Texts in Conversation
Ephesians reshapes language from Isaiah, blending two passages that describe rising from darkness and seeing new light. In Isaiah, this light depicts the nation’s renewal after exile, and in Ephesians it is used to teach about individual development, centered on Jesus.
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Isaiah 60:1
Hebrew Bible
1 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you! 2 For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you. 3 Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light. 4 Look all around you! They all gather and come to you—your sons come from far away, and your daughters are escorted by guardians. 5 Then you will look and smile, you will be excited and your heart will swell with pride. For the riches of distant lands will belong to you, and the wealth of nations will come to you.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Ephesians 5:14
New Testament
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13 But all things being exposed by the light are made visible. 14 For everything made visible is light, and for this reason it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!” 15 Therefore consider carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity because the days are evil.
Date: 60-70 C.E. (If authentic), 90-100 C.E. (If anonymous) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Although this excerpt does include strong allusions to Isaiah 26:19 asnd 60:1-2, it does not cohere closely with either text ... Certainly, the first two lines of 5:14 have close linkage with Isaiah 26:19 ... The text in Isaiah 60:1-2 contributes conceptual parallels to the citation, with the notion of the 'Light of the Lord' rising and shining on his people who dwell in darkness. Isaiah 60:1 also begins with second person singular imperatives, including the verb 'arise' in the underlying Hebrew. It appears, therefore, that Paul's citation represents an amalgamation of at least these two Isaianic texts ..."
Lunde, Jonathan M. & Dunne, John A.
Paul's Creative and Contextual Use of Isaiah in Ephesians 5:14
(pp. 87-110) Journal of the Evangelical Society, 2012
* 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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