Isaiah 1-12 – Concordia Commentary

Isaiah ben Amoz presents a massive tome of historical references and prophetic words that culminate in the coming of Jesus Christ. Rev. Dr. Andrew H. Bartelt, professor emeritus of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, provides a meticulous commentary on the first twelve chapters of these writings. Carefully juxtaposing the grammatical analysis of these select chapters with the wider understanding of Isaiah’s book as a whole, Bartelt illuminates the voice of Isaiah for greater understanding.

Endorsements

The first requirement for any responsible student of the Bible is to know what the text is and what it means in both its immediate and its wider context. By setting this as its primary goal, Andrew Bartelt’s detailed commentary on Isaiah 1–12 should immediately establish itself in the front rank of modern analyses of these chapters. Specialists and more general readers alike will all benefit from his considerate and thoughtful discussion of these vital chapters.
—H. G. M. Williamson, Emeritus Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Oxford

This comprehensive, holistic commentary by a seasoned Isaiah scholar offers a wealth of historical, literary, and theological insight into the initial core of Isaiah’s book. Especially useful is the way it situates chapters 1–12 in relation to the larger work and illuminates how Isaiah’s prophecy is taken up in the New Testament and developed in Christian theology.
—Claire Mathews McGinnis, Professor, Department of Theology, Loyola University Maryland

Here is a remarkable and remarkably thorough commentary on Isaiah 1–12. Every word is carefully considered, as are the many vexed issues that have occupied scholarly interpretation. To be sure, not all will agree with Bartelt at every turn, but what all will agree on is this: Bartelt has offered us a rich interpretive feast that will reward study by all who wish to taste and see God’s goodness in Isaiah.
—Brent A. Strawn, D. Moody Smith Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Professor of Law, Duke University

This volume is a welcome addition to the large and growing body of literature surrounding the book of Isaiah. Adopting a carefully nuanced and supported argument for the unity of Isaiah and the authorship of the prophet, Dr. Bartelt offers an exhaustive treatment of the content of the early chapters of the book. The completeness of his treatment is impressive; from text to linguistics to theology, he leaves no stone unturned. Exegetes who want to know what these twelve chapters say will be well-served by this volume.
—John N. Oswalt, Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

This meticulous study judiciously combines current Isaiah scholarship with a holistic hermeneutical lens, resulting in a tour de force tome on the “vision” of the prophet Isaiah as the “implied author” of the whole book. If H. G. M. Williamson’s recent commentary on Isaiah 1–12 champions linguistic and redactional analyses, Andrew Bartelt’s commentary is a welcome counterpart with literary-rhetorical and theological expositions through which the Word of God becomes alive.
—Hyun Chul Paul Kim, past chair of the SBL Book of Isaiah Group; Harold B. Williams Professor of Hebrew Bible, Methodist Theological School in Ohio

About the series

The Concordia Commentary Series: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture is written to enable pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the Biblical text.

The series will cover all the canonical books of the Old and New Testament, with an original translation and meticulous grammatical analysis of the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek of each text. The foremost interpretive lens centers on the unified proclamation of the person and work of Christ across every Scriptural book.

The Commentary fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture; Each passage bears witness to the confession that God has reconciled the world to Himself through the incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ His Son.

Authors expose the rich treasury of language, imagery, and thematic content of the Scripture while supplementing their work with additional research in archaeology, history, and extrabiblical literature. Throughout, God’s Word emanates from authors' careful attention and inculcates the ongoing life of the Church in Word, Sacrament, and daily confession.

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