Second Isaiah and the Gods of Babylon

theisaiahnerd

He is a proponent of the incomparability of God and the nothingness of alternative deities. He is a fierce advocate, a committed dreamer who brooks no rivals for the dream of Adonai bringing water in the desert. New things are coming, greater than the former things. Adonai will give power to the faint, revive the hopeless, rising upon Zion like the dawn.

Shalom Paul (Isaiah 40-66: Eerdmans Critical Commentary) notes some arguments directed specifically against the gods of Babylon in Second Isaiah.

“Before me no god was formed,” (43:10).

“Who created these [stars]? He who brings out their host by number…” (40:26).

“Whom did he consult, and who made him understand?” (40:14).

“I made the earth and created man on it,” (45:12).

“… who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns,'” (52:7).

“There is none besides me; I am Adonai, and there is no other,” (45:6).

These kinds of statements take…

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About jamesbradfordpate

My name is James Pate. This blog is about my journey. I read books. I watch movies and TV shows. I go to church. I try to find meaning. And, when I can’t do that, I just talk about stuff that I find interesting. I have degrees in fields of religious studies. I have an M.Phil. in the History of Biblical Interpretation from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. I also have an M.A. in Hebrew Bible from Jewish Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from DePauw University.
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