The Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32.1-43) and Isaianic Prophecies: A Case of Early Intertextuality?

Abstract

The overall distribution and density of Deuteronomy 32 language affinities found in four key chapters in the book of Isaiah (chs. 1, 5, 28 and 30) demonstrate that the Song of Moses and the early Isaianic prophecies are linguistically linked. In addition, a comparison of the parallels, from a thematic perspective, shows a consistent pattern of theme reiteration or reversal. Moreover, viewing the parallels from a compositional angle brings to light a pattern involving their appearance in initial, final and framing positions in the literary units making up the Isaianic chapters. The linguistic, thematic and literary patterns seem too consistent to be coincidental or simply attributable to a common language and literary tradition. Rather, these points combined corroborate the conclusion that intertextuality involving the linguistic affinities has occurred. There is, therefore, a direct correlation between these early prophetic writings and ch. 32 of Deuteronomy. Moreover, the nature of the literary correlation suggests that the Isaianic prophecies, where intertextuality has occurred, borrowed from the Song.