Abstract
The expression "Qorev alicha al-tagash-vi ki qodeshtiach" (Isa 65,5) is best understood as uttered by one of the priests in Jerusalem. Both the ancient translations as well as contemporary insight in Hebrew grammar support the translation of "qodeshtiach" as "I am holier than you". This indicates that the speaker in v.5 regards himself as holier than his immediate surroundings. As such, it indicates a priestly identity. The interpretation of the two expressions "al-tagash-vi" and "qorev alicha" support this conclusion: their content express the speaker's disdain for his opponents and his own sense of self-righteousness. Further, their priestly vocabulary suggests a clerical speaker. Such an understanding complements the claim made by several scholars (e.g. P. Hanson, A. Rofe) that the author of Isa 66,3 held a critical disposition towards the priesthood.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 237-244 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Biblica |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2004 |