S.W. Flynn, «Where Is YHWH in Isaiah 57,14-15?», Vol. 87 (2006) 358-370
This study suggests a reading of Isaiah 57, 14-15 in the Hebrew Bible which goes
against the theological Tendenz of some Versions and the interpretation of some
contemporary scholars. It explores how both the Versions and contemporary
scholarship have interpreted the passage, draws a parallel between the two
interpretations, and suggests that their either/or distinction of what the passage
means may not reflect the complex nature of sacred space and Divine Presence in
the BH. This study suggests that the text holds two meanings that are
complementary. Yet these meanings are placed in a respective foreground and
background which reveals their levels of emphasis intended by the
author/redactor of Trito-Isaiah.
370 S.W. Flynn
of the Targums may have had mixed feelings about the relevance of
the temple; indeed, they have a preference for showing that YHWH’s
glory — Shekinah — guided his people from heaven. Then the faith
communities that gave rise to the Peshitta may have moved beyond the
importance of the Israelite temple. Yet as for contemporary
scholarship’s similar position to the Versions, is it possible that the
contemporary interpretation is not so much a product of interpreting
the BH as the result of the way we see YHWH now?
From the above discussion some points may be gleaned. The first
is that we see a continuing connection between the interpretive
traditions of the Versions and contemporary scholarship. It is clear that
the Versions wished to put less emphasis on an immanent YHWH
within an earthly temple in their treatment of Isa 57, 14-15. The
question remains whether the distance between our contemporary
focus on sacred space and that of the BH is one of the reasons for the
contemporary consensus on the meaning of this text and its alignment
with the Versions. At least drawing the parallel serves as a reminder
that with every text we as a scholarly community must be diligent and
attempt to set aside — as far as this is possible — our reading lenses if
we seek an “original†meaning.
Corpus Christi College S.W. FLYNN
5935 Iona Drive,
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
V6T 1J7
SUMMARY
This study suggests a reading of Isaiah 57, 14-15 in the Hebrew Bible which goes
against the theological Tendenz of some Versions and the interpretation of some
contemporary scholars. It explores how both the Versions and contemporary
scholarship have interpreted the passage, draws a parallel between the two
interpretations, and suggests that their either/or distinction of what the passage
means may not reflect the complex nature of sacred space and Divine Presence in
the BH. This study suggests that the text holds two meanings that are
complementary. Yet these meanings are placed in a respective foreground and
background which reveals their levels of emphasis intended by the
author/redactor of Trito-Isaiah.