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

Nielsen, Kirsten

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 185075182X ISBN 13: 9781850751823

Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group - Sheffie, 1989

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 this title

About the Author

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

Edition details

• Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group - Sheffie
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 185075182X
• ISBN 13: 9781850751823
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304