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A Study of Amos 5:21-24 and Isaiah 1:10-17

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A Study of Amos 5:21-24 and Isaiah 1:10-17 THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA The Prophetic Critique of the Priority of the Cult: A Study of Amos 5:21-24 and Isaiah 1:10-17 A DISSERTATION Submitted to the Faculty of the School of Theology and Religious Studies Of The Catholic University of America In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree Doctor of Philosophy © Copyright All Rights Reserved By Theresa Veronica Lafferty Washington, D.C. 2010 The Prophetic Critique of the Priority of the Cult: A Study of Amos 5:21-24 and Isaiah 1:10-17 Theresa Veronica Lafferty, Ph.D. Director: Christopher T. Begg, S.T.D., Ph.D. The eighth century B.C. saw the rise of the so-called writing prophets, when the books of Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah began to be compiled. Amos 5:21-24 and Isaiah 1:10-17 contain severe criticism of the practices and celebrations of Israel’s cult. Amos delivers his oracle in the northern temple at Bethel; Isaiah prophesies in the (southern) Temple in Jerusalem. Both prophets’ missions occur at about the same time, contain approximately the same message with regard to the cult, and purport to be a direct quotation from Yhwh, and each one negates the centrality of the cult. This dissertation examines and analyzes these two texts, and focuses specifically on their critique of the priority given to the cult by their audiences vis-à-vis other aspects of the divine/human relationship. The study begins with a survey of the cult and critique of the cult in ancient Israel and establishes the place and significance of the cult particularly in preexilic Israel and Judah. It then explores the internal and external situation of Israel and Judah in the eighth century on the basis of the relevant biblical and extra-biblical sources. A close reading of Amos 5:21-24 and Isa 1:10-17 determines the problem addressed by the prophets: that justice and righteousness must permeate the lives of the Israelites; and according to Yhwh such behavior is more important and necessary than the practice of the cult. This message, which promotes compassion towards one’s neighbors as indicative of one’s regard for Yhwh, flows throughout the OT passages that contain criticism of the cult and highlights its importance. That Amos and Isaiah proclaim similar messages during the same time period, although in different temples, emphasizes the importance of just and righteous behavior for Israelite society. This dissertation by Theresa Veronica Lafferty, M.S., M.A., fulfills the dissertation requirement for the doctoral degree in biblical studies approved by Christopher T. Begg, S.T.D., Ph.D., as Director, and by Robert D. Miller, Ph.D., and Joseph Jensen, O.S.B., S.T.D. as Readers. __________________________________________ Christopher T. Begg, S.T.D., Ph.D., Director __________________________________________ Robert D. Miller, Ph.D., Reader __________________________________________ Joseph Jensen, O.S.B., S.T.D., Reader ii This work is dedicated to my parents, Francis J. and Patricia A. Lafferty, who provided me with the foundation of my faith, and for teaching me: Sjia]#paÚ]hwÚuGeÚSjuie]Yp7Ú]hwÚz]e, unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm! (Isa 7:9) This work is also dedicated to my brothers and sisters whose financial and prayerful support has helped to keep my life in order for the past nine years. kq*pkeÁik)jkeÁoqjancke+ÁaerfÁpd+jÁ ^]oehae)]jÁpkq,Ámakq,%ÁkeWpejafÁarcajd)mdo])jÁikeÁl]ndckne)], these alone are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. (Col 4:11) In memory of my brother, Gene. iii Zud(hw]+)zWeÚpg(h(œÚW7jA_*d7s:Ú`o(t(Úp^7dY]7s:ÚfL#r*ieÚp=bWY)z]eÚuGeÚZI*ieÚrnA=@Úds*du:)di#S (Micah 6:8b) And what does Yhwh require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? iv Table of Contents Abbreviations and Critical Texts Used …..…………………………………………….. viii Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………………… ix Chapter One .........................................................................................................................1 A. Introductory Remarks ............................................................................................. 1 1. Place and Significance of the Cult in Ancient Israel .......................................... 2 2. Biblical Texts that Contain a Critique of the Cult .............................................. 3 B. Review of Previous Scholarship on Prophetic Criticism of the Cult...................... 5 1. From Wellhausen to Klawans............................................................................. 5 2. Synthesis and Evaluation .................................................................................. 17 C. Amos 5:21-24 and Isaiah 1:10-17......................................................................... 22 D. Methodology......................................................................................................... 23 Chapter Two.......................................................................................................................24 A. Introduction........................................................................................................... 24 B. Internal Situation of Eighth Century Israel and Judah.......................................... 25 C. External Situation of Israel and Judah: Assyria.................................................... 29 D. General Orientation to Amos................................................................................ 30 1. The Book and its Formation History ................................................................ 31 2. Person and Date of Ministry ............................................................................. 37 3. Overall Message................................................................................................ 38 E. General Orientation to Isaiah................................................................................ 40 1. Book.................................................................................................................. 40 a. Formation History of Isaiah 1–39………………………………………….. 41 v b. Outline of Isaiah 1–39……………………………………………………… 45 2. Person and Date of Ministry ............................................................................. 47 3. Overall Message................................................................................................ 48 F. Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 50 Chapter Three.....................................................................................................................51 A. Introduction: Amos 5:21-24.................................................................................. 51 B. Delimitation of the Text........................................................................................ 51 C. The Unity of 5:21-27 ............................................................................................ 53 D. Text and Translation ............................................................................................. 55 E. Form Criticism...................................................................................................... 56 F. Structure of the Text ............................................................................................. 57 G. Authenticity and Dating........................................................................................ 58 H. The Unit in its Context.......................................................................................... 59 I. Exegetical Analysis............................................................................................... 60 1. Verse 21 ............................................................................................................ 60 2. Verse 22 ............................................................................................................ 62 3. Verse 23 ............................................................................................................ 64 4. Verse 24 ............................................................................................................ 66 J. Summary............................................................................................................... 72 Chapter Four ......................................................................................................................74 A. Introduction: Isaiah 1:10-17.................................................................................. 74 B. Delimitation of the Text........................................................................................ 74 C. Text and Translation ............................................................................................. 76 vi D. Literary Form........................................................................................................ 81 E. Structure of the Text ............................................................................................. 82 F. Authenticity and Dating........................................................................................ 85 G. Unit in its Context................................................................................................. 87 H. Exegetical Analysis............................................................................................... 89 1. Verse 10 ............................................................................................................ 90 2. Verse 11 ...........................................................................................................
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