Texts in Conversation
Isaiah describes the loss of Jerusalem’s leaders as a sign of judgment. The Aramaic Targum changes “prophet” to “scribe,” focusing on the loss of intellectual leaders. Paul uses similar language in 1 Corinthians, where God judges the wise and the scribe, showing possible influence from an Aramaic tradition later preserved in the Targum.
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Isaiah 3:2
Hebrew Bible
1 Look, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah every source of security, including all the food and water, 2 the mighty men and warriors, judges and prophets, omen readers and leaders, 3 captains of groups of 50, the respected citizens, advisers and those skilled in magical arts, and those who know incantations.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Jonathan Isaiah 3:2
Targum
1 For behold, the Lord of the world, the LORD of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and Judah support and aid, all support of food and all help of drink; 2 the mighty man and warrior, the judge and scribe, the diviner and elder; 3 the captain of fifty, the man of rank, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, the wise man, and the expert in counsel.
Date: 200-300 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
1 Corinthians 1:20
New Testament
19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness of the intelligent.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the expert in the Mosaic law? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world by its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased to save those who believe by the foolishness of preaching.
Date: 55-57 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
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Notes and References
"... Against the background of what will be, the situation which now prevails is all the more pathetic. God removes such basic leadership as that of the 'scribe' (verse 2 of the Targum, instead of 'prophet', as in the Masoretic text) and the 'scholar' (verse 3). (Notably, the wise man, the scribe and the debater are described as set aside by God in 1 Corinthians 1:20), after a citation of Isaiah 29:14. Instead, weak 'guardians' prevail, supported by official extortion from community representatives who are themselves impoverished and unsuitable ..."
* 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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