After conceding that Nebuchadnezzar did not receive any wages from Tyre, YHWH promised to hand over Egypt to the Babylonian king as compensation. Stated simply, YHWH promises to repay Nebuchadnezzar for his tireless work against Tyre. Although unaware, Ezekiel declares that the Babylonians “worked for [YHWH]” (אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לִי). As such, he promises to hand … Read more
This paper will argue that the themes of wisdom and power are central to the theological message and purpose of the book of Daniel, and have been under-appreciated in both exegetical and theological treatments of the book. The argument will be advanced along three lines. First, the theological message of the book, expressed by these … Read more
The identification of נגיד (ruler or leader) in Daniel 9:25–26 is contested. Some scholars believe they are one and the same person (see Gentry 2018; Steinmann 2008), whereas others identify two different people (Hamilton 2014; Harmann 2007). Gentry (Gentry 2018, 623) appeals to the lack of “contextual signs” indicating a change of subject. Hamilton (Hamilton … Read more
Isaiah 44 exhibits a recursive structure wherein mirrored sections of the text facilitate comparison and cooperate to portray idol-makers as a perversion of YHWH, the creator, as he is presented in Genesis 1-2. Isaiah 44.1-8 and 44.21-28 form the frame of this chapter and contain numerous grammatical, linguistic, and structural similarities which invite readers to … Read more
The book of Isaiah has a complicated literary history, and its perceived composition history has contributed to debates around its structure and interpretation. For some time, the critical consensus has been that Isaiah is divided into three major sections (Isa 1–39; 40–55; 56–66) composed at different times by different authors (e.g., Duhm). Redaction-critical studies have … Read more
In my 2024 dissertation, Ezekiel 26 as a Case Study for Interpreting Problematic Prophecy, I argued that Ezekiel employs stereotypical language to stylize Tyre’s judgment after the pattern of YHWH’s condemnation of Israel and the nation’s oppressors. While Tyre’s destruction did not occur in literal accordance with Ezekiel’s words, Ezekiel’s prophecy should be considered fulfilled … Read more
In Isaiah chapters 40-44 the author attacked idolatry and paganism, even going as far as calling it “nothing” (41:29) and satirically mocking those that worship idols (44:9-20). This was used polemically to argue for the superiority and incompatibility of YHWH in comparison to the pagan gods of the nations around Judah, especially the Babylonian deities. … Read more
One of the significant theological contributions of the Literary (or Latter) Prophets in the Old Testament is the claim that—in the process of judgment and restoration—YHWH will preserve a faithful people for himself. The prophets use several different metaphors to describe this process and the “remnant” that will exist when the unfaithful are destroyed. However, … Read more
Since the 1950s, German scholars began to draw attention to the prolific use of עצה/יעץ in the Book of Isaiah (e.g. Fichtner, Wildberger, von Rad). By the 1970s, the concept of Yhwh’s plan/counsel was said to constitute “a primary datum of Isaianic preaching” (Whedbee). While in this early period the impetus of research fell on … Read more
The relationship and integration of different religious traditions within the Hebrew Bible remains a vexing question. Recent studies in Jeremiah have explored aspects of wisdom and so-called wisdom traditions, such as its structural and rhetorical role binding together chapters 7–10 and its theological connections to creation and the created order more broadly. However, the specific … Read more