Customer Reviews

Isaiah: A Commentary (Old Testament Library)

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There has been so much written about the Book of Isaiah that it would take a huge, multi-volume work to do justice to it all. This book cannot do so, but it does cover a surprising amount, though at the cost of being too concise for easy readability. He includes everything from textual criticism to his controversial canonical criticism (see his book "Introduction to the Old Testament As Scripture"). The latter means, in this case, that he does not deny that the book can be split into Isaiahs 1, 2 and 3 but he dismisses it as irrelevant and concentrates on the book as part of scripture. Someone making a detailed study of Isaiah would want several commentaries, of which this should be one. Someone wanting a more modest library with only one commentary on Isaiah could do worse than choose this one.

Brevard Childs packs a wealth of information into this 550 page commentary. He sees Isaiah as a work which was lovingly composed by Isaiah and his followers down through the years. He has an excellent grasp of the theological message of the book, and he is very astute at seeing how chapters 34-35 prepare us for the division between Isaiah 1-39 and 40-66.

Childs also makes many helpful comments on the text itself, giving strong arguments for his interpretations (cf. his excellent discussion on the tested stone of Isaiah 28:16). If I could only use one commentary on Isaiah, this one would be it, although it is kind of expensive at $60. You may want to check to see if you can get it for less.

Rev. Marc Axelrod

I am something of a neophyte to Isaiah studies so I lack extensive knowledge about the commentary market for Isaiah. But Childs' commentary must rank near the top. As commentaries go, Childs' volume is very accessible and concise, that is for a commentary on Isaiah 1-66!

Anyone who is familiar with Childs' previous and extensive body of work can expect more of the same. His interests in theological exegesis and so-called canonical criticism charactise this volume and make it especially suited for those who want a commentary on Isaiah, not a commentary on commentaries on Isaiah, although Childs of course does interact with secondary literature where necessary.

Childs' volume on Isaiah is certainly one which all will find helpful, from student to pastor to scholar. One might wish to supplement Childs' volume with the commentaries by Blenkinsopp (AB) and Oswalt (NICOT).

While still in seminary I had recourse to over fifteen commentaries on Isaiah. Motyer is a fine commentary on Isaiah, but Childs's insights are superb. I recommend both for anyone serious about Isaiah.

Replacement for Kaiser and Westermann. Canonical approach, especially literary features, theology, history of interpretation. Childs (whose introduction is unsurprisingly short in view of his contention that the final reading of Isaiah is that which is to be regarded as authoritative), does a far better job of consistently engaging critical scholars than Oswalt The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66 (New International Commentary on the Old Testament) over the course of his exposition.

The book imo is infiltrated with some nasty new age thoughts. For example does not even understand the importance or rendering the Hebrew word helel, which should be translated Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12. The change in new versions of the bible does not spring from the Hebrew language but, from the new age 'theology' of editors like this guy. Imo the book is just another link in the chain to massive misunderstanding. The whole point of 14 was to describe Lucifer's descent to hell. And, he missed the boat. I returned the book.
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