Isaiah 40-66: A Commentary (Old Testament Library) [Paperback]

Claus Westermann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1969 | Series: Old Testament Library

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Claus Westermann was Professor of Old Testament at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. He authored a number of books, including Praise and Lament in the Psalms, Roots of Wisdom, and Prophetic Oracles of Salvation in the Old Testament, all published by WJK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (May 1, 1969)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664226450
• ISBN-13: 978-0664226459
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Westermann marries critical scholarship with attentive theology, February 12, 2009

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Full Fathom 5 (Nashville, TN, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Isaiah 40-66: A Commentary (Old Testament Library) (Paperback)

Claus Westermann was a scholar whose entry into academia was preceded by parish ministry, and his desire to see scholarship's usefulness in its service to a living faith is apparent here, as in his other works. He approaches Isaiah 40-66 from a historical-critical perspective in order to let the beautiful theology of this text ring out, and he does so in a visibly thoughtful manner; his discussion never becomes mired in the overly-technical.

Whether or not one agrees with the validity of a Deutero- and Trito-Isaiah, or with Westermann's identification of who the 'Servant' is, makes little difference to the value of this commentary. The strength of this book lies in Westermann's ability to let the oracles found in Isaiah 40-66 address the concrete issues of their time, the 'situation on the ground', and then, to allow these words to speak powerfully into our present context. It is here that his careful, gentle approach to theology shines, as his scholarly reading of the text helps anchor the meaning embedded in the word.

This is a fine commentary on the second half of Isaiah. He certainly approaches the text with a critical perspective, offering emendations and rearranging sections in a few places, but he returns from it with a sound and studied handling of the word which proclaims comfort (and challenge) to our present faith.