One of the most obscure passages in the book of Isaiah, chapter 21
contains oracles concerning foreign nations. The author deals in depth
with the textual and linguistic problems presented by the text; he also
considers the historical background of the prophecy, the literary forms
concerned and the traditions of interpretation in ancient medieval and
modern times. In studying these traditions, Mr Macintosh makes extensive
use of medieval Jewish commentators whose work is not generally
available in English.