“Lengthen Your Tent-Cords” : The Metaphorical World of Israel's Household in the Book of Isaiah Hardback

by Brittany (Roberts Wesleyan College) Kim

Part of the Siphrut series

Hardback

Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks

Description

The last few decades have seen a gradual shift in Isaianic studies as scholars have begun to give greater attention to the bookâ€™s literary features rather than focusing predominantly on the question of its sources.

Brittany Kimâ€™s study takes a literary approach, exploring how the book portrays Israel and its capital city using five metaphors that arise from the realm of household relationships: sons/children, daughter(s), mother, wife, and servant(s). Drawing selectively on the resources of metaphor studies and rhetorical criticism, Kim examines each metaphor separately to determine its rhetorical import and, if possible, to trace its development throughout the book.

From the beginning of Isaiah, in which Zion appears as a vulnerable but promiscuous daughter in need of both paternal protection and discipline, through the bookâ€™s end, when her marital relationship has been restored and Zion has been transformed into a radiant and caring mother, Kim follows the thread of these five themes, showing ultimately how and why only those among yhwhâ€™s children who willingly take on the role of servant experience the joy and delight of Zionâ€™s maternal care. Pulling together insights from individual studies, â€œLengthen Your Tent-Cordsâ€ draws connections and highlights contrasts among the various metaphors.

Kim concludes by examining how Israel and Zion fit into YHWHâ€™s royal household.