,7 19 84 14351 56,4-7 About eunuchs and foreigners: 68 (4x17) words.
1107 Isa 56,8 10 42 374 14361
1108 Isa 56,9 8 27 14369/56 S
1109 Isa 56,10 15 58 14384 §4 Israel’s watchmen are blind, lack understanding
1110 Isa 56,11 17 65 14401 56,11 The shepherds have no understanding: 17 words.
1111 Isa 56,12 12 43 14413/44 []
12 Part I: 56,1-12 179 699 7x 179
Part II: 57,1-21 The righteous will inherit God’s mountain
1112 Isa 57,1 17+ 62 14430 §5 YHWH’s warnings against idolatry
1113 Isa 57,2 7+ 29 14437
1114 Isa 57,3 8+ 30 14445 §5 (57,1-7) is highlighted by 85 (5x17) words.
1115 Isa 57,4 15+ 52 14460
1116 Isa 57,5 12+ 51 14472
1117 Isa 57,6 15+ 52 14487
1118 Isa 57,7 11/85 (5x17) 34 14498/85 []
1119 Isa 57,8 18 74 14516 §6 The people are accused of serving Moloch
1120 Isa 57,9 12 52 14528
1121 Isa 57,10 13 41 14541/43 []
1122 Isa 57,11 20+ 70 14561 §7 The idols cannot protect those who serve them
1123 Isa 57,12 7+ 30 14568 §7 (57,11-14) is highlighted by 52 (2x26) words.
1124 Isa 57,13 16+ 60 14584
1125 Isa 57,14 9/52 (2x26) 33 14593/52 S
1126 Isa 57,15 22 82 14615 §8 YHWH promises peace and solace to the righteous
1127 Isa 57,16 14 54 14629
1128 Isa 57,17 10 42 14639/46 []
1129 Isa 57,18 8+ 42 14647 §9 There will be no peace for the wicked
1130 Isa 57,19 10+ 45 375 14657
1131 Isa 57,20 11+ 44 14668 The entire paragraph is governed by 34 (2x17) words.
1132 Isa 57,21 5/34 (2x17) 20 14673/80 S
21 Part II: 57,1-21 260 999 1x 260 Part II is in its entirety governed by 10x26 words.
Part III: 58,1-14 The fasting that YHWH demands
1133 Isa 58,1 13+ 52 14686 §10 YHWH orders the prophet to address the people
1134 Isa 58,2 21/34 (2x17) 90 14707/34 [] The entire paragraph is governed by 34 (2x17) words.
1135 Isa 58,3 16+ 62 14723 §11 Fasting as such is not sufficient
1136 Isa 58,4 13+ 56 14736
1137 Isa 58,5 20+ 79 376 14756
1138 Isa 58,6 16+ 66 14772 The entire paragraph is governed by 119 (7x17) words.
1139 Isa 58,7 15+ 62 14787
1140 Isa 58,8 13+ 54 377 14800
1141 Isa 58,9 15+ 15+11=26 57 378 14815
1142 Isa 58,10 11/119 (7x17) 49 14826/119 [] 58,9-10 Emphasis on God’s willingness to hear: 26 w.
1143 Isa 58,11 17 76 379 14843/17 [] §12 YHWH promises to guide and care for Israel
1144 Isa 58,12 15+ 59 14858 §13 A condition is that Israel must rest on the sabbath
1145 Isa 58,13 21+ 88 380 14879 The paragraph is highlighted by 52 (2x26) words.
1146 Isa 58,14 16/52 (2x26) 62 381-382 14895/52 S
14 Part III: 58,1-14 222 912 7x 222 Part III is governed by 222=34+119+17+52 words.
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
Part IV: 59,1-21 A confession of national wickedness
1147 Isa 59,1 10+ 36 383 14905 §14 Israel’s iniquities have alienated them from YHWH
1148 Isa 59,2 13+ 62 14918
1149 Isa 59,3 12+ 58 14930 The entire paragraph is governed by 104 (4x26) words.
1150 Isa 59,4 15+ 55 14945
1151 Isa 59,5 12+ 58 14957
1152 Isa 59,6 13+ 57 14970
1153 Isa 59,7 13+ 59 14983
1154 Isa 59,8 16/104 (4x26) 61 14999/104 []
1155 Isa 59,9 15+ 59 15014 §15 The people confess their sins and transgressions
1156 Isa 59,10 11+ 56 15025
1157 Isa 59,11 12+ 54 15037 The entire paragraph is governed by 78 (3x26) words.
1158 Isa 59,12 12+ 57 15049
1159 Isa 59,13 14+ 54 384 15063
1160 Isa 59,14 14/78 (3x26) 55 15077/78 [] 59,1-14 182 (7x26) words.
1161 Isa 59,15 13+ 52 385 15090 §16 YHWH decides to act and punish his adversaries
1162 Isa 59,16 14+ 55 15104
1163 Isa 59,17 13+ 59 15117 The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3X17) words.
1164 Isa 59,18 11/51 (3x17) 46 15128/51 []
1165 Isa 59,19 17+ 60 386-387 15145 §17 YHWH will come as Redeemer for the penitent
1166 Isa 59,20 8+ 32 388 15153 The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3X17) words.
1167 Isa 59,21 26/51 (3x17) 98 389-390 15179/51 S 59,15-21 102 (6x17) words.
21 Part IV: 59,1-21 284 1183 8x 284 Part IV is governed by 284=104+78+51+51 words.
Part V: 60,1-22 YHWH’s promise of a new Jerusalem
1168 Isa 60,1 9 32 391 15188 §18 YHWH will make Jerusalem a city of light
1169 Isa 60,2 13 53 392 15201
1170 Isa 60,3 6 28 15207/28 []
1171 Isa 60,4 15 57 15222 §19 Exiles will return and nations will praise YHWH
1172 Isa 60,5 15 52 15237
1173 Isa 60,6 15 64 393 15252
1174 Isa 60,7 15 60 15267/60 []
1175 Isa 60,8 7+ 31 15274 §20 The nations will rebuild the city as the city of God
1176 Isa 60,9 20+ 84 394 15294
1177 Isa 60,10 11+ 55 15305 The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3x17) words.
1178 Isa 60,11 13/51 (3x17) 59 15318
1179 Isa 60,12 10+ 43 15328 §21 Israel will profit from the service of the nations
1180 Isa 60,13 14+ 62 15342
1181 Isa 60,14 18+ 74 395 15360 The entire paragraph is governed by 68 (4x17) words.
1182 Isa 60,15 12+ 53 15372
1183 Isa 60,16 14/68 (7x17) 58 396 15386/119 []
1184 Isa 60,17 19+ 82 15405 §22 Jerusalem will be a city of peace and light
1185 Isa 60,18 13+ 56 15418 60,17-21 YHWH will establish a peaceful society and
1186 Isa 60,19 19+/51 (3x17) 71 397 15437 all the people will be righteous, live happily and
1187 Isa 60,20 16+ 56 398 15453 possess the land for ever: 78 (3x26) words.
1188 Isa 60,21 11/78 (3x26) 46 15464
1189 Isa 60,22 10 43 399 15474/88 S
22 Part V: 60,1-22 295 1219 9x 295
Pt. VI: 61,1-62,1 Good tidings to the afflicted and dejected
1190 Isa 61,1 20+ 81 400-401 15494 §23 Nations will acknowledge Israel as God’s people
1191 Isa 61,2 10+ 41 402 15504
1192 Isa 61,3 24+ 86 403 15528 The entire paragraph is governed by 130 (5x26) words.
1193 Isa 61,4 12+ 53 15540
1194 Isa 61,5 8+ 38 15548
1195 Isa 61,6 13+ 60 404 15561 61,6-7 These two verses constitute the absolute middle
1196 Isa 61,7 14+ 57 15575 of Isaiah 56-66 in terms of verses: 192=95+2+95.
1197 Isa 61,8 15+ 58 405 15590
1198 Isa 61,9 14/130 (5x26) 58 406 15604/130 S
1199 Isa 61,10 19 77 407 15623 §24 YHWH will bring about righteousness and praise
1200 Isa 61,11 16 65 408 15639
1201 Isa 62,1 15 61 15654/50 []
12 Part VI: 61,1-62,1 180 735 9x 180
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
Part VII: 62,2-12 The restoration of YHWH’s people
1202 Isa 62,2 14+ 50 409 15668 §25 Jerusalem will rejoice in YHWH who brings justice
1203 Isa 62,3 9+ 39 410 15677
1204 Isa 62,4 23+ 80 411 15700 The entire paragraph is governed by 119 words.
1205 Isa 62,5 13+ 51 15713
1206 Isa 62,6 18+ 70 412 15731
1207 Isa 62,7 12+ 42 15743
1208 Isa 62,8 20+ 75 413 15763
1209 Isa 62,9 10/119 (7x17) 47 414 15773/119 S
1210 Isa 62,10 15 56 15788 §26 YHWH will bring back his people and cause praise
1211 Isa 62,11 17 62 415 15805 62,11 YHWH will cause righteousness and praise: 17 w.
1212 Isa 62,12 12 45 416 15817/44 S
11 Part VII: 62,2-12 163 617 8x 163
Part VIII: 63-64 YHWH the warrior comes to fight and to save
1213 Isa 63,1 18 66 15835/18 [] §27 YHWH is the figure coming from Blood-land Edom
1214 Isa 63,2 6+ 26 15841 §28 All by himself YHWH has punished the nations
1215 Isa 63,3 18+ 77 15859
1216 Isa 63,4 7+ 24 15866 The entire paragraph is governed by 51 (3x17) words.
1217 Isa 63,5 12+ 52 15878
1218 Isa 63,6 8/51 (3x17) 38 15886/51 S
1219 Isa 63,7 19+ 75 417-419 15905 §29 The prophet recounts YHWH’s steadfast love
1220 Isa 63,8 10+ 10+ 37 15915
1221 Isa 63,9 16+ 16/26 67 15931/45 63,8-9 Israel is saved and redeemed by him: 26 words.
1222 Isa 63,10 12+ 43 15943
1223 Isa 63,11 17+ 17 58 15960 63,11 YHWH remembers what he did of old: 17 words.
1224 Isa 63,12 12+ 49 15972
1225 Isa 63,13 6+ 28 15978 The entire paragraph is highlighted by 170 words.
1226 Isa 63,14 13+ 49 420 15991/60 45+60+65=170
1227 Isa 63,15 14+ 65 16005
1228 Isa 63,16 16+ 16+ 63 421 16021 63,16-19 The prophet appeals to YHWH as the Father
1229 Isa 63,17 12+ 12+ 54 422 16033 of Israel to return for the sake of his servants: 51 words.
1230 Isa 63,18 7+ 7+16/51 30 16040
1231 Isa 63,19 16/170 60 16056/65
1232 Isa 64,1 12 48 16068 §30 Would that YHWH rend the heavens to come down
1233 Isa 64,2 8 35 16076
1234 Isa 64,3 13 50 16089
1235 Isa 64,4 14 53 16103
1236 Isa 64,5 13 57 16116/60 []
1237 Isa 64,6 13+ 56 16129 §31 The prophet prays for forgiveness for his people
1238 Isa 64,7 11+ 46 423 16140
1239 Isa 64,8 14+ 42 424 16154 The entire paragraph is governed by 68 (4x17) words.
1240 Isa 64,9 9+ 36 16163
1241 Isa 64,10 13+ 58 16176
1242 Isa 64,11 8/68(4x17) 30 425 16184/68 S
30 Part VIII: 63-64 367 1472 17x 367 Part VIII is sealed by 17 occurrences of .
Part IX: 65,1-25 YHWH will create a new world order
1243 Isa 65,1 14 55 16198 §32 YHWH will repay his rebellious people their sins
1244 Isa 65,2 13+ 48 16211
1245 Isa 65,3 11+ 49 16222 65,2-7 YHWH will strech out his hands to a rebellious
1246 Isa 65,4 10+ 53 16232 people and will in the end repay into their bosom all their
1247 Isa 65,5 15+ 50 16247 iniquities and those of their fathers: 78 (3x26) words.
1248 Isa 65,6 11+ 39 16258
1249 Isa 65,7 18/78 (3x26) 80 426 16276/92 S
1250 Isa 65,8 20 77 427 16296 §33 YHWH’s servants will survive; the disloyal will die
1251 Isa 65,9 11 53 16307
1252 Isa 65,10 11 44 16318
1253 Isa 65,11 13 55 428 16331
1254 Isa 65,12 20 87 16351/75 P
1255 Isa 65,13 20+ 77 429 16371 §34 YHWH’s servants will fare well; the disloyal will not
1256 Isa 65,14 12+ 46 16383
1257 Isa 65,15 11+ 52 430 16394 The entire paragraph is governed by 104 (4x26) words.
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
1258 Isa 65,16 18+ 80 16412
1259 Isa 65,17 14+ 56 16426
1260 Isa 65,18 17+ 58 16443
1261 Isa 65,19 12/104 (4x26) 47 16455/104 []
1262 Isa 65,20 23 74 16478 §35 God’s people will prosper and there will be peace
1263 Isa 65,21 7 32 16485
1264 Isa 65,22 17 61 16502 65,22 They shall live long and enjoy the work of their
1265 Isa 65,23 13 51 431 16515 hands and God will bless them: 17 words.
1266 Isa 65,24 10 39 16525
1267 Isa 65,25 20 73 432 16545/90 S
25 Part IX: 65,1-25 361 1436 7x 361
Part X: 66,1-24 God’s judgements and Zion’s future hope
1268 Isa 66,1 18+ 61 433 16563 §36 The God of the universe has regard for the humble
1269 Isa 66,2 20+ 63 434 16583
1270 Isa 66,3 23+ 90 16606
1271 Isa 66,4 21+ 88 16627/72 S
1272 Isa 66,5 18+ 78 435-436 16645 §37 Strife and hostility among YHWH’s people
1273 Isa 66,6 10+ 40 437 16655 §§1-2 have altogether 153 (9x17) words.
1274 Isa 66,7 9+ 35 16664
1275 Isa 66,8 22+ 22+ 69 16686 66,8-9 The birth of a nation is a matter of course, but it
1276 Isa 66,9 12/153 12/34 50 438 16698/71 S is YHWH who carries it out: 34 (2x17) words.
1277 Isa 66,10 13 51 16711 §38 Call to rejoice with Jerusalem and be comforted
1278 Isa 66,11 10 49 16721/23 S
1279 Isa 66,12 20 76 439 16741 §39 YHWH will comfort Jerusalem and her inhabitants
1280 Isa 66,13 9 41 16750
1281 Isa 66,14 14 62 440 16764/43 []
1282 Isa 66,15 13+ 54 441 16777 §40 YHWH will execute justice by fire and sword
1283 Isa 66,16 11+ 38 442-443 16788
1284 Isa 66,17 16+ 71 444 16804 The entire paragraph is governed by 119 (7x17) words.
1285 Isa 66,18 13+ 58 16817
1286 Isa 66,19 30+ 116 16847
1287 Isa 66,20 29+ 124 445-447 16876
1288 Isa 66,21 7/119 (7x17) 27 448 16883/119 []
1289 Isa 66,22 17 68 449 16900 §41 The universal worship of YHWH
1290 Isa 66,23 14 54 450 16914/31 [] 66,22 Special emphasis on Israel’s endurance: 17 words.
1291 Isa 66,24 17 67 16931/17 Col. §42 The fate of all who rebelled against YHWH: 17 w.
24 Part X: 66,1-24 386 1530 18x 386 1530 (90x17) letters.
192 Segm. VII: 56-66 2697 10802 83x 2697
1291 Segm. I-VII: 1-66 16931 66888 450x 16931 The Masoretes also registered 1291 verses.
Observation Since the passages specifically highlighted by 17 and 26 have been indicated in Column 8 of the table, it is not necessary to review them here. No less than 19 of the 42 paragraphs are highlighted in this way, apart from many individual verses, groups of verses, and major sections of the text: altogether 70% of the 192 verses and 65% of the 2697 words.
The words attributed to YHWH in Isaiah 56-66
It has been extremely difficult to detect and define the divine speeches precisely, mainly, because, as in 40-55, in many cases the normal introductory formulae are absent. Moreover, a special feature of the divine speeches in 56-66, as in the book of Jeremiah, is that God speaks in many instances about himself in the 3rd person, contrary to what is customary in the speeches in Isaiah 1-55. Compare the words attributed to YHWH in 56,6-7; 58,13-14; 60,8.14; 61,9; 62,8-9; 65,11.15-16.23.20.
What is presented in the table below is the outcome of the close cooperation between Klaas Eikelenboom and myself. Formulae referring to God’s words, such as and within or at the end
of the speeches (Column 7), are registered separately, because they are not introductions in the strict sense of the word.
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
DS Text Speaker and Addressee Intro’s Divine Speech Ref. For. DS+Ref. For. Total
1 56,1-2 YHWH >> Israel 3 26 0 26 29
2 56,4-5 YHWH >> the eunuchs 4 26 102 (6x17) 0 26 30+
3 56,6-7 [YHWH] >> the foreigners 0 38 0 38 38/68 (4x17)
4 56,8-9 YHWH >> the gathered 6 12 0 12 18
5 57,3-14 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 156 (6x26) 0 156 (6x26) 156 (6x26)
6 57,15-19 YHWH >> Israel 9 53 2 55 64
7 57,21 YHWH >> Israel 2 3 0 3 5
8 58,1-2 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 34 (2x17) 0 34 (2x17) 34 (2x17) 9 58,3b-7 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 72 0 72 72
10 58,9 YHWH >> Israel 1 1+ 0 1 2
11 58,13-14 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 33/34 (2x17) 4 37 37
12 59,20 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 6 2 8 8
13 59,21 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 22 4 26 26
14 60,4-22 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 267 0 267 267 (60+119+88)
15 61,8-9 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 29 0 29 29
16 62,8-9 YHWH >> Himself 5 25 0 25 30
17 62,11 YHWH >> the watchmen 6 11 0 11 17
18 63,1b YHWH >> Israel 0 5 0 5 5
19 63,3-6 YHWH >> Israel 0 45+ 0 45+ 45
20 63,8a YHWH >> Israel 1 6/51 (3x17) 0 6/51 (3x17) 7
21 65,1-7 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 90 2 92 92
22 65,8-12 YHWH >> Israel 3 72 0 72 75
23 65,13-25 YHWH >> Israel 5 187 (11x17 2 189 194
24 66,1-4 YHWH >> Israel 3 77 2 79 82
25 66,5 YHWH >> Israel 6 12 612 (36x17) 0 12 18
26 66,9 YHWH >> Israel 0 8 4 12 12 27 66,12-14a YHWH >> Israel 4 31 0 31 35
28 66,17-21 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 91 4 95 95
29 66,22-24 [YHWH] >> Israel 0 44 4 48 48
1-29 56-66 58 1482 (57x26) 30 1512 1570
Even though some of the summations in Column 5 may be due to coincidence, they are too conspicuous to be waved aside as coincidence. Note the following significant features:
1. The 29 Divine Speeches have altogether 1482 (57x26) words. 2. Additionally, no less than 67% of the words in the individual speeches and groups of speeches are highlighted by 17 and 26. 3. Speeches 1 and 2 (56,1-2.4-5) stand out by having 26 words each. 4. Speeches 1-4 (56) have altogether 102 (6x17) words. 5. Speeches 2 and 3 (56,4-7), including their introductions, have altogether 68 (4x17) words. 6. Speech 5 (57,3-14) has altogether 156 (6x26) words. 7. Speech 8 (58,1-2) has altogether 34 (2x17) words. 8. Speeches 10 and 11 (58,9.13-14) have altogether 34 (2x17) words. 9. Speech 13 (59,21), including the referring formulae, has 26 words. 10. The middle section of Speech 14 (vs. 8-16 in 60,4-22) has 119 (7x17) words. 11. Speech 17 (62,11), including its introduction, has 17 words. 12. Speeches 19 and 20 (63,3-6.8a) have altogether 51 (3x17) words. 13. Speech 23 (65,13-25) has altogether 187 (11x17) words. 14. Speeches 23-25 (66,5.9.12-14a) have altogether 51 (3x17) words. 15. The 11 Speeches 19-29 (65-66) have altogether 612 (36x17) words.
See the next pages for the Hebrew text in which the Divine Speeches are marked.
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
Words ascribed to God in Isaiah 56-66 Isaiah 56
1 56,1-2 3+26=29
2 56,4-5 4+26=30
3 56,6-7 0+38=38
4 56,8-9 6+12=18
Isaiah 57
5 57,3-14 0+156=156 (6x26)
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
6 57,15-19 9+53=53
7 57,21 0+3+2[5]=5
Isaiah 58
8 58,1-2 0+34=34 (2x17)
9 58,3b-7 0+72=72
10 58,9 1+1=2
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
11 58,13-14 0+33+4[37]=37
Isaiah 59
12 59,20 0+6+2[8]=8 13 59,21 0+22+4[26]=26
Isaiah 60
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
14 60,4-22 0+267=267 (60+119+88)
60,4-7 60
60,8-16 119(7x17)
60,17-22 88
Isaiah 61
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
15 61,8-9 0+29=29
Isaiah 62
16 62,8-9 5+25=30
17 62,11 6+11=17
Isaiah 63
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
18 63,1b 0+5=5
19 63,3-6 0+45=45
20 63,8a 1+6=7
Isaiah 64
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
Isaiah 65
21 65,1-7 0+90+2[92]=92
22 65,8-12 3+72=75
23 65,13-25 5+187+2[189]=194 187=11x17
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
Isaiah 66
24 66,1-4 3+77+2[79]=82
25 66,9 6+8+4[12]=12
26 66,9 0+8+4[12]=12
27 66,12-14a 4+31=35
28 66,17-21 0+91+6[97]=97
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© 2015 Casper J. Labuschagne Segment VII: Isaiah 56-66 [email protected] — rev 07/12/15 4:52 PM
29 66,22-24 0+44+4[48]=48
I am deeply indebted to Klaas Eikelenboom for his invaluable contribution to the analysis of the text, especially concerning the divine speeches. I also owe thanks to Pieter van der Lugt for his constructive remarks.
Back to Segment I: Isaiah 1-12