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Introduction to Isaiah
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of Isaiah
- Rebuke of Judah and promised restoration (1–5)
- Destruction promised for many empires (6–23)
- Universal judgment and promise of redemption (24–27)
- Accusation of the chosen people of Yahweh (28–31)
- Promised restoration of the line of kings descended from David (32–33)
- Judgment on Edom and the nations, and the promise of restoration of the ransomed (34–35)
- Hezekiah and Sennacherib (36–39)
- Comfort promised, comfort, deliverance, and judgment (40–45)
- Prophecies against Babylon (46–48)
- Redemption of Yahweh's servant (49–55)
- Ethics of Yahweh's kingdom (56–59)
- Restored Jerusalem (60–66)
What is the Book of Isaiah about?
The first part of the book (Isa 1-39) contains many of Isaiah's prophecies. Some of these prophecies are about how God will send an army to destroy the southern kingdom of Judah. Some of the prophecies are about how God will punish other nations of the world. There is also a narrative section that tells how Isaiah helped King Hezekiah when the Assyrians were about to attack Jerusalem.
The second part of the book (40-66) contains prophecies about how God will later comfort and restore his people. God will accomplish this through his anointed servant. By the suffering of this servant, God will forgive his people (Isa 53). This servant will also cause Gentiles to worship Yahweh. The book ends with a prophecy about God creating a new heavens and earth.
How should the title of this book be translated?
"The Book of Isaiah" may also be called the "The book about Isaiah" or "The Sayings of Isaiah." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)
When did the prophet Isaiah live?
The prophet Isaiah wrote down the prophecies in this book about 740–700 B.C., when the Assyrian Empire was becoming more powerful. Isaiah spoke the prophecies from God to the people of Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh. The story of Isaiah helping King Hezekiah against the Assyrians is also found in 2 Kings 19–20.
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What did Isaiah prophesy about the future Messiah of Israel?
There are many passages in Isaiah that Jews and Christians have interpreted to be about the Messiah. In 9:1-7 Isaiah described a child being born who would rule over David's kingdom. In chapter 11, Isaiah described a descendant of David who would have God's spirit upon him. There are also prophecies in chapters 40-66 about "the servant." This servant will comfort the people, rule with righteousness, and suffer so that God will forgive the people for sinning against him. The New Testament writers interpret these prophecies to be about Jesus Christ.
What did Isaiah mean by "the last days"?
The Book of Isaiah was one of the first books to present the concept of the last days, that is, the end times. Isaiah explained that in the last days there would be a future kingdom of Israel. Jerusalem would be its main city. And people from all over the world will go there to learn about Yahweh and worship him.
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
What is the meaning of the term "Israel"?
The name "Israel" is used in many different ways in the Bible. There was a man named Jacob. God changed his name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became a nation also called Israel. Eventually, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was named Israel. The southern kingdom was named Judah. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel)
What are some characteristics of prophetic literature in the Book of Isaiah?
Most of Isaiah's prophecies are put into poetic form. It seems many prophets in Israel used poetry when they spoke important messages that were meant to be remembered.
Sometimes his messages are hard to understand because he assumed his original hearers would know what he was talking about. But, readers today do not always understand what he meant. However, the basic topics about which Isaiah spoke to his audience are still clear to us today. These topics are about how the people sinned against God, how God would punish them, and how he would eventually comfort and restore them.
Isaiah also speaks about the Servant of Yahweh, in four different poems that are today called the "Four Servant Songs." The later Christians understood these very clearly as prophecies about Jesus Christ, the future Messiah. These "songs" are in Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4-9; and 52:13-53:12. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin, rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ)