Introduction
2. The Babylonian threat chs. 38-39
The events in these chapters evidently predate those in chapters 36-37 by a few months (cf. Isaiah 38:1; Isaiah 38:6). Isaiah apparently placed them here, out of chronological order, to make them a historical prologue to chapters 40-66. This section opens with Hezekiah contemplating death (Isaiah 38:1 a) and ends with him contemplating life (Isaiah 39:8). In between, Isaiah delivered two messages to the king (Isaiah 38:1-7; Isaiah 39:3-7). Hezekiah’s dedication (Isaiah 38:8-22) followed the prophet’s first message, and his defection (Isaiah 39:1-2) precipitated the second message. Thus the structure of these two chapters is chiastic. [Note: Motyer, p. 290.]
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