Editorial fatigue and the relationship between 2 Kings 18–20 and Isaiah 36–39

Abstract

The near verbatim agreement between Isaiah 36–39 and 2 Kings 18–20 has long invited speculation about the relationship between these passages. Most scholars theorize Isaian dependence on Kings or mutual dependence on a third source, but a minority has argued for Isaian priority. In connection with the similar problem of the relationships among the Synoptic Gospels of the New Testament, recognition of a phenomenon known as editorial fatigue has helped to clarify which Gospels serve as sources for the others. By identifying several instances of editorial fatigue in Isaiah 36–39, this article provides strong evidence against Isaian priority and for the dependence of Isaiah 36–39 on a version of 2 Kings 18–20.