Texts in Conversation
Isaiah 13 describes the earth shaking and the heavens trembling in response to divine anger, language that closely parallels 2 Samuel 22 where the earth quakes and the sky’s foundations shake at God’s presence. Both texts employ imagery derived from ancient Near Eastern storm deity traditions.
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2 Samuel 22:8
Hebrew Bible
6 The ropes of Sheol tightened around me; the snares of death trapped me. 7 In my distress I called to the Lord; I called to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help. 8 The earth heaved and shook; the foundations of the sky trembled. They heaved because he was angry. 9 Smoke ascended from his nose; fire devoured as it came from his mouth; he hurled down fiery coals. 10 He made the sky sink as he descended; a thick cloud was under his feet.
Date: 6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Isaiah 13:13
Hebrew Bible
11 I will punish the world for its evil and wicked people for their sin. I will put an end to the pride of the insolent, I will bring down the arrogance of tyrants. 12 I will make human beings more scarce than pure gold and people more scarce than gold from Ophir. 13 So I will shake the heavens, and the earth will shake loose from its foundation, because of the fury of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, in the day he vents his raging anger. 14 Like a frightened gazelle or a sheep with no shepherd, each will turn toward home, each will run to his homeland. 15 Everyone who is caught will be stabbed; everyone who is seized will die by the sword.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Isaiah uses language similar to that which is used in the “storm god” theophany common in the Ugaritic Baal Epic cycle. The divine warrior manifests himself by convulsions of nature, strong winds and a booming within the heavens that nearly tear the very fabric of earth apart. A similar example is found in David’s song of praise in 2 Samuel 22:8-16 ..."
Walton, John H.
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament
(p. 602) InterVarsity Press, 2000
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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