ISAIAH, BOOK OF

The book of Isaiah outstandingly magnifies Jehovah as “the Holy One of Israel,” applying this expression to him a total of twenty-five times. Also, it points with unmistakable clarity to the Messiah or Anointed One of Jehovah through whom deliverance would come to the people of God.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Isaiah 1:1 informs us that Isaiah visioned these things in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. This was a period of severe international tension and one in which false religious attitudes had a profound effect on the people of Judah. Near the beginning of Isaiah’s career King Uzziah died a leper because of his presumptuousness in taking over priestly duties. (2 Chron. 26:16, 19-21) During the reign of his son Jotham it is reported that, while the king did what was right, “the people were yet acting ruinously.”—2 Chron. 27:2; 2 Ki. 15:34.

Next Came King Ahaz, who for sixteen years set a bad example for the nation, carrying on Baal worship with its rites of human sacrifice. There was “great unfaithfulness toward Jehovah.” (2 Chron. 28:1-4, 19) It was at this time that the allied kings of Syria and Israel besieged Jerusalem so that Ahaz, ignoring the counsel of Isaiah the prophet, sent to Tiglath-pileser III, the king of Assyria, for military assistance. (2 Ki. 16:5-8; Isa. 7:1-12) By this Ahaz ‘made flesh his arm, his heart turning away from Jehovah.’ (Jer. 17:5) Assyria agreed to an alliance, but, of course, was interested mainly in expanding its own power. The Assyrian army captured Damascus of Syria and apparently took into exile the inhabitants of the trans-Jordanic territory of religiously apostate Israel.—1 Chron. 5:26.

Later, when Samaria failed to pay tribute, it too was besieged and its inhabitants were deported. (2 Ki. 16:9; 17:4-6; 18:9-12) This ended the ten-tribe kingdom and left Judah surrounded on all sides by Gentile nations. Later Assyrian rulers kept up military operations in the W, assaulting cities of Judah and of surrounding nations. Sennacherib even demanded the capitulation of Jerusalem itself. But under the kingship of Hezekiah the situation there had changed. Hezekiah trusted in Jehovah, and Jehovah proved to be with him.—2 Ki. 18:5-7; Isa. chaps. 36, 37.

Uzziah, during whose rule Isaiah entered upon his prophetic service, began to reign in 829 B.C.E. and Hezekiah concluded his reign by 716 B.C.E. However, the years of Isaiah’s service as prophet were likely shorter than that. Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 1, refers to “the year that King Uzziah died” (777 B.C.E.) as the time when Isaiah received the commission from Jehovah that is recorded in that chapter; though it may be that he had recorded the preceding information before that. Then in chapter 36, verse 1, reference is made to “the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah” (732/731 B.C.E.). How long it was after that until Isaiah had completed his writing we do not know, though it could well have been shortly thereafter.

There are also a few other references that help to date the contents of specific portions of the book of Isaiah. For example, chapter 7, verse 1, says that Pekah the king of Israel came against Jerusalem to war in the days of King Ahaz. Although Ahaz ruled from about 762 to about 746 B.C.E., Pekah’s kingship ended by about 758 B.C.E.; so the incident must have occurred before that year. Further, Isaiah 14:28 dates a pronouncement concerning Philistia “in the year that King Ahaz died,” which would be about 746 B.C.E. These references assist in fixing the events in the book of Isaiah in the stream of time.

UNITY OF WRITERSHIP

In modern times certain Bible critics have contended that the book of Isaiah was not all written by Isaiah. Some claim that chapters 40 through 66 were written by an unidentified person who lived about the time of the end of the Jews’ Babylonian captivity. Other critics pare off additional portions of the book, theorizing that someone other than Isaiah must have written them. But the Bible itself does not agree with these contentions.

Inspired writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures credited both the material now designated chapters 1-39 and that numbered chapters 40-66 to “Isaiah the prophet.” They never intimated that there were two persons who bore this name or that the name of the writer of part of the book was unknown. (For examples, compare Matthew 3:3 and 4:14-16 with Isaiah 40:3 and 9:1, 2; also John 12:38-41 with Isaiah 53:1 and 6:1, 10.) In addition to this, there are numerous other places where the Christian Greek Scripture writers specifically credit material quoted from the latter part of the book of Isaiah, not to an unidentified writer, but to “Isaiah the prophet.” (Compare Matthew 12:17-21 with Isaiah 42:1-4; Romans 10:16 with Isaiah 53:1.) Jesus Christ himself, when he read from “the scroll of the prophet Isaiah” at the synagogue in Nazareth, was reading from Isaiah 61:1, 2.—Luke 4:17-19.

Furthermore, the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah (believed to date from the first or second century B.C.E.) contains evidence that the copyist who penned it knew nothing of any supposed division in the prophecy at the close of chapter 39. He began the fortieth chapter on the last line of the column of writing that contains chapter 39.

The entire book of Isaiah has been passed down through the centuries as a single work, not as two or more. The continuity from chapter 39 to chapter 40 is evident in what is recorded at Isaiah 39:6, 7, which is an obvious transition to what follows, paving the way for the prophecies of the period of Babylonian judgment.

Those who would credit the book to more than one writer do not feel that it was possible for Isaiah to have foretold nearly two centuries in advance that a ruler named Cyrus would liberate the captive Jews; consequently they speculate that this was written at a later time, at least after Cyrus began his conquests. (Isa. 44:28; 45:1) But they fail to grasp the import of this entire portion of the book, because the material specifically deals with foreknowledge, with the ability of God to tell in advance what would happen to his people. This prophecy recorded nearly two hundred years in advance the name of one not yet born who would conquer Babylon and liberate the Jews. Its fulfillment would definitely prove that it was of divine origin. It was not Isaiah’s estimate of the future, but, as he himself wrote, “this is what Jehovah has said.” (Isa. 45:1) Ascribing the writing of this portion of Isaiah to a writer in Cyrus’ time would still not solve the problem for the critics. Why not? Because this portion of the book also foretold in detail events in the earthly life and ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ—things even farther in the future. The fulfillment of these prophecies seals the prophecy of Isaiah as divinely inspired and not a collection of the works of impostors.

Those who deny that Isaiah wrote chapters 40 through 66 usually, for like reasons, deny that he wrote chapter 13, concerning the fall of Babylon. Yet chapter 13 is introduced with the words: “The pronouncement against Babylon that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw in vision.” Obviously, this is the same “Isaiah the son of Amoz” whose name appears in the opening verse of chapter 1.

INTERRELATION WITH OTHER PORTIONS OF THE BIBLE

The writings of Isaiah are extensively interwoven with many other parts of the Bible. A century or more after Isaiah’s time Jeremiah wrote the record found in the books of Kings, and it is interesting to observe that what is recorded at 2 Kings 18:13 to 20:19 is essentially the same as that found in Isaiah chapters 36 to 39. Not only do other prophets cover matters similar to those considered by Isaiah, but there are numerous specific references made to the writings of Isaiah themselves by other Bible writers.

Among the most outstanding and most frequently quoted prophecies from the book of Isaiah are those foretelling details concerning the Messiah. Many of these are specifically quoted and applied by the inspired writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures. Isaiah 7:14, for example, prophesied his birth from a maiden, a virgin girl. (Matt. 1:23) It was foretold that he would be born in the family line of David the son of Jesse (Isa. 9:7; 11:1, 10; Luke 1:32, 33; Rom. 15:8, 12); that someone would call out in the wilderness, preparing the way before this representative of Jehovah. (Isa. 40:3; Mark 1:1-4) His commission was recorded at Isaiah 61:1, 2 (Luke 4:17-21), and it was foretold that as a result of his ministry people in Galilee would see a great light. (Isa. 9:1, 2; Matt. 4:13-16) It was prophesied that he would carry our sicknesses (Isa. 53:4; Matt. 8:16, 17); that he would not be believed in (Isa. 53:1; John 12:37, 38); that he would not wrangle in the streets (Isa. 42:1-4; Matt. 12:14-21); that he would be rejected, a stone of stumbling, but would become the chief cornerstone (Isa. 8:14, 15; 28:16; 1 Pet. 2:6-8); that he would be silent before his accusers, though struck and condemned (Isa. 50:6; 53:7, 8; John 19:3, 9; Mark 14:53-65; 15:1-15); that he would be numbered with transgressors (Isa. 53:12; Matt. 26:55, 56; 27:38); that he would die a sacrificial death to carry away sins and open the way for many to a righteous standing with God (Isa. 53:5, 8, 11, 12; Rom. 4:25), and would be buried with the rich. (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60; John 19:38-42) It is of interest to observe that Jesus Christ and his apostles quoted most frequently from Isaiah to make clear the identification of the Messiah.

This is by no means the full extent to which other inspired Bible writers quoted from the prophecy of Isaiah, but it highlights some of the prophecies for which Isaiah is most widely noted. These prophecies, along with all the rest of the book, magnify Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, as the One who provides this salvation for his people through his anointed Son.

SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK

The very first verse of the book of Isaiah identifies its contents as “the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz that he visioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem.” So, although the book contains prophetic utterances concerning many nations, they are not to be viewed as a collection of disconnected pronouncements concerning these nations. Rather, these are a series of prophecies that had a direct effect on Judah and Jerusalem.

The first six chapters highlight Judah’s guilt before Jehovah and Isaiah’s commission from Jehovah to preach. Chapters 7-12 tell of threatened enemy invasions and promise of lasting relief through the Prince of Peace, the heir of the throne of David. Chapters 13-23 focus attention on the nations surrounding Judah and tell of divine pronouncements of desolations upon them. Chapters 24-35 forecast the salvation to come from Jehovah. Chapters 36-39 relate the deliverance Jehovah actually provides for his faithful people from Assyrian invaders. Chapters 40-66 tell of the release from Babylonian captivity of Jewish exiles and the restoration of Zion.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I. The guilt of Judah and Jerusalem; Isaiah’s commission (1:1–6:13)

A. Sin-sick nation has left Jehovah, who rejects their sacrifices, observances and prayers and invites them to come, set matters straight (1:1-23)

B. Refining, restoration of Zion in righteousness, with judges and counselors (1:24–2:22)

1. Revolters against Jehovah will come to finish

2. Nations will stream to exalted mountain of Jehovah’s house, learn war no more

3. Jehovah exalted, high things and men brought low, idol gods discarded

C. Consequences of sin to befall Judah’s wayward rulers and people, including haughty women (3:1–4:1)

D. Jehovah promises restoration, security for a remnant in Jerusalem (4:2-6)

E. Disobedient Israel and Judah, producing lawlessness, like vineyard producing wild grapes (5:1-7)

F. Jehovah will desolate land and send them into exile for sinfulness, by means of a great nation far away (5:8-30)

G. Isaiah given vision of Jehovah at temple (6:1-13)

1. Is commissioned to preach

2. Told people will continue unresponsive until nation is desolated

II. Threatened enemy invasions and promise of relief (7:1–12:6)

A. Assyria, not confederacy of Syria and Israel, will invade Judah

1. Isaiah takes son Shear-jashub along; informs Ahaz that Syro-Israelite combine will fail

2. A male child, Immanuel, to be born of a maiden as special sign from God; before he is old enough to reject bad and choose good Israel and Syria will be defeated

3. Assyria will bring hard times throughout the land

B. Isaiah and offspring used as signs to Judah (8:1-8, 18)

1. Before Isaiah’s son Maher-shalal-hash-baz can say “My father!” king of Assyria will despoil Damascus and Samaria; will also flood Judah “up to the neck”

C. Jehovah alone to be feared, not what the people fear (8:9-17)

D. Those who apply to spirit mediums and not to God and his law will suffer darkness, hard times (8:19-22)

E. However, light, relief are promised; Prince of Peace will sit in peace on throne of David to time indefinite (9:1-7)

F. Jehovah’s hand is stretched out in judgment against apostates, evildoers, oppressors among his people (9:8–10:4)

G. Assyria is rod of Jehovah’s anger (10:5-34)

1. But because of insolence Jehovah will burn up this “rod”

2. A mere remnant will return from captivity

3. Jehovah will deliver Jerusalem

H. “Twig” will rule and judge with righteousness (11:1–12:6)

1. Complete peace between men and animals, no ruin in all God’s holy mountain

2. “Root of Jesse” will stand as signal for peoples

3. Jealousy between Ephraim and Judah will depart

4. They will acknowledge Jehovah as God of salvation before all the earth

III. Pronouncements of international desolations (13:1–23:18)

A. Pronouncement against Babylon (13:1–14:27)

1. Jehovah will use Babylonian forces as “weapons of his denunciation” but Babylon itself will be overthrown by Medes and eventually become uninhabited

2. Jehovah will show mercy to house of Jacob, ending their captivity

3. Proverbial saying against “king of Babylon” foretells his being cut down to Sheol; Babylon will be desolated

4. Jehovah’s word against Assyria and all other oppressors must come true

B. Pronouncement foretelling Philistia’s desolation (14:28-32)

C. Pronouncement against Moab foretells its despoiling; within three years its glory must be disgraced (15:1–16:14)

D. Desolation will also befall Damascus (Syria) and Ephraim (Israel) (17:1-14)

E. Ethiopia and Egypt are to be destroyed (18:1–20:6)

1. Isaiah walks about naked and barefoot three years as portent of their captivity to king of Assyria

2. Futile for Judah to hope for deliverance by these nations

F. Pronouncements against “the wilderness of the sea” (about the siege and fall of Babylon), Dumah (Edom) and “the desert plain” (Arabia) (21:1-17)

G. “Pronouncement of the valley of the vision” forecasts downtreading of Jerusalem and death for the people; Shebna the steward will be replaced by Eliakim (22:1-25)

H. The pronouncement of Tyre foretells her despoiling by the Chaldeans, according to Jehovah’s counsel; to be “forgotten” for seventy years (23:1-18)

IV. Forecast of salvation by Jehovah (24:1–35:10)

A. Land will be emptied because its inhabitants have bypassed God’s laws, broken his covenant (24:1-23)

B. But Jehovah is a stronghold to the lowly one; He will spread banquet for all peoples and swallow up death forever (25:1-9)

C. Moab will be abased (25:10-12)

D. In Judah people will sing of trust in Jehovah; he will send their oppressive masters into death, will restore his people as from death (26:1-21)

E. Jehovah will kill Leviathan; after “the error of Jacob” is atoned for by the desolation, His people will come from Assyria and Egypt and “bow down to Jehovah in the holy mountain in Jerusalem” (27:1-13)

F. Woe is to come upon “drunkards of Ephraim” and judgment upon the braggarts of Jerusalem (28:1–29:24)

1. Jehovah will speak to the people by those of a different tongue

2. God is laying a tried foundation cornerstone in Zion

3. He will do his unusual work of extermination

4. Ariel (Jerusalem) to be brought low by encamped armies, but delivered by Jehovah’s power

5. Prophets of Israel asleep; neither they nor people understand God’s judgments

6. God will give understanding to meek; they will sanctify his name

G. Alliance with Egypt worthless; will bring shame and breakdown (30:1-33)

1. Yet Jehovah will show himself as Grand Instructor and direct his people

2. God will restore his people and act against Assyria in their behalf

3. Those trusting in Egypt do not seek Jehovah; Egypt will stumble and fall; Jehovah will defeat Assyria (31:1-9)

H. A king will reign in righteousness and, after desolation, peace, righteousness, quietness and security will prevail (32:1-20)

I. The despoiler will be despoiled; Jerusalem will become “an undisturbed abiding place”; Jehovah, Judah’s Judge, Statute-giver and King, will save them (33:1-24)

J. Jehovah executes judgment against all nations in Zion’s legal case (34:1-17)

1. Edom reduced to horrible desolation

2. Edom to be desolated, inhabited by wild animals to time indefinite

K. Desert will blossom, eyes of blind will be opened; those redeemed by Jehovah will joyfully return to Zion on “Way of Holiness” (35:1-10)

V. Jehovah provides deliverance from Assyria in Hezekiah’s day; Babylonian captivity foretold (36:1–39:8; see SENNACHERIB.)

A. Sennacherib, through Rabshakeh, demands Jerusalem’s capitulation (36:1–37:38)

1. Abuses Jehovah’s name before people

2 Hezekiah prays to Jehovah for deliverance

3 Jehovah answers through Isaiah; angel strikes down 185,000 Assyrians

4. Sennacherib returns to Assyria; is killed by two of his sons

B. Hezekiah becomes fatally sick, prays; Jehovah extends his life fifteen years; Hezekiah writes poetic expression of thanks (38:1-22)

C. Merodach-baladan king of Babylon sends letters and gift; Hezekiah unwisely shows messengers all his treasures; Isaiah warns that later the treasures as well as Hezekiah’s sons will be taken away to Babylon as servants (39:1-8)

VI. Release of Jewish captives from Babylon; restoration of Zion (40:1–41:20)

A. Jehovah to lead his people from Babylon back to Jerusalem (40:1-5)

1. One who promises this is One whose word lasts forever, who tenderly cares for his people (40:6-11)

2. Yet this One is all-powerful and all-wise, Creator of all and Source of all dynamic energy (40:12-31)

3. Jehovah comforts Israel, assures them of his help and blessing (41:1-20)

B. Jehovah holds “court” over issue of godship (41:21–46:13)

1. False gods ordered to produce arguments to prove their godship by presenting evidence of their ability to foretell future events (41:21-29)

2. Jehovah’s chosen servant will set justice in earth, open blind eyes, release prisoners (42:1-7)

3. Jehovah will tell his servants in advance the things to take place (42:8, 9)

a. He will regather Jacob (42:10–43:7)

b. Demands that nations produce witnesses in behalf of their gods (43:8, 9)

c. People of Israel are Jehovah’s witnesses; can testify to his ability to foretell future (43:10-13)

d. Jehovah will break Babylon’s power and make a way through the desert for his people, for his own sake (43:14–44:5)

e. Jehovah the only Rock; images absurd, their makers without insight of heart (44:6-20)

f. Jehovah will repurchase Israel; will use Cyrus to subdue Babylon (44:21–46:13)

C. Fall of the world empire of Babylon (47:1–52:12)

1. She has been Mistress but must be taken captive, sit in dust (47:1-11)

2. Her sorcerers will be powerless to deliver her (47:12-15)

3. Israel has been a transgressor; after Jacob’s refining, however, Jehovah will become his Repurchaser from Babylon (48:1-22)

a. Israel’s land will be rehabilitated, ruins restored; nations will see it and come (49:1-26)

b. Jehovah divorced and sold Israel because of her transgressions; but he will redeem her (50:1-3)

c. He gives his servant “the tongue of the taught ones” and declares him righteous (50:4-11)

d. Zion to be made like garden of Jehovah; “cup of rage” will pass from Jerusalem to those irritating her (51:1-23)

e. Zion to be set free from Babylon; feet of one publishing news comely; command given to get out of Babylon, “touch nothing unclean” (52:1-12)

D. Jehovah’s servant, though despised by men, will bring righteous standing to many (52:13–53:12)

1. Will act with insight, though not desirable in appearance to Israel (52:13–53:2)

2. Will carry our sicknesses, be crushed for our errors (53:3-7)

3. Will pour out his soul to death, interpose for transgressors (53:8-12)

E. Zion, long barren, to bring forth sons to continue in Jehovah’s loving-kindness (54:1-17)

1. Will experience expansion; her sons to be taught by Jehovah (54:13)

2. Zion will defeat and condemn every weapon formed against her (54:14-17)

F. Invitation to thirsty ones (55:1–56:8)

1. God’s forgiveness great (55:1-7)

2. His thoughts higher than man’s; his purposes certain to be successfully fulfilled (55:8-13)

3. Obedient eunuchs and foreigners will be blessed; Jehovah’s house will be “a house of prayer for all the peoples” (56:1-8)

G. Depth of prostitution of God’s professed nation (56:9–59:21)

1. Sacrificed to false gods, lowered matters to Sheol (56:9–57:10)

2. Only those lowly in spirit will receive peace (57:11-21)

3. Jehovah desires, not fasting in order to make a show, but practice of justice and compassion (58:1-12)

4. Those delighting in Jehovah, keeping his sabbath will receive hereditary possession (58:13, 14)

5. Israel’s national errors cause division between people and Jehovah (59:1-21)

a. He will put on armor of righteousness, salvation, zeal and vengeance and repay his enemies

b. Repurchaser will come to those turning from transgression; his words will be in their mouth

H. Jehovah’s glory upon Zion (60:1–62:12)

1. Resources of the nations will be brought to her; she will be built with superior materials and qualities (60:1-17)

2. Jehovah will be her indefinitely lasting light (60:18-21)

3. Increase: A little one will become a thousand (60:22)

4. Commission and work of God’s anointed; foreigners will be shepherds of Zion’s flocks; a highway from Babylon is to be cleared, banked up and a signal raised for the people (61:1–62:12)

I. Jehovah, no man being with him, justly executes vengeance upon peoples (63:1-6)

J. God’s people prayerfully acknowledge uncleanness, beg for his aid (63:7–64:12)

K. Jehovah’s forbearance, severity and blessing (65:1-25)

1. Has spread out hands all day to people walking in bad way (65:1-4)

2. Will reward for errors, but spare some as a cluster from a vineyard (65:5-16)

a. Those looking for Jehovah will receive hereditary possession

b. Those worshiping gods of Good Luck and Destiny will be slaughtered

c. God will feed his servants, call them by another name

3. Jehovah creates “new heavens and a new earth” (65:17-25)

a. Long life, blessings and security; no harm or ruin

b. Inhabitants will not bring forth offspring for disturbance; prayers answered

L. Contrite ones accepted; transgressors rejected (66:1-24)

1. Jehovah does not require temple and takes no delight in insincere worship (66:1-4)

2. Sound of Jehovah from temple repaying vengeance to enemies (66:5, 6)

3. Zion brings forth nation in one day, a cause for rejoicing (66:7-14)

4. Jehovah comes against all flesh, reveals glory to all nations, gathers his people together (66:15-21)

6. Offspring and name of faithful will remain standing, just as new heavens and new earth remain; will worship continually without opposition (66:22-24)

See the book “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” pp. 118-123.

[Picture on page 845]

A portion of the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah. What is now numbered as the 40th chapter of Isaiah is here shown beginning on the last line of the column in which chapter 39 concludes