There is No Hope for a Tree: Tree as Metaphor in Isaiah: 65 (JSOT supplement)

Nielsen, Kirsten

ISBN 10: 185075182X / ISBN 13: 9781850751823

Published by Sheffield Academic Pr

The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR014150305

Synopsis:

Insights gained from the study of metaphorical language in other fields, particularly New Testament parable research, are here applied to the tree metaphors in Isaiah 1-39. The focus of investigation is the content of the metaphors , the intentions underlying their use, and the consequences of that use. The author suggests that (1) the informative function of the tree metaphors is to provide theological interpretations of the political situation; (2) the performative function of the metaphors is to engage the audience in such a way that they adopt the metaphors' interpretation of reality as their own; (3) the use of metaphorical language encourages continual reinterpretation of the original proclamation. The tree in the Garden, the felling of trees, new growth of felled trees and the forest fire, are among the images Isaiah uses to make his political statements. He shows himself to be an extremely competent rhetorician in using these images to instil an active response in his audience. The modes in which the metaphors can be reinterpreted and reapplied in new contexts are perceived as significant not only for the composition of Isaiah, but for that of subsequent religious literature.

About the Author: Kirsten Nielsen is Professor in the Department of Biblical Studies at the University of Aarhus, Denmark.

Bibliographic Details

Title: There is No Hope for a Tree: Tree as ...
Publisher: Sheffield Academic Pr
Binding: Hardback
Condition: Very Good