The book around Immanuel

In the process of examining rhetorical style in Isaiah 2-12, Professor Bartelt provides a convincing reading of the text that also serves as a model for the study of the prophetic writings. He recognizes both parallelism and meter as complementary factors to consider in interpreting the text. Applying the principles both of poetic (based on the work of D. N. Freedman) and rhetorical (based on the work of J. Muilenburg) analysis, Bartelt examines in detail the style and structure of Isaiah 2-12.

The careful craftsmanship evident in the section is demonstrated by Bartelt's careful examination of all levels of the composition, from the line to the verse to the larger literary units. He shows that the "Book of Immanuel" lies at the thematic and statistical center of Isaiah 2-12.