Overview of Isaiah 40-55

What are the general and imporant ideas in these chapters? How do they link to what has gone before, what is still to come in Isaiah?

YHWH is upheld as the One True God of the universe. the nations are rebuked and their weak idols are mocked…

Unity and Composition of Isaiah

Döderlein (1775) and Eichhorn (~1780) initially suggested major division at ch40 – 2 authors (8th 6th cent)

Duhm (1982) added 56 as next division – 3 authors.

Grounds for Disunity

Historical Setting (Driver 1898)

There is a shift in historical context between chs 39 and 40. 1-39 focus on the Assyrian threat whereas 40ff major on Babylon:

1. Jerusalem has fallen (587bc)- 44:26b, 58:12; 61:4; 63:18; 64:10
2. the people are in exile and are suffering at the hands of the Babylonians – 42:22; 47:6.
3. there is hope of return, soon – 40:2; 48:20.
4. the prophet personally addresses the people in exile -48:8.