Abstract: The book analyses and assesses the various methods and approaches used by nineteenth- and twentieth-century scholars researching into the theme of the unity and diversity of the compositional structure of the Old Testament book of Isaiah. It considers the differences between the traditional, historical–critical, form of Old Testament study and the more modern, post-critical literary reading, and argues that a more intensive application of the traditional methods would be of great value in studying the unity of the book of Isaiah and in interpreting its message. Focusing on one particular phase in the composition of Isaiah and on the relationship of the central section, known as ‘Deutero-Isaiah’, to the other parts of the book and to other Old Testament writings, it investigates the literary influences on Deutero-Isaiah and analyses his subsequent editorial contribution to the continuing prophecy of the judgement and salvation of Israel, thereby reinforcing the argument that critical analysis must precede interpretation.

Keywords: compositional structure, Deutero-Isaiah, diversity, historical–critical, Israel, Old Testament, post-critical, unity