J. Alec Motyer - The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary

The sheer length of a book like Isaiah, not to mention the vast literature which has accumulated around it, compels any commentator to decide what sort of commentary to write. With the absurd unrealism of the very young, I planned (long ago) to include everything! I was then, and for many subsequent years, privileged to lecture on the Hebrew text of Isaiah to classes in Clifton Theological College, Tyndale Hall and Dalton House subsequently, to the praise of God, Trinity College, Bristol. All the material linguistic, exegetical, expository, introductory appropriate to a lecture course and all the evaluative comments on specialist work and debate was to find a place in my commentary. But, of course, the world is not big enough to contain such a book, no publisher foolish enough to undertake it, nor am I competent to write it.

There are three main thrusts in commentating: explanation (what the text means), encyclopaedia (the course of specialist debate) and exposition (the continuing reality of the text as Gods word today). Of these, I decided to major on the first while by no means forgetting the last, for I would count it the highest privilege under God to assist every reader of Isaiah into fuller understanding and to be of some assistance to preachers. But, of course, it is impossible to ignore the wealth and course of the study of the book of Isaiah. It will be evident throughout my commentary that I gratefully stand on the shoulders of many a predecessor; and while both space and competence have forbidden any prolonged engagement with the views of others, I have tried neither to be ignorant of what has been and is being said nor foolishly to fly in the face of those who are so very far my superiors. D. L. Peterson has put perfectly what I wish to say:

No commentary can hope to be truly exhaustive and at the same time coherent. This volume includes text-critical and philological notes when these appear necessary... I have introduced notes which represent the dialogue between my own work and that of my predecessors. However, my primary goal has been... interpretation...

For the same reasons I have not allocated space to an extensive specialist bibliography when such is readily available elsewhere to those who need it, and in general I have limited quotation to accessible English works which will in turn indicate wider areas of reading.

It is over thirty years since I was presumptuous enough to accept an invitation to contribute a commentary on Isaiah to the Tyndale series. The passing years have amassed material beyond what that useful series can accommodate, and it says much for the patience and tolerance of those in charge of the Inter-Varsity Press that they have waited so long and are now willing to accept so much. I remember with much gratitude the constant goading I received in years past from Ronald Inchley and rejoice that he is still with us on earth to learn that his gentle peremptoriness was not in vain. With affection and gratitude I acknowledge superb help from Frank Entwistle, the present Director of IVP and from David Kingdon, Theological Books Editor of the Press. I would like to mention also Sue Rebis who prepared my manuscript for publication. Her skill in turning many an incomprehensible comment into reasonable sense, her patience with me and with a very long text and her ever kind encouragement have meant more than can readily be expressed. To the people who checked the Hebrew and the Bible references I also extend warm gratitude. It would be impossible for an author to be more cared for and assisted than we who are privileged to achieve publication under the IVP imprint.

It has become conventional for authors to thank their wives for help and support, and in no case is this less a formality or more a reality than mine. My gratitude extends from the days long ago when, reminiscent of Edgar Alan Poes raven (though neither in looks nor in voice), Beryl stung my conscience by repeated exhortations to Remember Ronald Inchley right through to her readiness to see the early years of our retirement devoted to the cause of Isaiah. To dedicate my book to her is no more than love would wish and far less than debt requires.

As I look back now, and particularly over the intensive activity of the last three years, there rises unbidden the picture of a very small mouse nibbling heroically at a very large cheese. Indeed it is no picture but a reality, and now that all is at last done, like Reepicheep of Narnia (though, please God, without his endearing bumptiousness), I too lay my sword at the feet of him who alone is worthy of all praise, the Servant of the Lord, the reigning King and the coming Anointed Conqueror, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Alexander, J. A., The Prophecies of Isaiah (William Collins, 1848).

Birks, T. R., Commentary on Isaiah (Macmillan, 1878).

Cheyne, T. K., The Prophecies of Isaiah (Kegan Paul, 1884).

Clements, R. E., Isaiah 139 (NCB, 1980).

Davidson, A. B., Hebrew Syntax (T. & T. Clark, 1902).

Delitzsch, F., Commentary on Isaiah, 2 vols. (T. & T. Clark, 1873).

Dhorme, E., A Commentary on the Book of Job (Nelson, 1967).

Driver, S. R., A Treatise on the Use of the Tenses in Hebrew (OUP, 1882).

Eichrodt, W., Der Heilige in Israel: Jesaya 112 (Calwer Werlag, 1960).

Der Herr der Geschichte: Jesaya 1323, 2839 (Calwer Verlag, 1967).

Erlandsson, S., The Burden of Babylon: A Study of Isaiah 13:2 14:23, Coniectanea Biblica (C. W. K. Gleerup, 1970).

Gray, G. B., A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Isaiah Chapters 127, ICC (T. & T. Clark, 1912).

Herbert, A. S., The Book of the Prophet Isaiah, 2 vols. (CUP, 1973).