The Characterization of the Assyrians in Isaiah Synchronic and Diachronic Perspectives

by Hom, Mary Katherine Y.H.

• ISBN13: 9780567484215
• ISBN10: 0567484211
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2014-01-16
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T&T Clark

Summary

The Characterization of the Assyrians in Isaiah is a literary analysis of every text in Isaiah in which the Assyrians explicitly or implicitly feature. In addition, a few texts regarded by dominant voices in scholarship as referring to the Assyrians are discussed. The general approach of this work is to assume a literary synchronic reading in order to appreciate the narrative artistry and meaning conveyed by the final form of the text and to establish a standard from which diachronic inquiry may proceed. Each chapter is a study in its own right, usually concentrating on a passage or chapter of Isaiah. In addition to analysing the role of the Assyrians from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives, these chapters also explore the sophisticated ways by which literary devices function in relation to the depiction of the Assyrians.

Author Biography

Dr. Mary Katherine Y. H. Hom graduated from the University of Cambridge (PhD), was formerly an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Ambrose University College, and currently resides in northern California. She has lectured and taught in numerous countries and contributed to various scholarly journals.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: The Generalisation of the Assyrian Invastion in 701 - Diachronic Typologisation I (Isa 1:5-9)
Chapter 3: From Assyrians to Babylonians - Diachronic Typologisation II (Isa 5:25-30)
Chapter 4: Assyria and Egypt - Synchronic Typology I (Isa 7:3, 17-25)
Chapter 5: Children and Rivers - Sign-Names and Imagery (Isa 8:1-10)
Chapter 6: Assyria ultra vires - Inner Perspectives, Imagery, Synchronic Typology II, and Poetic Devices (Isa 10)
Chapter 7: From Egypt to Assyria - Synchronic Typology III (Isa 11:11-16)
Chapter 8: Babylonian Supersession I - Analogy vs. Typology and Challenging Erlandsson (Isa 13-14)
Chapter 9: Future Heights - Synchronic Typology IV and Contrast (Isa 19:23-25)
Chapter 10: Present Realities - Particularised Depiction and Contrast (Isa 20:1-6 in the Context of Isa 18-20)
Chapter 11: Crux Interpretum - Diachronic Typologisation V (Isa 21)
Chapter 12: The 'Replacement' Passage - Diachronic Typologisation VI (Isa 23:13)
Chapter 13: Empire and City - Synchronic Typology V (Isa 27:12-13 in the Context of Isa 24-27)
Chapter 14: The Flood Overflows - Synchronic Typology VI and an Agricultural Parable (Isa 28)
Chapter 15: The Great Reversal - Key Terminology and Intertextuality (Isa 30)
Chapter 16: Reinforcement from Another Perspective - Simile and Typological Shifts (Synchronic Typology VII) (Isa 31:1-9)
Chapter 17: Three Oppressors in One - Synchronic Typology VIII (Isa 33)
Chapter 18: Distinctives - The Portrayal of the Assyrians in the Isaianic Version of the Hezekiah Narrative in Comparison with Kings and Chronicles (Isa 36-39)
Chapter 19: Babylonian Suypersession II - Synchronic Typology IX and Analogy (Isa 52:1-6)
Chapter 20: Conclusions
Epilogue - On the Subversive Nature of the Assyria Material in Isaiah
Bibliography
Index