Saint Isaïe
prophète de l'Ancien Testament (8ème s. av JC.)
Il annonça le Christ, Messie et salut des nations. Il reçut sa vocation dans le Temple de Jérusalem où il eut la révélation de la sainteté de Dieu et de l'indignité de l'homme. Grand prophète messianique, il annonça la naissance mystérieuse de l'Emmanuel, descendant de David, qui ferait régner la paix et la justice et répandrait la connaissance de Dieu.
Lire dans la Bible, le Livre d'Isaïe, aelf.
Les Églises d'Orient fêtent le 9 mai celui qui prophétisa la Passion du Christ, "le serviteur souffrant", et la virginité de la Sainte Mère de Dieu, la toujours Vierge Marie. L'Église d'Occident le fête le 6 juillet.
Commémoraison de saint Isaïe, prophète, qui, au VIIIe siècle avant le Christ, aux jours d’Ozias, de Jotham, d’Achaz et d’Ézéchias, rois de Juda, fut envoyé pour révéler au peuple infidèle et pécheur un Seigneur fidèle et sauveur, qui accomplirait la promesse jurée par Dieu à David. Selon la tradition, il serait mort martyr, en Judée, sous le roi Manassé.
Martyrologe romain
Que sait-on d'Isaïe ?
Quand vivait Isaïe ? Comment vivait-on à son époque ? Quels furent les grands événements ? Quel est le cœur de son message ? Voici quelques éléments de réponse…
• Que sait-on d'Isaïe ? Quand est-il né ?
La date de la naissance d'Isaïe nous est inconnue. Mais on connaît la date à laquelle il exerça son activité de prophète. C'était à peu près entre 740 et 700 avant Jésus Christ. On peut en déduire qu’il naquit vers 765-760. Nous ne savons pas grand-chose de sa vie privée. Son père s'appelait Amoç (Isaïe, 1,1). Isaïe était marié. Dans ses écrits, sa femme reçoit le nom de « prophétesse » (8,3). Deux de ses enfants y sont aussi désignés par des noms à portée symbolique : Shéar-Yashouv, ce qui veut dire « Un reste reviendra » (ou se convertira) et Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, ce qui veut dire « Proche est le pillage, imminente la déprédation » (7,3; 8,3). Ces noms serviront à exprimer le message du prophète à certains moments.
Isaïe parle très peu de lui, de ses sentiments. Une fois seulement, il donne libre cours à son désarroi face au comportement de ses contemporains (22,4). À deux reprises, on le voit aussi se démarquer de ses contemporains (7,13; 8, 11-18).
• Quelles étaient les grandes puissances de l'époque ?
Deux puissances occupent le devant de la scène : l'Assyrie et l'Égypte. L'Assyrie connaît un renouveau et une forte expansion à partir de 745, grâce à 1'arrivée sur le trône d'un roi qui fera beaucoup parler de lui : Tiglat-Piléser (ou Téglat-Phalasar) III. L'Égypte, elle, est alors plongée dans une situation presque anarchique qui durera jusqu'à la fin du 8° siècle. Cependant, pour les petits royaumes de Syrie et de Palestine, elle continue à être une puissance avec laquelle il faut compter. C'est vers elle qu'on se tournera, en vain d'ailleurs, pour chercher de l'aide contre les Assyriens. Quant à la Babylonie, elle sera annexée par Tiglat-Piléser III. Malgré quelques tentatives pour prendre la tête d'un vaste mouvement anti-assyrien incluant même le royaume de Juda (Is 39), elle restera très marginalisée.
• Connaît-on la situation intérieure du royaume de Juda où vivait Isaïe ? Et le royaume du Nord ?
La situation intérieure du royaume de Juda évolue au long de la vie du prophète. L'enfance et la jeunesse d'Isaïe se déroulent à un moment de grande prospérité. À partir de 735, cette prospérité est fortement limitée puisque Jérusalem se retrouve en situation de vassale de l'Assyrie. La plus grande partie du ministère prophétique d'Isaïe se déroule donc dans ce cadre de vassalité. Les tributs à payer aux Assyriens réduisent considérablement le niveau de vie des gens, car il faut bien trouver l'argent quelque part. À partir de 701, la situation est encore plus catastrophique à la suite de la révolte du roi Ézékias : il doit payer un lourd tribut et perd une partie du territoire national (2 Rois 18,14-16).
Dans le Royaume du Nord, la situation est la même jusqu'à l'arrivée des Assyriens. Entre 734 et 722, la vie est précaire à cause de la perte d'une très grande partie du territoire, à cause aussi de la déportation de bon nombre d'habitants et du lourd tribut à payer aux Assyriens. Le Royaume du Nord disparaît en 722.
• Isaïe avait-il des liens avec les hommes politiques ? Quelle était l'importance d'un roi à cette époque ? Un prophète pouvait-il facilement le contredire?
Isaïe fréquentait certainement la cour royale. Il devait faire partie de l'aristocratie du royaume. Certains textes démontrent les liens étroits du prophète avec la cour, vu l'aisance avec laquelle il s'adresse au roi et à certains fonctionnaires, vu aussi les consultations dont il est l'objet (Is 7,1-7; 22,15-25; 37,1-7; 38-39). En outre, il est fort probable qu'Isaïe ait été le prophète officiel du roi Ézékias, ce qui expliquerait, entre autres, sa fréquentation de la cour.
Le roi à l'époque avait une importance capitale. Dans la mentalité du temps, il constituait la clé de voûte de l'ensemble du système socio-religieux. Il était le « fils » de Dieu, chargé de rendre la justice, de conduire la guerre, de gagner la paix et d'apporter le bien-être au peuple. Il avait aussi l'autorité suprême sur le temple, les prêtres étant ses fonctionnaires.
Le prophète qui critiquait le roi s'attirait inévitablement les foudres du pouvoir, car il mettait en cause le fonctionnement de ce bel édifice social, voire le système lui-même. Il suffit de lire Amos 7,10-17 pour s'en rendre compte. Mais c'est là justement que les prophètes reconnus comme authentiques représentants de la parole de Dieu donnent une des preuves de leur « véracité ». Ils refusent d'identifier la religion d'Israël avec la religion du roi; ils critiquent celui-ci en conséquence. C'est une des caractéristiques essentielles du prophétisme en Israël. Isaïe croyait fortement en la valeur de la monarchie comme médiation de salut pour Israël, mais cela ne l'empêchait pas de critiquer rudement le roi et la cour.
• Y avait-il des riches, des pauvres ? Les classes sociales étaient-elles très marquées ?
Amos, Osée, Isaïe et Michée, tous les quatre prophètes du 8° siècle, critiquent âprement la violence et l'oppression dont sont victimes les petits et les pauvres. La situation sociale s'est extrêmement dégradée à cette époque et la différence entre classes s'est donc renforcée. La critique sociale d'Isaïe, comme celle des trois autres prophètes cités, constitue un élément essentiel du ministère prophétique. La critique se porte aussi sur la pratique cultuelle, étant entendu que les prophètes ne délient jamais la pratique du culte de celle de la justice, celle-ci étant à leurs yeux essentielle.
• Est-il possible de résumer le cœur de son message en quelques lignes ?
Isaïe est un homme de son temps qui, en tant qu'envoyé du Dieu d'Israël, le Saint, va intervenir dans tous les domaines de la vie de son peuple. Son époque étant très mouvementée politiquement et socialement, il va dénoncer constamment le désir de la cour et du peuple de conduire leur vie en marge du plan du Dieu d'Israël : alliances politiques pour sauver le pouvoir (30,1-8), oppression des pauvres pour s'enrichir soi-même (1,21-28), tout cela accompagné d'un culte « des lèvres » (1,10-20). On pourrait citer bien des textes ! Pour Isaïe, la vie du peuple et des institutions qui sont à son service, roi, prophètes, sages, culte, n'a de sens qu'enracinée dans le Saint d'Israël qui a choisi Sion, son roi et son temple, pourvu que tous répondent par une foi sans concessions.
• Quel langage le prophète utilisait-il ?
Tout est bon pour faire passer le message prophétique. Chaque prophète a ses propres caractéristiques, mais on trouve souvent des oracles de jugement, avec le couple « accusation/sentence » (5,8-10; 30,15-17), des oracles de salut (7,3-9), des paraboles (5,17; 28,23-29), des lamentations (29,1-8), des poèmes de toutes sortes (9,1-6; 11,1-9), des actions symboliques (8,1-4; 20,1-6), des visions (6). Si les premiers prophètes avaient surtout une activité orale, ils commencèrent assez vite à mettre par écrit certains oracles (Is 8,16; 30,8), créant ensuite les premières collections d’oracles. Il n'est pas impossible que plus tard, Ézéchiel par exemple, ait écrit directement ses oracles sans passer par une proclamation orale préalable de son message.
© SBEV. Jésus Asurmendi
Note :
Isaïe : un livre... trois auteurs !
Le livre d’Isaïe est composé de trois parties rédigées à des époques différences et par des auteurs différents.
Les chapitres 1 à 39 sont en grande partie l'œuvre d'Isaïe lui-même, et c'est pourquoi on parle du “ livre d'Isaïe ” pour l’ensemble du livre. Mais, plus tard, de lointains disciples se réclameront de lui, et leurs œuvres seront ajoutées à la sienne : tout d’abord un disciple du temps de l'Exil, auteur des chapitres 40 à 55, puis un autre prophète anonyme, après l'Exil, auteur des derniers chapitres (56 à 66).
Le premier auteur (ch. 1 à 39) est donc Isaïe lui-même. C’est le “ premier Isaïe ”, ou “ proto-Isaïe ” (du grec prôtos, premier). Pour désigner le second auteur (ch. 40–55) on utilise l’expression de “ second-Isaïe ”, ou “ deutéro-Isaïe ” (du grec, deutéro“ deuxième ”), et pour le dernier rédacteur (ch. 56–66), les spécialistes parlent de “ troisième Isaïe ”, ou “ trito-Isaïe ” (du grec trito“ troisième ”).
• Les oracles du premier Isaïe se trouvent essentiellement dans les chapitres 1-12 (oracles sur Juda et Jérusalem); 13-12 (oracles sur les Nations); et 28-33 (oracles sur Samarie et Jérusalem).
• Le second Isaïe s’adresse aux exilés et à Jérusalem durant l’exil (entre 5857 et 538), pour leur annoncer la libération prochaine et le retour.
• Les oracles du troisième Isaïe veulent réconforter le Communquté juive rentrée en Judée après l’Exil et qui doit faire face à bien des difficultés et des déceptions.
Isaias (Isaiah), Prophet (RM)
Died c. 681 BC. Isaiah is the great poet and believer of the Old Testament, and one of the four major prophets of the Old Testament. He lived at a time when the people of Israel had settled in Canaan; David and Solomon had formed the Hebrew religion, the temple had been built and Josiah had just ended a long and useful reign.
In 740 BC, the year of Josiah's death, Isaiah had a vision of the Lord sitting on a throne surrounded by seraphim. Each had six wings: "And one cried to another, and said, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory"--words which today form part of the Mass. The God of Isaiah was a God of Holiness, and the beginnings of his vocation were marked by majesty, piety, and grandeur.
Tradition tells us that Isaiah was sawn in two by order of King Manassas of Judah, and buried under an oak tree. His tomb was still venerated in the 5th century AD (Benedictines).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0706.shtml
Isaias
Among the writers whom the Hebrew Bible styles the "Latter Prophets" foremost stands "Isaias, the holyprophet . . . the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God" (Eccliasticus 48:23-25).
Life
The book of Isaias
First Isaias
Second Isaias
Appreciation of the work of Isaias
Sources
Souvay, Charles. "Isaias."The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 8.New York: Robert Appleton Company,1910.12 Jul. 2015<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08179b.htm>.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08179b.htm
Isaias
Among the writers whom the Hebrew Bible styles the "Latter Prophets" foremost stands "Isaias, the holyprophet . . . the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God" (Eccliasticus 48:23-25).
Life
The name Isaiassignifies"Yahwehis salvation". It assumes two different formsin the Hebrew Bible: for in the text of the Book of Isaias and in the historical writings of the Old Testament, for example in 2 Kings 19:2; 2 Chronicles 26:22; 32:20-32, it is read Yeshá'yahu, whereas the collection of the Prophet'sutterances is entitled Yeshá'yah, in Greek 'Esaías, and in Latinusually Isaias, but sometimes Esaias. Four other persons of the same name are mentioned in the Old Testament(Ezra 8:7; 8:19; Nehemiah 11:7; 1 Chronicles 26:25); while the names Jesaia (1 Chronicles 25:15), Jeseias (1 Chronicles 3:21; 25:3) may be regarded as mere variants. From the Prophethimself (i, 1; ii, 1) we learn that he was the son of Amos. Owing to the similarity between Latinand Greek forms of this name and that of the Shepherd-Prophet of Thecue, some Fathers mistook the ProphetAmos for the father of Isaias. St. Jerome in the preface to his "Commentary on Amos" (P.L., XXV, 989) points out this error. Of Isaias's ancestry we know nothing; but several passages of his prophecies(iii, 1-17, 24; iv, 1; viii, 2; xxxi, 16) lead us to believethat he belonged to one of the best families of Jerusalem. A Jewishtradition recorded in the Talmud(Tr. Megilla, 10b.) held him to be a nephew of King Amasias. As to the exact timeof the Prophet's birth we lack definite data; yet he is believed to have been about twenty years of age when he began his public ministry. He was a citizen, perhaps a native, of Jerusalem. His writings give unmistakable signsof high culture. From his prophecies(vii and viii) we learn that he marrieda woman whom he styles "the prophetess" and that he had two sons, She'ar-Yashub and Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Nothing whatever indicates that he was twice marriedas some fancy on the gratuitous and indefensible supposition that the 'almah of vii, 14, was his wife.
The propheticalministry of Isaias lasted wellnigh half a century, from the closing year of Ozias, King of Juda, possibly up to that of Manasses. This period was one of great propheticalactivity. Israel and Judaindeed were in sore need of guidance. After the death of Jeroboam II revolution followed upon revolution and the northern kingdom had sunk rapidly into an abject vassalage to the Assyrians. The petty nations of the West, however, recovering from the severe blows received in the beginning of the eighth century, were again manifesting aspirationsof independence. Soon Theglathphalasar III marched his armies towards Syria; heavy tributes were levied and utter ruin threatened on those who would show any hesitation to pay. In 725 Osee, the last King of Samaria, fell miserably under the onslaught of Salmanasar IV, and three years later Samariasuccumbed to the hands of the Assyrians. In the meantime the Kingdomof Juda hardly fared better. A long period of peace had enervated characters, and the young, inexperienced, and unprincipled Achaz was no match for the Syro-Israelitecoalition which confronted him. Panic-strickenhe, in spite of the remonstrances of Isaias, resolved to appealto Theglathphalasar. The help of Assyria was secured, but the independence of Judawas thereby practically forfeited. In order to explain clearly the political situation to which so many allusions are made in Isaias's writings there is here subjoined a briefchronologicalsketch of the period: 745, Theglathphalasar III, king of Assyria; Azarias (A. V. Uzziah), of Juda; Manahem(A. V. Menahem) of Samaria; and Sua of Egypt; 740, death of Azarias; Joatham (A. V. Jotham), king of Juda; capture of Arphad (A. V. Arpad) by Theglathphalasar III (Isaiah 10:9); 738, campaign of Theglathphalasar against Syria; capture of Calano (A. V. Calno) and Emath (A. V. Hamath); heavy tribute imposed upon Manahem (2 Kings 15:19-20); victorious wars of Joatham against the Ammonites(2 Chronicles 27:4-6); 736, Manahemsucceeded by Phaceia (A. V. Pekahiah); 735, Joatham succeeded by Achaz(2 Kings 16:1); Phaceiareplaced by Phacee (A. V. Pekah), son of Remelia (A. V. Remaliah), one of his captains; Jerusalem besieged by Phacee in alliance with Rasin (A. V. Rezin), king of Syria(2 Kings 16:5; Isaiah 7:1-2); 734, Theglathphalasar, replying to Achaz'request for aid, marches against Syria and Israel, takes several cities of North and EastIsrael(2 Kings 15:29), and banishes their inhabitants; the Assyrian allies devastate part of the territory of Judaand Jerusalem; Phacee slainduring a revolution in Samaria and succeeded by Osee(A. V. Hoshea); 733, unsuccessful expeditions of Achazagainst Edom(2 Chronicles 28:17) and the Philistines (20); 732, campaign of Theglathphalasar against Damascus; Rasin besieged in his capital, captured, and slain; Achaz goes to Damascusto pay homage to the Assyrianruler (2 Kings 16:10-19); 727, death of Achaz; accession of Ezechias(2 Kings 18:1); in AssyriaSalmanasar IV succeeds Theglathphalasar III, 726, campaign of Salmanasar against Osee (2 Kings 17:3); 725, Oseemakes alliance with Sua, king of Egypt(2 Kings 17:4); second campaign of Salmanasar IV, resulting in the capture and deportation of Osee(2 Kings 17:4); beginning of the siege of Samaria; 722, Sargon succeeds Salmanasar IV in Assyria; capture of Samaria by Sargon; 720, defeat of Egyptian army at Raphiaby Sargon; 717, Charcamis, the Hittitestronghold on the Euphrates, falls into the hands of Sargon (Isaiah 10:8); 713, sickness of Ezechias(2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38); embassy from Merodach Baladan to Ezechias(2 Kings 20:12-13; Isaiah 39); 711, invasion of Western Palestine by Sargon; siege and capture of Azotus(A. V. Ashdod; Isaiah 20); 709, Sargon defeats Merodach Baladan, seizes Babylon, and assumes title of king of Babylon; 705, death of Sargon; accession of Sennacherib; 701, expedition of Sennacherib against Egypt; defeat of latter at Elteqeh; capture of Accaron(A. V. Ekron); siege of Lachis; Ezechias'sembassy; the conditions laid down by Sennacherib being found too hard the king of Judaprepares to resist the Assyrians; destruction of part of the Assyrian army; hurried retreatof the rest (2 Kings 18; Isaiah 36:37); 698, Ezechiasis succeeded by his son Manasses. The wars of the ninth century and the peaceful security following them produced their effects in the latter part of the next century. Cities sprang up; new pursuits, although affording opportunities of easy wealth, brought about also an increase of poverty. The contrast between class and class became daily more marked, and the poorwere oppressed by the rich with the connivance of the judges. A socialstate founded on iniquity is doomed. But as Israel'ssocialcorruption was greater than Juda's, Israel was expected to succumb first. Greater likewise was her religiouscorruption. Not only did idolatrousworshipprevail there to the end, but we know from Oseewhat gross abuses and shameful practices obtained in Samaria and throughout the kingdom, whereas the religion of the people of Juda on the whole seems to have been a little better. We know, however, as regards these, that at the very timeof Isaias certainformsof idolatrousworship, like that of Nohestan and of Moloch, probably that also of Tammur and of the "host of heaven", were going on in the open or in secret.
Commentators are at variance as to when Isaias was called to the propheticaloffice. Some think that previous to the visionrelated in vi, 1, he had received communications from heaven. St. Jerome in his commentaryon the passage holds that chaptersi-v ought to be attributed to the last years of King Ozias, then ch. vi would commence a new series begun in the year of the death of that prince (740 B.C.; P.L., XXIV, 91; cf. St. Gregory Nazianzen, Orat. ix; P.G., XXXV, 820). It is more commonly held, however, that ch. vi refers to the first calling of the Prophet; St. Jerome himself, in a letter to Pope Damasus seems to adoptthis view (P.L., XXII, 371; cf. Hesychius"In Is.", P.G. XCIII, 1372), and St. John Chrysostom, commentingupon Isaiah 6:5, very aptly contrasts the promptness of the Prophet with the tergiversations of Mosesand Jeremias. On the other hand, since no prophecies appear to be later than 701 B.C., it is doubtful if Isaias saw the reign of Manassesat all; still a very old and widespread tradition, echoed by the Mishna (Tr. Yebamoth, 49b; cf. Sanhedr., 103b), has it that the Prophetsurvived Ezechias and was slainin the persecution of Manasses(2 Kings 21:16). This prince had him convicted of blasphemy, because he had dared say: "I saw the Lordsitting upon a throne" (vi, 1), a pretension in conflict with God's own assertion in Exodus 33:20: "Man shall not see me and live". He was accused, moreover, of having predicted the ruin of Jerusalem and called the holycity and the people of Juda by the accursed names of Sodomand Gomorrah. According to the "Ascension of Isaias", the Prophet'smartyrdom consisted in being sawed asunder. Traditionshows this to have been unhesitatingly believed. The Targum on 2 Kings 21:6, admits it; it is preserved in two treatises of the Talmud (Yebamoth, 49b; Sanhedr., 103b); St. Justin(Dialogue with Trypho 120), and many of the Fathersadopted it, taking as unmistakable allusions to Isaias those words of the Hebrews 11:37, "they (the ancients) were cut asunder" (cf. Tertullian, "De patient.", xiv; P.L., I, 1270; Orig., "In Is., Hom." I, 5, P.G., XIII, 223; "In Matt.", x, 18, P.G., XIII, 882; "In Matt.", Ser. 28, P.G., XIII, 1637; "Epist. ad Jul. Afr.", ix, P.G., XI, 65; St. Jerome, "In Is.", lvii, 1, P.L., XXIV, 546-548; etc.). However, little trustshould be put in the strange details mentioned in the "De Vit. Prophet." of pseudo-Epiphanius (P.G., XLIII, 397, 419). The dateof the Prophet's demise is not known. The RomanMartyrologycommemoratesIsaias on 6 July. His tomb is believed to have been in Paneas in Northern Palestine, whence his relics were taken to Constantinoplein A.D. 442.
The literaryactivity of Isaias is attested by the canonicalbook which bears his name; moreover allusion is made in 2 Chronicles 26:22, to "Acts of Ozias first and last . . . written by Isaias, the son of Amos, the prophet". Another passage of the same book informs us that "the rest of the actsof Ezechias and his mercies, are written in the Vision of Isaias, son of Amos, the prophet", in the Book of the Kingsof Juda and Israel. Such at least is the reading of the MassoreticBible, but its text here, if we may judgefrom the variants of the Greekand St. Jerome, is somewhat corrupt. Most commentatorswho believe the passage to be authenticthink that the writer refers to Isaiah 36-39. We must finally mention the "Ascension of Isaias", at one time attributed to the Prophet, but never admitted into the Canon.
The book of Isaias
The canonicalBook of Isaias is made up of two distinct collections of discourses, the one (chapters 1-35) called sometimes the "First Isaias"; the other (chapters 40-66) styled by many modern criticsthe "Deutero- (or Second) Isaias"; between these two comes a stretch of historicalnarrative; some authors, as Michaelis and Hengstenberg, holding with St. Jerome that the propheciesare placed in chronologicalorder; others, like Vitringa and Jahn, in a logical order; others finally, like Gesenius, Delitzsch, Keil, think the actual order is partly logical and partly chronological. No less disagreement prevails on the question of the collector. Those who believethat Isaias is the author of all the propheciescontained in the book generally fix upon the Prophethimself. But for the critics who question the genuineness of some of the parts, the compilation is by a late and unknown collector. It would be well, however, before suggesting a solution to analysecursorily the contents.
First Isaias
In the first collection(cc. i-xxxv) there seems to be a grouping of the discourses according to their subject-matter: (1) cc. i-xii, oraclesdealing with Juda and Israel; (2) cc. xiii-xxiii, propheciesconcerning (chiefly) foreign nations; (3) cc. xxiv-xxvii, an apocalypse; (4) cc. xxviii-xxxiii, discourses on the relationsof Juda to Assyria; (5) cc. xxxiv-xxxv, future of Edom and Israel.
First section
In the first group (i-xii) we may distinguish separate oracles. Ch. i arraigns Jerusalem for her ingratitude and unfaithfulness; severe chastisements have proved unavailing; yet forgiveness can be secured by a true change of life. The ravaging of Juda points to either the time of the Syro-Ephraimitecoalition (735) or the Assyrianinvasion (701). Ch. ii threatens judgmentupon pride and seems to be one of the earliest of the Prophet'sutterances. It is followed (iii-iv) by a severe arraignment of the nation's rulers for their injustice and a lampoon against the women of Sionfor their wanton luxury. The beautiful apologue of the vineyard serves as a preface to the announcement of the punishment due to the chief socialdisorders. These seem to point to the last days of Joatham, or the very beginning of the reign of Achaz(from 736-735 B.C.). The next chapter(vi), dated in the year of the death of Ozias (740), narrates the calling of the Prophet. With vii opens a series of utterances not inappropriately called "the Bookof Emmanuel"; it is made up of prophecies bearing on the Syro-Ephraimitewar, and ends in a glowing description (an independent oracle?) of what the country will be under a future sovereign (ix, 1-6). Ch. ix, 7-x, 4, in five strophes announces that Israel is foredoomed to utter ruin; the allusion to rivalries between Ephraim and Manassespossibly has to do with the revolutions which followed the death of Jeroboam II; in this case the prophecymight date some time between 743-734. Much later is the prophecyagainst Assur (x, 5-34), later than the capture of Arshad (740), Calano (738), or Charcamis(717). The historical situation therein described suggests the timeof Sennacherib's invasion (about 702 or 701 B.C.). Ch. xi depicts the happy reign to be of the ideal king, and a hymn of thanksgiving and praise (xii) closes this first division.
Second section
The first "burden" is aimed at Babylon(viii, 1-xiv, 23). The situation presupposed by the Prophetis that of the Exile; a fact that inclines some to dateit shortly before 549, against others who hold it was written on the death of Sargon (705). Ch. xiv, 24-27, foretelling the overthrow of the Assyrian army on the mountains of Juda, and regarded by some as a misplaced part of the prophecyagainst Assur (x, 5-34), belongs no doubt to the period of Sennacherib's campaign. The next passage (xiv, 28-32) was occasioned by the death of some foe of the Philistines: the names of Achaz(728), Theglathphalasar III (727), and Sargon (705) have been suggested, the last appearing more probable. Chaptersxv-xvi, "the burden of Moab", is regarded by many as referring to the reign of Jeroboam II, King of Israel (787-746); its dateis conjectural. The ensuing "burden of Damascus" (xvii, 1-11), directed against the Kingdom of Israel as well, should be assigned to about 735 B.C. Here follows a short utterance on Ethiopia (prob. 702 or 701). Next comes the remarkable prophecyabout Egypt (xix), the interestof which cannot but be enhanced by the recent discoveries at Elephantine (vv. 18, 19). The date presents a difficulty, the time ranging, according to diverse opinions, from 720 to 672 B.C.. The oracle following (xx), against Egypt and Ethiopia, is ascribed to the year in which Ashdodwas besieged by the Assyrians (711). Justwhat capture of Babylon is alluded to in "the burden of the desert of the sea" (xxi, 1-10) is not easy to determine, for during the lifetime of Isaias Babylonwas thrice besieged and taken (710, 703, 696 B.C.). Independent criticsseem inclined to see here a description of the taking of Babylonin 528 B.C., the same description being the work of an author living towards the close of the Babylonian Captivity. The two short prophecies, one on Edom (Duma; xxi, 11-12) and one on Arabia(xxi, 13-17), give no clue as to when they were uttered. Ch. xxii, 1-14, is a rebuke addressed to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In the rest of the chapterSobna (Shebna) is the object of the Prophet'sreproaches and threats (about 701 B.C.). The section closes with the announcement of the ruin and the restoration of Tyre (xxiii).
Third section
The third section of the first collection includes chapters xxiv-xxviii, sometimes called "the Apocalypse of Isaias". In the first part (xxiv-xxvi, 29) the Prophetannounces for an undetermined future the judgmentwhich shall precede the kingdom of God (xxiv); then in symbolicterms he describes the happiness of the goodand the punishment of the wicked(xxv). This is followed by the hymn of the elect(xxvi, 1-19). In the second part (xxvi, 20-xxvii) the Prophetdepicts the judgment hanging over Israel and its neighbours. The dateis most unsettled among modern critics, certain passages being attributed to 107 B.C., others even to a datelower than 79 B.C.. Let it be remarked, however, that both the ideas and the language of these four chapterssupport the traditionattributing this apocalypse to Isaias. The fourth division opens with a pronouncement of woe against Ephraim(and perhaps Juda; xxviii, 1-8), written prior to 722 B.C.; the historicalsituation implied in xxviii, 9-29, is a strong indication that this passage was written about 702 B.C. To the same date belong xxix-xxxii, propheciesconcerned with the campaign of Sennacherib. This series fittingly concludes with a triumphant hymn (xxxiii), the Prophetrejoicing in the deliverance of Jerusalem (701). Chaptersxxxi-xxxv, the last division, announce the devastation of Edom, and the enjoyment of bountiful blessings by ransomed Israel. These two chaptersare thought by several modern criticsto have been written during the captivityin the sixth century. The foregoing analysisdoes not enable us to assert indubitably that this first collectionas such is the work of Isaias; yet as the genuinenessof almost all these propheciescannot be seriously questioned, the collectionas a whole might still possibly be attributed to the last years of the Prophet'slife or shortly afterwards. If there really be passages reflecting a later epoch, they found their way into the book in the course of time on account of some analogyto the genuine writings of Isaias. Little need be said of xxxvii-xxxix. The first two chaptersnarrate the demand made by Sennacherib—the surrender of Jerusalem, and the fulfillment of Isaias's predictions of its deliverance; xxxviii tells of Ezechias'sillness, cure, and song of thanksgiving; lastly xxxix tells of the embassy sent by Merodach Baladan and the Prophet'sreproof of Ezechias.
Second Isaias
The second collection (xl-lvi) deals throughout with Israel's restoration from the Babylonian exile. The main lines of the division as proposed by the JesuitCondamineare as follows: a first section is concerned with the mission and work of Cyrus; it is made up of five pieces: (a) xl-xli: calling of Cyrus to be Yahweh's instrument in the restoration of Israel; (b) xlii, 8-xliv, 5: Israel's deliverance from exile; (c) xliv, 6-xlvi, 12: Cyrus shall free Israel and allow Jerusalemto be built; (d) xlvii: ruin of Babylon; (e) xlviii: past dealings of God with his people are an earnest for the future. Next to be taken up is another group of utterances, styled by Germanscholars "Ebed-Jahweh-Lieder"; it is made up of xlix-lv (to which xlii, 1-7, should be joined) together with lx-lxii. In this section we hear of the calling of Yahweh's servant (xlix, 1-li, 16); then of Israel'sglorioushome-coming (li, 17-lii, 12); afterwards is described the servant of Yahweh ransoming his people by his sufferings and death (xlii, 1-7; lii, 13-15; liii, 1-12); then follows a glowing visionof the new Jerusalem (liv, 1-lv, 13, and lx, 1-lxii, 12). Ch. lvi, 1-8, develops this idea, that all the upright of heart, no matter what their former legal status, will be admitted to Yahweh's new people. In lvi, 9-lvii, the Prophetinveighs against the idolatry and immoralityso rife among the Jews; the sham piety with which their fasts were observed (lvii). In lix the Prophetrepresents the people confessingtheir chief sins; this humble acknowledgment of their guilt prompts Yahweh to stoop to those who have "turned from rebellion". A dramatic description of God's vengeance (lxiii, 1-7) is followed by a prayer for mercy (lxiii, 7-lxiv, 11), and the book closes upon the picture of the punishment of the wickedand the happiness of the good. Many perplexing questions are raised by the exegesis of the "Second Isaias". The "Ebed-Jahweh-Lieder", in particular, suggest many difficulties. Who is this "servant of Yahweh"? Does the title apply to the same person throughout the ten chapters? Had the writer in view some historicalpersonage of past ages, or one belonging to his own time, or the Messias to come, or even some ideal person? Most commentatorssee in the "servant of Yahweh" an individual. But is that individual one of the great historical figures of Israel? No satisfactoryanswer has been given. The names of Moses, David, Ozias, Ezechias, Isaias, Jeremias, Josias, Zorobabel, Jechonias, and Eleazar have all been suggested as being the person. Catholicexegesis has always pointed out the fact that all the features of the "servant of Yahweh" found their complete realization in the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He therefore should be regarded as the one individual described by the Prophet. The "Second Isaias" gives rise to other more critical and less important problems. With the exception of one or two passages, the point of view throughout this section is that of the Babylonian Captivity; there is an unmistakable difference between the style of these twenty-seven chaptersand that of the "First Isaias"; moreover, the theologicalideas of xl-lxvi show a decided advance on those found in the first thirty-nine chapters. If this be true, does it not follow that xl-lxvi are not by the same author as the propheciesof the first collection, and may there not be good grounds for attributing the authorship of these chaptersto a "second Isaias" living towards the close of the Babylonian Captivity? Such is the contention of most of the modern non-Catholic scholars.
This is hardly the place for a discussion of so intricate a question. We therefore limit ourselves to stating the position of Catholic scholarship on this point. This is clearly set out in the decision issued by the Pontifical Biblical Commission, 28 June, 1908. (1) Admitting the existenceof trueprophecy; (2) There is no reason why "Isaias and the other Prophetsshould utter propheciesconcerning only those things which were about to take place immediately or after a short space of time" and not "things that should be fulfilled after many ages". (3) Nor does anything postulate that the Prophetsshould "always address as their hearers, not those who belonged to the future, but only those who were present and contemporary, so that they could be understood by them". Therefore it cannot be asserted that "the second part of the Book of Isaias (xl-lxvi), in which the Prophetaddresses as one living amongst them, not the Jewswho were the contemporaries of Isaias, but the Jews mourning in the Exile of Babylon, cannot have for its author Isaias himself, who was dead long before, but must be attributed to some unknown Prophetliving among the exiles". In other words, although the author of Isaias xl-lxvi does speak from the point of view of the Babylonian Captivity, yet this is no proof that he must have lived and written in those times. (4) "The philological argument from language and style against the identity of the author of the Bookof Isaias is not to be considered weighty enough to compel a man of judgment, familiar with Hebrew and criticism, to acknowledge in the same book a plurality of authors". Differences of language and style between the parts of the book are neither denied nor underrated; it is asserted only that such as they appear, they do not compel one to admit the plurality of authors. (5) "There are no solid arguments to the fore, even taken cumulatively, to provethat the book of Isaias is to be attributed not to Isaias himself alone, but to two or rather to many authors".
Appreciation of the work of Isaias
It may not be useless shortly to set forth the prominent features of the great Prophet, doubtless one of the most striking personalities in Hebrewhistory. Without holding any official position, it fell to the lot of Isaias to take an active part during well nigh forty troublesome years in controlling the policy of his country. His advice and rebukes were sometimes unheeded, but experience finally taught the rulers of Juda that to part from the Prophet's views meant always a set-back for the political situation of Juda. In order to understand the trend of his policy it is necessary to rememberby what principle it was animated. This principle he derived from his unshaken faith in God governing the world, and particularly His own people and the nations coming in contact with the latter. The people of Juda, forgetful of their God, given to idolatrous practices and socialdisorders of many kinds, had paid little heed to former warnings. One thing only alarmed them, namely that hostile nations were threatening Judaon all sides; but were they not the chosen people of God? Certainly He would not allow His own nation to be destroyed, even as others had been. In the meantime prudence dictated that the best possible means be taken to save themselves from present dangers. Syria and Israel were plotting against Judaand her king; Juda and her king would appeal to the mighty nation of the North, and later to the King of Egypt.
Isaias would not hear aught of this short-sighted policy, grounded only on humanprudence, or a falsereligiousconfidence, and refusing to look beyond the moment. Judawas in terrible straits; God alone could saveher; but the first conditionlaid down for the manifestation of His power was moraland social reformation. Syrians, Ephraimites, Assyrians, and all the rest were but the instruments of the judgment of God, the purpose of which is the overthrow of sinners. Certainly Yahweh will not allow His people to be utterly destroyed; His covenant He will keep; but it is vain to hopethat well-deserved chastisement may be escaped. From this view of the designs of God never did the faith of Isaias waver. He first proclaimed this message at the beginning of the reign of Achaz. The king and his counsellors saw no salvation for Judaexcept in an alliance with, that is an acknowledgment of vassalage to, Assyria. This the Prophet opposed with all his might. With his keen foresight he had clearly perceived that the real danger to Juda was not from Ephraimand Syria, and that the intervention of Assyria in the affairs of Palestine involved a complete overthrow of the balance of power along the Mediterranean coast. Moreover, the Prophetentertained no doubt but that sooner or later a conflict between the rival empires of the Euphrates and the Nile must arise, and then their hosts would swarm over the land of Juda. To him it was clear that the course proposed by Juda'sself-conceited politicians was like the madflight of "silly doves", throwing themselves headlong into the net. Isaias's advice was not followed and one by one the consequences he had foretold were realized. However, he continued to proclaim his propheticalviews of the current events. Every new event of importance is by him turned into a lesson not only to Judabut to all the neighbouring nations. Damascushas fallen; so will the drunkardsand revellers of Samariasee the ruin of their city. Tyre boasts of her wealthand impregnable position; her doom is no less decreed, and her fall will all the more astound the world. Assyriaherself, fattened with the spoils of all nations, Assyria"the rod of God'svengeance", when she will have accomplished her providentialdestiny, shall meet with her fate. God has thus decreedthe doom of all nations for the accomplishment of His purposes and the establishment of a new Israel cleansed from all past defilements.
Judean politicians towards the end of the reign of Ezechiashad planned an alliance with the King of Egypt against Assyriaand carefully concealed their purpose from the Prophet. When the latter came to know the preparations for rebellion, it was already too late to undo what had been done. But he could at least give vent to his anger (see Isaiah 30), and we know both from the Bible and Sennacherib's own account of the campaign of 701 how the Assyrian army routed the Egyptiansat Altaku (Elteqeh of Joshua 19:44), captured Accaron, and sent a detachment to ravage Juda; Jerusalem, closely invested, was savedonly by the payment of an enormous ransom. The vindication of Isaias's policy, however, was not yet complete. The Assyrian army withdrew; but Sennacherib, apparently thinking it unsafe to leave in his wake a fortified city like Jerusalem, demanded the immediate surrender of Ezechias'scapital. At the command of Ezechias, no answer was given to the message; but the king humblybade Isaias to intercedefor the city. The Prophet had for the king a reassuring message. But the respite in the Judeancapital was short. Soon a new Assyrianembassy arrived with a letter from the king containing an ultimatum. In the panic-stricken city there was a man of whom Sennacherib had taken no account; it was by him that the answer was to be given to the ultimatum of the proudAssyrians: "The virgin, the daughter of Sion hath despisedthee and laughed thee to scorn; . . . He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow into it. . . . By the way that he came, he shall return, and into this city he shall not come, saith the Lord" (xxxvii, 22, 33). We know in reality how a sudden catastrophe overtook the Assyrian army and God's promise was fulfilled. This crowningvindication of the Divinely inspiredpolicy of Isaias prepared the hearts of the Jews for the religiousreformation brought about by Ezechias, no doubt along lines laid down by the Prophet.
In reviewing the political side of Isaias's public life, we have already seen something of his religious and socialideas; all these view-pointswere indeed most intimately connected in his teaching. It may be well now to dwell a little more fully on this part of the Prophet'smessage. Isaias's description of the religiouscondition of Judain the latter part of the eighth century is anything but flattering. Jerusalem is compared to Sodomand Gomorrah; apparently the bulk of the people were superstitious rather than religious. Sacrifices were offeredout of routine; witchcraft and divinationwere in honour; nay more, foreign deities were openly invokedside by side with the true God, and in secret the immoral worshipof some of these idols was widely indulged in, the higher-classand the Court itself giving in this regard an abominable example. Throughout the kingdomthere was corruption of higher officials, ever-increasing luxury among the wealthy, wanton haughtiness of women, ostentation among the middle-class people, shameful partiality of the judges, unscrupulous greed of the owners of large estates, and oppression of the poor and lowly. The Assyrian suzerainty did not change anything in this woeful state of affairs. In the eyes of Isaias this order of things was intolerable; and he never tired repeating it could not last. The first condition of socialreformation was the downfall of the unjust and corrupt rulers; the Assyrians were the means appointed by God to level their pride and tyranny with the dust. With their mistaken ideas about God, the nation imaginedHe did not concern Himself about the dispositions of His worshippers. But Godloathessacrificesofferedby ". . . hands full of blood. Washyourselves, be clean, . . . relieve the oppressed, judgefor the fatherless, defend the widow. . . . But if you will not, . . . the sword shall devour you" (i, 15-20). God here appears as the avenger of disregarded humanjustice as much as of His Divine rights. He cannot and will not let injustice, crime, and idolatry go unpunished. The destruction of sinners willinaugurate an era of regeneration, and a little circle of menfaithfulto God will be the first-fruits of a new Israel free from past defilementsand ruled by a scion of David's House. With the reign of Ezechiasbegan a period of religiousrevival. Just how far the reform extended we are not able to state; local sanctuariesaround which heathenish abuses had gathered were suppressed, and many 'asherîm and masseboth were destroyed. It is true the times were not ripe for a radical change, and there was little response to the appealof the Prophet for moralamendment and redress of socialabuses.
The Fathers of the Church, echoing the eulogy of Jesus, son of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus 48:25-28), agree that Isaias was the greatest of the literaryProphets(Eusebius, "Præp. Evang.", v, 4, P.G., XXII, 370; "Synops. Script. S.", among the works of St. Athan., P.G., XXXVIII, 363; St. Cyril of Jerusalem, "In Is., Prooem.", P.G., LXX, 14; St. Isidore of Pelusium, "Epist.", i, 42, P.G., LXXVIII, 208; Theodoret., "In Is. Argum.", P.G., LXXXI, 216; St. Jerome, "Prol. in Is.", P.L., XXIV, 18; "Præf. ad Paul. et Eustoch.", P.L., XXXII, 769; City of God XVIII.29). Isaias's poetical genius was in every respect worthy of his lofty position as a Prophet. He is unsurpassed in poetry, descriptive, lyric, or elegiac. There is in his compositions an uncommon elevation and majesty of conception, and an unparalleled wealth of imagery, never departing, however, from the utmost propriety, elegance, and dignity. He possessed an extraordinary power of adapting his language both to occasions and audiences; sometimes he displays most exquisite tenderness, and at other times austere severity; he successively assumes a mother's pleading and irresistible tone, and the stern manner of an implacable judge, now making use of delicate irony to bring home to his hearers what he would have them understand, and then pitilessly shatteringtheir fondest illusions or wielding threats which strike like mighty thunderbolts. His rebukes are neither impetuous like those of Oseenor blustering like those of Amos; he never allows the conviction of his mindor the warmth of his heart to overdraw any feature or to overstep the limits assigned by the most exquisite taste. Exquisite taste indeed is one of the leading features of the Prophet'sstyle. This style is rapid, energetic, full of lifeand colour, and withal always chasteand dignified. It moreover manifests a wonderful command of language. It has been justly said that no Prophetever had the same command of noble thoughts; it may be as justlyadded that never perhaps did any manutter lofty thoughts in more beautiful language. St. Jerome rejected the idea that Isaias's prophecieswere true poetry in the full sense of the word (Præf. in Is., P.L., XXVIII, 772). Nevertheless the authority of the illustrious Robert Lowth, in his "Lectures on the SacredPoetry of the Hebrews" (1753), esteemed "the whole book of Isaiahto be poetical, a few passages excepted, which if brought together, would not at most exceed the bulk of five or six chapters". This opinion of Lowth, at first scarcely noticed, became more and more general in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and is now common among Biblicalscholars.
In addition to general and special commentaries consult: CHEYNE, Book of Isaiah chronologically arranged (London, 1870); IDEM, Prophecies of Isaiah (London, 1880); IDEM, Introd. to the Book of Isaiah(London, 1895); DRIVER, Isaiah: his life and times and the writings which bear his name (London, 1888); LOWTH, Isaiah, translation, dissert. and notes (London, 1778); SKINNER, Isaiah(Cambridge, 1896); G. A. SMITH, Book of Isaiah (Expositor's Bible, 1888-1890); W. R. SMITH, The Prophets of Israel and their place in history (London, 1882); KNABENBAUER, Comment. in Isaiam prophetam (Paris, 1887); CONDAMINE, Livre d'Isaie, trad. critique avec notes et comment. (Paris, 1905; a volume of introduction to the same is forthcoming); LE HIR, Les trois grandes prophètes, Isaïe, Jérémie, Ezéchiel (Paris, 1877); IDEM, Etudes Bibliques (Paris, 1878); DELITZSCH, Commentar über das Buch Jesaja; tr. (Edinburgh, 1890); DUHM, Das Buch Jesaia(Gottingen, 1892); GESENIUS, Der Prophet Jesaja (Leipzig, 1820-1821); EWALD, Die Propheten des Alten Bundes (Tübingen, 1840-1841); tr. by F. SMITH, (London, 1876—); HITZIG, Der Prophet Jesaja übers. und ausgelegt (Heidelberg, 1833); KITTEL, Der Prophet Jesaia, 6th ed. of DILLMANN's work of the same title (Leipzig, 1898); KNABENBAUER, Erklärung des Proph. Isaias (Freiburg, 1881); MARTI, Das Buch Jesaja (Tübingen, 1900).
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08179b.htm
THE MARTYRDOM OF ISAIAH
[Chapter 1]
1 And it came to pass in the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah king of Judah that he
2 called Manasseh his son. Now he was his only one. And he called him into the presence of Isaiah the son of Amoz the prophet; and into the presence of Josab the son of Isaiah.
6b, 7 And whilst he (Hezekiah) gave commands, Josab the son of Isaiah standing by, Isaiah said to Hezekiah the king, but not in the presence of Manasseh only did he say unto him: 'As the Lord liveth, whose name has not been sent into this world, [and as the Beloved of my Lord liveth], and as the Spirit which speaketh in me liveth, all these commands and these words shall be made of none effect by Manasseh thy son, and through the agency of his hands I shall depart mid the torture of
8 my body. And Sammael Malchira shall serve Manasseh, and execute all his desire, and he shall
9 become a follower of Beliar rather than of me. And many in Jerusalem and in Judaea he shall cause to abandon the true faith, and Beliar shall dwell in Manasseh, and by his hands I shall be
10 sawn asunder.' And when Hezekiah heard these words he wept very bitterly, and rent his garments,
11 and placed earth upon his head, and fell on his face. And Isaiah said unto him: 'The counsel of
12 Sammael against Manasseh is consummated: nought shall avail thee.' And on that day Hezekiah
13 resolved in his heart to slay Manasseh his son. And Isaiah said to Hezekiah: ['The Beloved hath made of none effect thy design, and] the purpose of thy heart shall not be accomplished, for with this calling have I been called [and I shall inherit the heritage of the Beloved].'
[Chapter 2]
1 And it came to pass after that Hezekiah died and Manasseh became king, that he did not remember the commands of Hezekiah his father but forgat them, and Sammael abode in Manasseh
2 and clung fast to him. And Manasseh forsook the service of the God of his father, and he served
3 Satan and his angels and his powers. And he turned aside the house of his father which had been
4 before the face of Hezekiah the words of wisdom and from the service of God. And Manasseh turned aside his heart to serve Beliar; for the angel of lawlessness, who is the ruler of this world, is Beliar, whose name is Matanbuchus. And he delighted in Jerusalem because of Manasseh, and he made him strong in apostatizing (Israel) and in the lawlessness which was spread abroad in Jerusalem
5 And witchcraft and magic increased and divination and augulation, and fornication, [and adultery], and the persecution of the righteous by Manasseh and [Belachira, and] Tobia the Canaanite, and John
6 of Anathoth, and by (Zadok> the chief of the works. And the rest of the acts, behold they are written
7 in the book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. And when Isaiah the soll of Amoz saw the lawlessness which was being perpetratcd in Jerusalem and the worship of Satan and his wantonness, he
8 withdrew from Jerusalem and settled in Bethlehem of Judah. And there also there was much
9 lawlessness, and withdrawing from Bethlehem he settled on a mountain in a desert place. [And Micaiah the prophet, and the aged Ananias, and Joel and Habakkuk, and his son Josab, and many of the faithful who believed in the ascension into heaven, withdrew and settled on the mountain.]
10 They were all clothed with garments of hair, and they were all prophets. And they had nothing with them but were naked, and they all lamented with a great lamentation because of the going
11 astray of Israel. And these eat nothing save wild herbs which they gathered on the mountains, and having cooked them, they lived thereon together with Isaiah the prophet. And they spent two years of
12 days on the mountains and hills. [And after this, whilst they were in thc desert, there was a certain man in Samaria named Belchlra, of the family of Zedekiah, the son of Chenaan, a false prophet whose dwelling was in Bethlehem. Now Hezekiah the son of Chanani, who was the brother of his father, and in the days of Ahab king of Israel had been the teacher of the 400 prophets of Baal,
13 had himself smitten and reproved Micaiah the son of Amada the prophet. And he, Micaiah, had been reproved by Ahab and cast into prison. (And he was) with Zedekiah the prophet: they were
14 with Ahaziah the son of Ahab, king in Samaria. And Elijah the prophet of Tebon of Gilead was reproving Ahaziah and Samaria, and prophesied regarding Ahaziah that he should die on his bed of sickness, and that Samaria should be delivered into the hand of Leba Nasr because he had slain
15 the prophets of God. And when the false prophets, who were with Ahaziah the son of Ahab and
16 their teacher Gemarias of Mount Joel had heard -now he was brother of Zedekiah -when they had heard, they persuaded Ahaziah the king of Aguaron and slew Micaiah.
[Chapter 3]
1 And Belchlra recognized and saw the place of Isaiah and the prophets who were with him; for he dwelt in the region of Bethlehem, and was an adherent of Manasseh. And he prophesied falsely in Jerusalem, and many belonging to Jerusalem were confederate with him, and he was a Samaritan.
2 And it came to pass when Alagar Zagar, king of Assyria, had come and captured Samaria and taken the nine (and a half) tribes captive, and led them away to the mountains of the Medes and the
3 rivers of Tazon; this (Belchira) while still a youth, had escaped and come to Jerusalem in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, but he walked not in the ways of his father of Samaria; for he feared
4 Hezekiah. And he was found in the days of Hezekiah speaking words of lawlessness in Jerusalem.
5 And the servants of Hezekiah accused him, and he made his escape to the region of Bethlehem.
6 And they persuaded . . . And Belchlra accused Isaiah and the prophets who were with him, saying: 'Isaiah and those who are with him prophesy against Jerusalem and against the cities of Judah that they shall be laid waste and (against the children of Judah and) Benjamin also that they shall go into captivity, and also against thee, O lord the king, that thou shalt go (bound) with hooks
8 and iron chains': But they prophesy falsely against Israel and Judah. And Isaiah himself hath
9 said: 'I see more than Moses the prophet.' But Moses said: 'No man can see God and live':
10 and Isaiah hath said: 'I have seen God and behold I live.' Know, therefore, O king, that he is lying. And Jerusalem also he hath called Sodom, and the princes of Judah and Jerusalem he hath declared to be the people of Gomorrah. And he brought many accusations against Isaiah and the
11 prophets before Manasseh. But Beliar dwelt in the heart of Manasseh and in the heart of the
12 princes of Judah and Benjamin and of the eunuchs and of the councillors of the king. And the words of Belchira pleased him [exceedingly], and he sent and seized Isaiah.
[Chapter 5]
1b, 2 And he sawed him asunder with a wood-saw. And when Isaiah was being sawn in sunder Balchlra stood up, accusing him, and all the false prophets stood up, laughing and rejoicing because
3 of Isaiah. And Balchlra, with the aid of Mechembechus, stood up before Isaiah, [laughing]
4 deriding; And Belchlra said to Isaiah: 'Say: "I have lied in all that I have spoken, and likewise
5 the ways of Manasseh are good and right. And the ways also of Balchlra and of his associates are
6, 7 good."' And this he said to him when he began to be sawn in sunder. But Isaiah was (absorbed)
8 in a vision of the Lord, and though his eyes were open, he saw them . And Balchlra spake thus to Isaiah: 'Say what I say unto thee and I will turn their heart, and I will compel Manasseh
9 and the princes of Judah and the people and all Jerusalem to reverence thee.' And Isaiah answered and said: 'So far as I have utterance (I say): Damned and accursed be thou and all thy powers and
10, 11 all thy house. For thou canst not take (from me) aught save the skin of my body.' And they
12 seized and sawed in sunder Isaiah, the son of Amoz, with a wood-saw. And Manasseh and
13 Balchlra and the false prophets and the princes and the people [and] all stood looking on. And to the prophets who were with him he said before he had been sawn in sunder: 'Go ye to the region
14 of Tyre and Sidon; for for me only hath God mingled the cup.' And when Isaiah was being sawn in sunder, he neither cried aloud nor wept, but his lips spake with the Holy Spirit until he was sawn in twain.
From The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament
by R.H. Charles, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913
Scanned and edited by Joshua Williams, Northwest Nazarene College, 1995
by R.H. Charles, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913
Scanned and edited by Joshua Williams, Northwest Nazarene College, 1995