Paul V. Niskanen

Berit Olam: Isaiah 56-66 (Berit Olam (The Everlasting Covenant): Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry) Paul V. Niskanen

The last chapters of the book of Isaiah offer a vision of new hope at the dawn of the postexilic period. The dense and complex imagery of light, espousal, and victory gives expression to the joyful reality of a return to Jerusalem and to the as-yet-unrealized dreams of rebuilding and repopulating what has been laid to waste.Trito-Isaiah?s proclamation of God?s salvation or victory appears both as a brilliant light and a terrible darkness in these chapters. For while Yahweh?s triumph means rejoicing for his righteous servants, it portends unspeakable horror for those who rebel against him.