RT Article
T1 Finding Josiah in Isaiah: Thinking on a Superscription about the Absence of a King
JF Biblical research
VO 62
SP 6
OP 25
A1 Davidson, Steed V.
LA English
YR 2017
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1649869037
AB The opening superscription of Isaiah provides a historica lcontext for the prophet’s vision that restricts the actual history that the book covers. This historical period ends with Hezekiah and notably leaves out the period of Josiah and the Deuteronomic reforms. I argue here that the failure of the Josianic reforms leads Isaiah traditionists to focus on Hezekiah as a more suitable monarchal figure around which to articulate a future vision for Jerusalem. Through an examination of the historical and theological claims made by the superscription, Iassert that the Isaiah traditions opt for Hezekiah over Josiah as a result of a diminished view of Josiah in the post-exilic period.Hezekiah rather than Josiah serves as a more suitable model of the successful monarch whose actions guarantee the security of Jerusalem. These are important concerns for the Isaiah traditionists who build their vision of the restored Jerusalem around key issues of national security, international relations, and empire.
K1 Deuteronomistic history (Biblical criticism)
K1 Hezekiah, King of Judah
K1 Isaiah, (Biblical prophet)
K1 Monarchy