The Song of the Vineyard, Isaiah 5:1-7, portrays YHWH as a vinedresser who has carefully prepared land and planted a choice vine, a symbol of the people whom the deity has chosen. When the reasonable expectation that the vine produce good fruit is thwarted, the vinedresser destroys the vineyard. YHWH, the vinedresser, may seem to be characterised by these actions as a demanding god who will swiftly and harshly recompense any failure to meet expectations. This thesis poses the hypothesis that although this brief song may at first seemingly present a monochromatic characterisation of YHWH, it may actually present a spectrum of characterisations when viewed through multiple interpretive lenses. Socio-rhetorical criticism is the methodology used to examine this hypothesis. This methodology, developed by Vernon K. Robbins, encompasses diverse interpretive approaches, examining five aspects, or “textures,” of the text to obtain a broad interpretive spectrum. In this thesis, three of the textures, innertexture, intertexture, and socio-cultural texture, are considered in separate chapters. The chapter on innertexture examines the world of the text itself, in particular its progressive nature and emotive content. The next chapter examines the intertextural relationship between this Isaian song and two other ancient songs (The Song of the Reed Sea and the Song of Moses), associative references to Sodom, and parallels with the Song of Solomon. The chapter on the socio-cultural texture examines the portrayal of YHWH in light of the socio-economics and socio-cultural values of the world of the story, eighth century B.C.E. Judah. Through this interpretive lense, YHWH is seen as a patron or benefactor who has been dishonoured by his people. In socio-rhetorical criticism, ideology is often presented as a separate texture; in this thesis, it is considered as part of the act of interpretation of all textures, since readers’ ideologies interact with the text. The sacred texture, the last of Robbins’ proposed textures, is presented as the conclusion, with a summary of the spectrum of characterisations of YHWH that the multi-lensed interpretive approach uncovers. The conclusion also includes suggested implications of these finds for the community of faith. / Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)

Isaiah 7 and 8 are set against the Syro-Ephraimite war and the looming threat of an Assyrian invasion. The historical and social circumstances are laced with tension of despair and hope in the pending crisis. These two chapters are also the starting point of Isaiah prophetic utterances directed at King Ahaz and the people of Judah. From the outset of chapter 7, notions of tension between Isaiah and King Ahaz can be detected. In chapter 8, these notions of tension become further more evident in the oracles of Isaiah. Chapter 7 and 8 also contains oracles that give prominence to the three children with the symbolic names of Shear-jashub, Immanuel and Maher-shalal-hash-baz. The messages of the children’s oracles are the same that is to trust Yahweh and not to despair in their faith. This study investigates the tension between despair and hope in Isaiah 7 and 8 from a perspective of trauma and posttraumatic growth. To understand trauma within a theological discourse, more precisely, with regards to chapters 7 and 8, this study will provide an overview on trauma and trauma tendencies. This research endeavour also addresses biblical trauma and trauma in prophesy to gain an understanding how to read Isaiah 7 and 8 through a trauma lens. The expositional study of chapters 7 and 8 forms the foundation of the study to identify the notions of despair and hope within the text. A notable theme in Isaiah 7 and 8 is the tension triangle between Ahaz, Isaiah and Yahweh, and the research explores the significance thereof in the pending crisis. Isaiah 7 and 8 reports the metaphorical action behind the names of Isaiah’s children and this study attempts to address the trauma and posttraumatic growth implications of these names. These names construe a prophetic message of despair and judgment but similarly also a message of hope and future expectations. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / D. Th. (Old Testament)

The Song of the Vineyard, Isaiah 5:1-7, portrays YHWH as a vinedresser who has carefully prepared land and planted a choice vine, a symbol of the people whom the deity has chosen. When the reasonable expectation that the vine produce good fruit is thwarted, the vinedresser destroys the vineyard. YHWH, the vinedresser, may seem to be characterised by these actions as a demanding god who will swiftly and harshly recompense any failure to meet expectations. This thesis poses the hypothesis that although this brief song may at first seemingly present a monochromatic characterisation of YHWH, it may actually present a spectrum of characterisations when viewed through multiple interpretive lenses. Socio-rhetorical criticism is the methodology used to examine this hypothesis. This methodology, developed by Vernon K. Robbins, encompasses diverse interpretive approaches, examining five aspects, or “textures,” of the text to obtain a broad interpretive spectrum. In this thesis, three of the textures, innertexture, intertexture, and socio-cultural texture, are considered in separate chapters. The chapter on innertexture examines the world of the text itself, in particular its progressive nature and emotive content. The next chapter examines the intertextural relationship between this Isaian song and two other ancient songs (The Song of the Reed Sea and the Song of Moses), associative references to Sodom, and parallels with the Song of Solomon. The chapter on the socio-cultural texture examines the portrayal of YHWH in light of the socio-economics and socio-cultural values of the world of the story, eighth century B.C.E. Judah. Through this interpretive lense, YHWH is seen as a patron or benefactor who has been dishonoured by his people. In socio-rhetorical criticism, ideology is often presented as a separate texture; in this thesis, it is considered as part of the act of interpretation of all textures, since readers’ ideologies interact with the text. The sacred texture, the last of Robbins’ proposed textures, is presented as the conclusion, with a summary of the spectrum of characterisations of YHWH that the multi-lensed interpretive approach uncovers. The conclusion also includes suggested implications of these finds for the community of faith. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)