Texts in Conversation
Isaiah 7 tells of a plan to place a new king over Judah. The Aramaic Targum Jonathan updates this with details that reflect later political realities, showing awareness of Roman methods of ruling by installing loyal local leaders.
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Isaiah 7:6
Hebrew Bible
5 Syria has plotted with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah to bring about your demise. 6 They say, “Let’s attack Judah, terrorize it, and conquer it. Then we’ll set up the son of Tabeel as its king.” 7 For this reason the Sovereign Lord says: “‘It will not take place; it will not happen.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Jonathan Isaiah 7:6
Targum
Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, We will go up into the land of the house of Judah, and let us be united together, and make them profitable unto us. We will make a king in it whom we shall think proper. Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
Date: 200-300 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
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Notes and References
"... Aside from an expected emphasis on repentance (verse 3) and prophecy (verse 9), most of the innovations in the Targums are of an explanatory nature. The policy of annexation — even though ascribed to Assyria — is described in terms which may have been influenced by a knowledge of Roman administrative practice (verse 6). The policy of incorporating territory into the Empire, giving its inhabitants certain civic rights under the protection of law, and establishing a client king, was pursued in respect of Israel until more direct intervention was held to be necessary ..."
* 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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