Isaiah 51:9
and the problem of remote imagery |
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| Read the following verse from Isaiah 51 and try to determine what the words in red might mean. |
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| Awake, awake, put on strength, |
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| O arm of the LORD! |
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| Awake, as in days of old, |
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| the generations of long ago! |
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| Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, |
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| who pierced the dragon? |
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| A woman named Rahab is
mentioned in the book of Joshuah, but noone cut her in pieces. Who might
the "Rahab" in this verse from Isaiah be? What dragon does this text mention? |
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| "Rahab" and "the dragon"
are images that would have been familiar to anyone familiar with ancient
semitic mythology. Ask about this in class, then try reading this verse again. |
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| Go to the discussion outline for Prophecy and the Latter Prophets. |
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| Go to the discussion outlines page. |
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| Go to the History and Literature of the Bible home page. |
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