Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Harold R. Holmyard III" <hholmyard AT ont.com>]

Dear David,

I like this idea that Isaiah 53 explains how 
Israel received double for all her sins, and I 
will have to try and read Isaiah that way to see 
if it works.  I have always understood double to 
imply that Israel had been punished twice as much 
as she had sinned. And much in Scripture suggests 
Israel will be punished terribly before ultimate 
peace and victory comes. So while I accept all 
that you said and am grateful that you said it, 
the words of Isaiah 40 still seem enigmatic.

                                        Yours,
                                        Harold Holmyard

> To this situation a surprising twist is 
> introduced: exile is announced (39:5-7) and then 
> it is to end (40:1-2)! The surprise is that 
> their iniquity has been atoned for, yet nirstah 
> creates an uncertainty about how this has 
> occurred, i.e. is the niphal reflexive or 
> passive? An ambiguity is introduced, fanned by 
> the ambiguous dual kiplayim. In what way has 
> Jerusalem received an “equivalent” punishment 
> for so many years rebellious years--for 
> judgement is proclaimed then quickly announced 
> as complete? All this “good news” they are to 
> herald (40:9), yet how this has been achieved is 
> hidden by nirstah.