Transmission and interpretation of the Book of Isaiah in the context of intra- and interreligious debates

Abstract

The volume contains the revised papers of an interdisciplinary conference held at the University of Goettingen in May 2012, which focused on ancient and medieval receptions of the Book of Isaiah in their interconnectedness. Among Jews and Christians, Isaiah was the most frequently transmitted, most often employed, and most variously interpreted of the prophetic books. In early and classic Islam, moreover, Isaianic traditions carried considerable weight as well. In fact, the Book of Isaiah was appropriated in diverse cultural contexts by many distinct yet interrelated groups and communities. The process of interpretation - and the delineation of the interpreter's identity that was bound up with it - involved both differentiation from others as well as sharing of convictions, methods and traditions with them. By bringing together studies of Jewish, Christian and Islamic interactions with this book and undertaking a comparative analysis of their findings, the volume opens up important new perspectives for research.