The destroyed city as grazing space: Interpretive possibilities in Isaiah 5.17, 17.2, 27.10, and 32.14
In four instances, the book of Isaiah depicts a destroyed city as a grazing space for domestic livestock (5.17, 17.2, 27.10, and 32.14). Scholars typically insist that such language, when it is understood in its proper historical context, conveys a straightforward, negative image of destruction. By...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage
[2019]
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| In: |
Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2019, Volume: 43, Issue: 4, Pages: 678-692 |
| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
Bible. Jesaja 27,10
B Landscape B Destruction B Redaction B canonical B Bible. Jesaja 17,2 B Isaiah B City-lament B Agroecology B Bible. Jesaja 32,14 B Archeology B Prophets B Bible. Jesaja 5,17 B Environment (Art) |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | In four instances, the book of Isaiah depicts a destroyed city as a grazing space for domestic livestock (5.17, 17.2, 27.10, and 32.14). Scholars typically insist that such language, when it is understood in its proper historical context, conveys a straightforward, negative image of destruction. By contrast, this essay proposes that the grazing-space topos entextualizes a concrete phenomenon in which ancient city spaces underwent revegetation in the aftermath of their demolition, attracting domestic flocks and herds. Historical city destruction therefore contributed to a larger agroecological story through which survivors might have begun to imagine the renewal of their livelihoods. Correspondingly, the grazing-space topos served Isaiah's author-redactors as a theological 'pivot point' by which to express their hope for restoration. Thus, a historically responsible interpretation of the topos as it appears in the book of Isaiah today should respect its capacity for both negative and positive interpretive possibilities. |
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| ISSN: | 1476-6728 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0309089218786087 |