Interpreting Isaiah 7 Close reading The verse The

Interpreting Isaiah 7

Close reading The verse The chapter When? Translation issues What is the sign about?

Reading within the context of the book What did I learn about this book? First, Second, and Third Isaiah What is the larger message of First Isaiah? Isaiah 8 Isaiah 6 Isaiah 10

Reading in historical context Syro-Ephraimitic War: 8 th c. BCE in the context of imperial Assyria expanding its empire and conquering territories, Israel = northern kingdom = Ephraim and Syria = Aram (capital: Damascus) attempt to force Judah to join in an anti- Assyrian coalition

Reading in historical context

Reading in historical context

Christian tradition Matthew 1: 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. " 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, " which means, "God is with us. "

Christian tradition Matthew o 2: 15 This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son. “ o 8: 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases. “ o 12: 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: o 13: 35 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:

Christian tradition Old Testament Pentateuch Historical Books Poetical Books Prophets (ends with Malachi) New Testament Gospels Acts Etc

Christian tradition

Christian tradition

Christian tradition

Christian tradition

Christian tradition O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Christian tradition Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as those of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night. Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, When half spent was the night.

How to read? Pp. 149 -150

What is at stake? What does your reading imply about the character of God? What does this imply about Judaism?

Isaiah and Christian anti-Judaism “The Jews are the most deranged of all men. . They read the Scriptures and do not understand what they read. Although they had heavenly light from above, they preferred to walk in darkness. They are like people who had neither their mind nor their thinking faculty. ” - Cyril of Alexandria

Isaiah