ABSTRACT The Relationality of the Holy One of Israel in the Book of Isaiah This dissertation explores the ways that “the Holy One of Israel” is used in the book of Isaiah to depict Yahweh, the powerful and unapproachable God, in his personal relationship with Israel. It investigates the actions and character of Yahweh as the Holy One of Israel and the nature and purpose of Yahweh’s holiness as reflected in the Holy One of Israel’s treatment of Israel. It considers how Yahweh seeks to manifest his holiness in the midst of rebellion through righteous actions. In particular, it examines how the Holy One of Israel rebukes, redeems, and restores Israel, despite her rebellious disposition and actions. This research affirms that Israel’s relationship with the Holy One is not contrived, but comes out of a genuine experience, as evidenced by Yahweh’s desire to empower Israel to live righteously. When God and his people act righteously, the Holy One has manifested his holiness. This thesis demonstrates that the Holy One of Israel is a relational God who has the spiritual and sanctifying power to transform unrighteous people to live righteously. Therefore, the prophet Isaiah calls Israel to return to the Holy One of Israel who, though he rebukes his people, does so in order to restore them, and transform them into “oaks of righteousness” (Isa 61:3). Thus the Isaianic use of the special epithet reminds Israel of the immanence of Yahweh who belongs to Israel, and it connotes: “the Holy One of Israel, the powerful righteous redeemer is with you .” DISSERTATION APPROVAL SHEET This dissertation, entitled The Relationality of the Holy One of Israel in the Book of Isaiah written by Tony Tung-Kan Chen and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy has been read and approved by the undersigned members of the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary ________________________________ Dr. John N. Oswalt, Mentor ________________________________ Dr. Bill T. Arnold, Reader ________________________________ Dr. Michael D. Matlock, Examiner October 2013 The Relationality of the Holy One of Israel in the Book of Isaiah A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary Wilmore, Kentucky In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies—Old Testament Dissertation Committee: Dr. John N. Oswalt Dr. Bill T. Arnold Dr. Michael D. Matlock By Tony T. K. Chen October 2013 Copyright © 2013 Tony Tung-Kan Chen All rights reserved CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iv Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY .............................................................................1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................1 1.2 Statement of Research ............................................................................................5 1.3 Methodology ..........................................................................................................7 2. FOUNDATIONS FOR THE STUDY ..........................................................................11 2.1 Holiness in the Ancient Near East and the Old Testament ..................................11 2.1.1 Ancient Near East .......................................................................................11 2.1.2 Old Testament .............................................................................................20 2.1.2.1 Its Meaning ........................................................................................20 2.1.2.2 Old Testament Usages .......................................................................24 2.1.2.3 Significance in Isaiah .........................................................................28 2.2 The Epithet “The Holy One of Israel” .................................................................28 2.2.1 The Origin of the Epithet—“The Holy One of Israel” ...............................28 2.2.2 The Meaning of “The Holy One of Israel” .................................................34 2.2.2.1 Substantival Usage as a Divine Name ...............................................34 2.2.2.2 Adjectival Usage ................................................................................35 2.3 Israel’s Relationship with The Holy One of Israel in the Book of Isaiah ............43 2.3.1 Isaiah 1:4 ...................................................................................................49 2.3.2 Isaiah 5:19 .................................................................................................58 2.3.3 Isaiah 5:24 .................................................................................................58 2.3.4 Isaiah 10:20 ...............................................................................................65 2.3.5 Isaiah 12:6 .................................................................................................69 2.3.6 Isaiah 17:7 .................................................................................................75 2.3.7 Isaiah 29:19 ...............................................................................................79 2.3.8 Isaiah 30:11 ...............................................................................................84 2.3.9 Isaiah 30:12 ...............................................................................................84 2.3.10 Isaiah 30:15 ...............................................................................................84 2.3.11 Isaiah 31:1 .................................................................................................90 2.3.12 Isaiah 37:23 ...............................................................................................94 i 2.3.13 Isaiah 41:14 ..............................................................................................98 2.3.14 Isaiah 41:16 ..............................................................................................98 2.3.15 Isaiah 41:20 ..............................................................................................98 2.3.16 Isaiah 43:3 ..............................................................................................104 2.3.17 Isaiah 43:14 ............................................................................................110 2.3.18 Isaiah 45:11 ............................................................................................115 2.3.19 Isaiah 47:4 ..............................................................................................118 2.3.20 Isaiah 48:17 ............................................................................................122 2.3.21 Isaiah 49:7 ..............................................................................................127 2.3.22 Isaiah 54:5 ..............................................................................................129 2.3.23 Isaiah 55:5 ..............................................................................................134 2.3.24 Isaiah 60:9 ..............................................................................................138 2.3.25 Isaiah 60:14 ............................................................................................139 3. THE CHARACTER OF YAHWEH AS THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL .................145 3.1 Sovereign and Powerful .....................................................................................145 3.1.1 Transcendent and a Discontinuous God ...................................................145 3.1.2 Eternal .......................................................................................................146 3.1.3 Supreme Knowledge .................................................................................147 3.1.4 Supreme Authority ....................................................................................152 3.1.4.1 All Powerful .....................................................................................152 3.1.4.2 Accomplishes His Desires ...............................................................154 3.2 Unique and Incomparable ..................................................................................157 3.3 Glorious..............................................................................................................161 3.4 Faithful ...............................................................................................................163 3.5 Merciful..............................................................................................................164 3.6 Righteous ...........................................................................................................167 4. YAHWEH'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL AS THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL .....................................................................................................................170 4.1 Roles of the Holy One of Israel .........................................................................170 4.1.1 Personal God .............................................................................................170 4.1.2 Creator.......................................................................................................178 4.1.3 Husband ....................................................................................................179 4.1.4 King...........................................................................................................184