Aramaic Light on Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations: Aramaic Old Testament Series Volume 5

Aramaic Light on Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations is a unique commentary based on the Aramaic language and ancient Near Eastern customs. The commentary carries you back into the 8th century CE, providing an unusual perspective and insight into the books of the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah and the lamentations of Jeremiah. This volume is not a verse by verse commentary but one that offers understanding into many difficult oracles and prophecies of these two major prophets. These men of God were spokesmen for justice, compassion, and social rejuvenation that could only come about by turning to God the source of love and compassion. This inimitable commentary acts as a Near Eastern guide, revealing to the Western mind a more intimate picture of the socio-religious, Semitic culture and psychological environment of the various periods. Its approach is simple, informative, and scholarly without using specialized theological terminology and is an easy read for everyone. Dr. Errico and Dr. Lamsa unlock and clarify many misunderstood passages in the biblical, religious history of Israel. They also open the way to comprehend the visions of the prophets. Abraham J. Heschel defined a prophet as ". . . a person who sees the world with the eyes of God . . . a person who holds God and man in one thought at one time, at all times . . . who suffers harms done to others. . . . Living in dismay, he has the power to transcend dismay." This volume is not just a revision of Dr. Lamsa's Old Testament Light commentary, 1964. Dr. Errico has edited, expanded, and annotated the previous comments. In addition the book now contains unpublished material that the two of them had only drafted prior to Dr. Lamsa's death in September of 1975. Dr. Errico completed these comments, adding information derived from his studies with Dr. Lamsa and continual research in Aramaic word meanings and Near Eastern Semitic cultural studies.