Unity in the Book of Isaiah

Building on previous holistic readings of the Book of Isaiah, this collection approaches Isaiah through the concept of unity. Contributors outline research that point to new directions in the unity movement and, in the process, bring it under a critical gaze, considering the perennial challenges to unity reading and thus problematizing the very concept of unity.

Divided into four parts, the book provides methodological reflections on reading Isaiah as a unity, and examines historical and redactional readings, literary readings and contextual or reader-orientated readings. Topics include how the figure of Jacob functions as a unifying motif in the final form of the book, Isaiah 1 as an example of the relevance of local structure for global coherence and how woman as a root metaphor of Zion not only bears revelatory significance but also serves as a theological linchpin for a more holistic reading of the book. Overall, the book highlights the continued promise of holistic readings for diverse methods and varied approaches to the Book of Isaiah.

Benedetta Rossi is Associate Professor of Old Testament Exegesis at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Italy.

Dominic S. Irudayaraj S.J. is a faculty member at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Italy, Visiting Professor at Hekima College, Kenya and Research Associate at University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Gina Hens-Piazza is Professor of Biblical Studies and Joseph S. Alemany Endowed Chair at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, USA.