Second Isaiah was written in the sixth century b.c.e., in the years just before the fall of the mighty Babylonian Empire, by an anonymous prophet whom history has erroneously identified with the real Isaiah (born ca. 765 b.c.e.). Scholars know Second Isaiah was written by someone other than Isaiah because the contexts of these prophecies are so very different. When Second Isaiah was written, the prophet believed that Israel's time of suffering was drawing to a close. There was, he insisted, a new age upon them, a time of hope, peace, and renewed national prosperity. The main thrust of the prophet's argument was intended to rally the spirits of a people devastated by war and conquest. One of the most famous examples of this optimistic tone is the well-known and beloved Song of the Suffering Servant, which is found in Chapters 52-53, and about which Blenkinsopp has some challenging new ideas.

The final chapters of Second Isaiah, however, are in an entirely different key as it becomes clear that the new world the prophet foresaw earlier was not going to come to pass. This despair finds its most poignant expression in the final section of the Book of Isaiah, which Blenkinsopp will address in his forthcoming third volume.

This book, a volume in the Old Testament Library series, explores chapters 40-66 of the book of Isaiah.

The Old Testament Library provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The contributors are scholars of international standing.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Complete the Old Testament series of the Word Biblical Commentary with Dr. David Clines monumental study of Job.Volume 18B is devoted entirely to the response of the Lord from the tempest to Job, together with the replies of Job (Job 38 42), presenting the Lord's own explanation of his manifold purposes in creation and bringing to an unexpected conclusion Job's dramatic quest for justice.
Difficult portions of the Hebrew text are thoroughly handled, but the commentary is written for the non-technical reader and scholar alike. Clinesuncovers the driving force of the argument and the drama of the book. The Explanation sectionsat the end of each chapter brilliantly summarize the views of the speakers and offer thoughtful reflections on their theological value.
The volume concludes with a unique 250-page bibliography of virtually everything that has been written about the Book of Job, including its influence on art, music and literature.

Features include: Complete new translation and verse by verse commentary on the Book of Job, in constant dialogue with other commentators Extensive scholarly notes on the Hebrew text of the book and its many obscure terms Unparalleled bibliography gives sweeping coverage of all aspects of the Book of Job from scholarly books to art, literature, and music "