Isaiah (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Prophetic Books)
Overview
The book of Isaiah has been regarded from the earliest Christian period as a key part of the Old Testament's witness to Jesus Christ. This commentary by highly regarded Old Testament scholar J. Gordon McConville draws on the best of biblical scholarship as well as the Christian tradition to offer a substantive and useful commentary on Isaiah.
McConville treats Isaiah as an ancient Israelite document that speaks to 21st-century Christians. He examines the text section by section--offering a fresh translation, textual notes, paragraph-level commentary, and theological reflection--and shows how the prophetic words are framed to persuade audiences.
Grounded in rigorous scholarship but useful for those who preach and teach, this volume is the second in a new series on the Prophets. Series volumes are both critically engaged and sensitive to the theological contributions of the text. Series editors are Mark J. Boda, McMaster Divinity College, and J. Gordon McConville, University of Gloucestershire.
- Offers a substantive and useful commentary on Isaiah
- Treats Isaiah as an ancient Israelite document that speaks to 21st-century Christians
- Examines the text section by section and offers a fresh translation, textual notes, paragraph-level commentary, and theological reflection
Readers of a commentary on Isaiah may hope that it will help them grasp the book of Isaiah as a whole, the way different parts relate to different contexts, the theological significance of these different parts, how Isaiah looks when read in light of the New Testament, what we might learn from modern study of it, and the actual meaning of individual chapters. McConville gives sensible and illuminating answers to all these questions.
—John Goldingay, senior professor emeritus of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary
McConville showcases the strengths of traditional exegetical practice even as he incorporates newer trends in biblical scholarship. He is refreshingly modest about our ability to contextualize the Isaiah traditions historically, demonstrating how the book itself subordinates historical reference to thematic patterning. His commentary offers a rich tapestry of theological insights on one of the Bible's best-loved, most-influential books. He situates Isaiah skillfully within the overarching witness of the Christian Bible while remaining scrupulously accountable to the biblical text.
—Stephen B. Chapman, associate professor of Old Testament, Duke University
Long admired as a world-class scholar on Deuteronomy and the Prophets, McConville leverages considerable insight and theological sensitivity in this magisterial commentary on Isaiah. With judicious comments throughout and fresh theological interpretation, this is a must-have resource that will inform scholar, student, and minister. Highly recommended!
—Heath A. Thomas, president and professor of Old Testament, Oklahoma Baptist University
- Title: Isaiah
- Author: J. Gordon McConville
- Series: Baker Commentary on the Old Testament
- Publisher: Baker Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Pages: 781
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Isaiah › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780801030949, 9781493436774, 9781493436767, 0801030943, 1493436775, 1493436767
- Resource ID: LLS:SHBKRCPRPHTCBKS
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-15T06:40:39Z
Reviews
0 ratings
Elliott Faure
3/29/2024
Here is the Amazon reviewers statement: "Here’s a major new commentary on the pivotal OT book of Isaiah in the newly emerging Baker Commentary on the Old Testament (BCOT) series. I had seen Mr. McConville’s names on some older works, but had not been immersed in his writings overall. I would judge this new work as a major commentary on Isaiah. With 728 pages of text this is a thorough work, but not overly prolix as Isaiah gets two volumes in many series. The work itself is in-depth, scholarly, clearly written, and winsome. The only downside is that for me it’s simply too liberal in places. The discerning reader can still glean a great deal. These traits become quickly obvious in the Introduction. On the one hand, there’s good background material and a sufficient discussion of structure. On the other hand, the obsession with redaction skews conclusions at times and can even read like old-style redaction. The Introduction also is a bit brief. The commentary proper is much more valuable even if some underlying assumptions remain. It’s value is clearly its exegesis. On that score it’s excellent. The footnotes show careful scholarship too. Perhaps the theology is not the caliber of the exegesis, but it still has value. This book will give an alternate viewpoint in some cases to, say, the NICOT, but it could easily be turned to profitable ends and so I recommend it. I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255."
Dan Phillips
3/20/2023
For those who care (as I do): the preview at Amazon indicates that McConville rejects the indication of 1:1 and affirmations in the NT that Isaiah wrote the entire book.
