Abstract

This dissertation is a first step in the study of the redaction history of the book of Isaiah. It puts forward a general methodological proposal for the study of the redaction history of a Biblical book and tests that proposal by applying it to the first four chapters of the book of Isaiah. ;The book as we now have it is the product of its final redactors and reflects their purposes for composing the book and the situation which they intended to address. Consequently, redactional study must begin with the synthetic step of analyzing the final form of the entire book, identifying its genre, setting, and intention, in order to understand the purposes for which it was composed. Analytical work then follows to identify the various authorial and redactional materials within the final form of the book so that its redaction history may be uncovered. ;This dissertation concludes that the book of Isaiah, in its final form, is an exhortation directed to the late-fifth century Jerusalem community. Its purpose is to convince the people that their covenant with God is still in effect, despite the prior Babylonian exile, and that they must therefore return to their relationship with Him. Within chapters 1-4, two redactional stages, which use authentic Isaianic materials to make their points, are identified. Chapters 2-4*, from the late-sixth/early-fifth century, are designed to convince the people that the Babylonian destruction was a necessary part of God's plan to establish His rule over the entire world. Chapter 1, perhaps part of the final redaction of the book, attempts to convince the people of the late-fifth century that the delay in the implementation of God's plan is due to their lack of faith. Once they turn to God and fulfill His expectations, His world rule will take effect