The book of Isaiah is a composite work whose formation took place over a long period of time, incorporating the work of many different hands rather than the work of a single author. A crucial stage in this process came with the Jewish return from Babylonian exile, and the subsequent efforts at restoration. In this new context, how were the older Isaianic oracles to be seen? What did they say? Isaiah After Exile examines this question in depth from the point of view of the book's formation. Jacob Stromberg illuminates the textual hermeneutics embedded in the post-exilic shape of Isaiah, contributing to our understanding of the dynamics of scriptural formation in this influential period of Jewish history. The author of Third Isaiah is shown to have edited the book in line with his reading of it to project the old word into the new post-exilic situation.
Stromberg unfolds this argument in three parts. The first defines Third Isaiah's final form, finding the work of its author especially in its 'frame' (56.1-8; 65-66). The second part analyzes this 'frame' for references to earlier Isaianic oracles, uncovering allusions to older material from throughout the book. A portrait emerges of the author of Third Isaiah as a reader of the book, providing an important key to unlock the door on his work as a redactor - the premise being that his hermeneutics as a reader would inevitably reflect his hermeneutics as a redactor. Working in the light of this portrait, the third part examines the author of Third Isaiah as a redactor of the book, uncovering several examples throughout Isaiah where probability seems to favor this hand at work.

The book of Isaiah is a product of history. The nature of that history and what it means that Isaiah is a product of it are hardly matters of consensus in the field. Nonetheless, Isaianic scholarship has put its collective finger on the crux of the methodological problem. At the heart of an historical understanding of this prophetic book lies a consideration of the word "history" in two distinct but related applications. First, what historical processes led to the book's final form? How did Isaiah become a book? And second, what kind of historical representation does the book offer to the reader? How does Isaiah present the past? For most scholars, answering either question involves asking the other. To understand better the history of Isaiah, this volume of essays devotes itself to these two lines of inquiry and their relationship.

This new book in the "T&T Clark" approaches series introduces students and general readers to the book of "Isaiah". "An Introduction to the Study of Isaiah" provides readers with a guide to the central issues arising from various approaches to this influential prophetic text. Readers will be introduced to the diverse methods and results of modern Isaianic study. They will see how these approaches differ from, and relate to one another. After a brief introduction, this book gets right at the heart of the current diversity in "Isaiah" studies by identifying the trends in, and tracing the history of contemporary Isaianic scholarship. With this groundwork in place, this study examines various theories regarding the formation of "Isaiah", ways in which scholars connect "Isaiah" to its historical context, the contributions of literary theory to understanding "Isaiah", and finally theological approaches to the book. Because of its emphasis on method, this book will be important for students concerned with negotiating the vast and diverse body of scholarly literature that now surrounds this central biblical book. These guides have been developed for those taking a course in biblical studies in theological or ministerial education, and are designed to introduce the reader to the various approaches to the study of the bible. The series is ecumenical, and all the writers are professionally engaged in the teaching of biblical studies.