Death or Conversion: The Gentiles in the Concluding Chapters of the Book of Isaiah and the Book of the Twelve

The destruction of the nations and the role of the Gentiles in the worship of YHWH are two major concerns in the final part of the book of Isaiah. While much of Isa. 60-62, as well as Isa. 59:15b-20; 63:1-6; 66:12, 16, conveys a hostile standpoint vis-à-vis the Gentiles, the material in Isa. 56:1-8 and 66:18-21 reflects a more inclusive perspective. The final part of the Book of the Twelve focuses on the same issues and reveals the same lack of a uniform attitude towards the nations. Zech. 2:11; 8:22; 14:16-21, and Mal. 1:11 speak of the participation of the Gentiles in the worship of YHWH, while Hag. 2:20-23; Zech. 1:15; 2:12-13 (Eng. 2:8-9]; 14:12 etc. articulate their destruction. This paper argues that the juxtaposition of these conflicting views regarding foreigners creates final forms of both sets of texts which give the impression that the Gentiles have but two choices: military annihilation or acceptance of and active participation in the Israelite religion.