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Philipps-Universität Marburg
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Abstract
The thesis is dedicated to the concept of ‘am in ch. 1-12 of the book of the prophet Isaiah. The Hebrew word ‘am is generally translated in modern languages by „people“. The concept of people, however, covers different meanings. It can have the notion of “nation”, i.e. a collective defined by its difference to other collectives. But “people” also may denote “common people” as opposed to the ruling classes. It so constitutes a difference between rulers and subjects, culprits and victims etc. “People” then are those who have no access to power and wealth.
For practical reasons the thesis focuses on the first part of the Book of Isaiah, i.e. ch. 1-12. These chapters may be parted into four units or blocks: Is 1:1 – 2:5 / Is 2:6 – 4:6 / Is 5:1 – 9:6 / Is 9:7 – 12:6. Each of the blocks contains mainly two components: accusation (sometimes including admonitions) and promises. Each of the blocks ends with a unit that contains promises. At the same time, there can be observed a progressive development from unit to unit each block having its own characteristics: accusation / the day of Yhwh / the commissioner / restoration.
The centre of the four blocks is the concept of ‘am. The concept is present all along the text. In all cases, ‘am is a collective. Block 1 is focused on accusation. The concept of ‘am includes the leaders as well the ordinary people. Society is composed of both parts, and both are in a deplorable state of delusion. Neither the leaders because of their unjust behaviour nor the common people because of their poverty respectively their status as victims are excluded. The consequences of bad deeds and unjust behaviour concern society as a whole. Neither culprit nor victims are excluded.
Block 2 with its announcement of the day of Yhwh brings to the fore that ‘am is not a merely static thing but a living concept. Chapters 2-3 speak of crimes committed by the leading layer of society. On the other side we find the victims of injustice and crime. They are called “the remnant”. This means that there exists a differentiation within the collective. In spite of this, both sides together form the entity of the ‘am.
Blocks 3 and 4 lead us to the top of the text. The text lets us know that ‘am is more than a static entity. It is a project, a national and social project. The basis and the body of the project are justice and righteousness. At the beginning of the block, they are mentioned to show why the project has failed. At the end, they give the reasons for the restoration of the project. ‘am are not only the poor and oppressed, ‘am is the whole collective. This collective, however, is not a static entity, it is a living concept. It is Yhwh’s social project. Only when the project is successful there is hope for the people to lead a humane life.
The project of ‘am in Is 1-12 can be described by the metaphor of a tree. The leafage is the collective which makes the life of the tree visible. The trunk and the branches are justice and righteousness. If they are not safeguarded the leafage no longer can exist. On the other hand, if the tree has no roots, that is the Word, that nourish and keep it, it can no longer exist and be kept.
Contrary to the realisation of the project of ‘am is a series of institutional structures: the monarchical government, the interests of economic groups, the pursuit of property and the manipulation of law. The effect of these structures is contrary to the project of ‘am. To realise the project the pyramid of society with the king at the top and the common people at the bottom must be turned upside down. The Word of God is the basis and the collective is the treetop kept by justice and righteousness.
In the course of Is 1-12, ‘am is presented as a social project within which unity and reconciliation are possible. It constitutes an ideal environment for the living together of the collective. It even can be seen as a global model. Life in community within the ‘am is an alternative where life can be lived in a humane way. It is a condition for a high quality of life for the collective.
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Created: 2012Issued: 2013-03-12Updated: 2013-03-12
Faculty
Fachbereich Evangelische Theologie
Publisher
Philipps-Universität Marburg
Language
ger
Data types
DoctoralThesis
Keywords
VolkIsraelGerechtigkeitIsaiahIsraeljusticeProphetiepeopleprophecy
DFG-subjects
Jesaja 6
DDC-Numbers
220
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Martínez Muñoz, Milton Joel: Das Konzept ‛am ausgehend von Jesaja 1-12. : Philipps-Universität Marburg 2013-03-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17192/z2013.0086.
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This item has been published with the following license: In Copyright