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◄ Book Of Isaiah►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction
The Book of Isaiah is one of the major prophetic books of the Old Testament, attributed to the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz. It is a profound and complex work that spans themes of judgment, redemption, and the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah's ministry occurred during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, approximately from 740 to 680 BC.

Authorship and Structure
Traditionally, Isaiah is considered the sole author of the book, although some scholars propose multiple authorship due to the book's varied content and historical context. The book is generally divided into three sections:
1. Chapters 1-39, often called "First Isaiah," focus on judgment and salvation, addressing the immediate historical context of Judah and its neighbors.
2. Chapters 40-55, known as "Second Isaiah" or "Deutero-Isaiah," emphasize comfort and hope during the Babylonian exile.
3. Chapters 56-66, referred to as "Third Isaiah" or "Trito-Isaiah," address the post-exilic period and the future glory of Zion.

Themes and Theology
The Book of Isaiah is rich in theological themes, including the holiness of God, the sinfulness of humanity, and the promise of redemption. Isaiah presents God as the sovereign ruler of the universe, emphasizing His majesty and righteousness. The prophet calls for repentance and faithfulness, warning of judgment for those who turn away from God.

A central theme is the concept of the "Remnant," a faithful group that will survive God's judgment and fulfill His purposes. Isaiah also introduces the idea of the "Suffering Servant," a figure who will bear the sins of many, a prophecy Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Messianic Prophecies
Isaiah contains numerous prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, which are foundational to Christian theology. Key passages include:
·Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel."
·Isaiah 9:6-7: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
·Isaiah 53:5: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

Historical Context
Isaiah's prophecies were delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, marked by political instability and threats from powerful empires such as Assyria and Babylon. Isaiah warned the people of Judah about the consequences of their idolatry and social injustice, urging them to trust in God rather than foreign alliances.

Literary Features
The Book of Isaiah is renowned for its poetic and literary excellence. It employs vivid imagery, parallelism, and symbolism to convey its messages. The book's language is both majestic and poignant, capturing the grandeur of God's plan and the depth of human sin and redemption.

Significance in Christian Tradition
Isaiah is frequently quoted in the New Testament, underscoring its importance in Christian thought. The book's prophecies are seen as foretelling the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, affirming His role as the promised Messiah. Isaiah's vision of a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17) resonates with the eschatological hope found in the New Testament.

Conclusion
The Book of Isaiah remains a cornerstone of biblical prophecy and theology, offering profound insights into God's character and His redemptive plan for humanity. Its messages of judgment and hope continue to inspire and challenge believers today.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Book Of Isaiah

I. Chapters 1-5 contain Isaiah's prophecies in the reigns of Uzziah and Jotham, foretelling that the present prosperity of Judah should be destroyed, and that Israel should be brought to desolation. In chs. 6, 7 he announces the birth of the child Immanuel, which in ch. 9 is more positively predicted. Chs. 9-12 contain additional prophecies against Israel, chs. (Isaiah 10:5-12) (6) being the most highly-wrought passages in the whole book. Chs. 13-23 contain chiefly a collection of utterances, each of which is styled a "burden," fore-telling the doom of Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Ethiopia, Egypt and Tyre. The ode of triumph in ch. (Isaiah 14:3-23) is among the most poetical passages in all literature. Chs. 24-27 form one prophecy, essentially connected with the preceding ten "burdens," chs. 13-23, of which it is in effect a general summary. Chs. 23-35 predict the Assyrian invasion, and chs. 36-39 have reference to this invasion; prophecies that were so soon fulfilled. (2 Kings 19:35) II. The last 27 chapters form a separate prophecy, and are supposed by many critics to have been written in the time of the Babylonian captivity, and are therefore ascribed to a "later Isaiah;" but the best reasons are in favor of but one Isaiah. This second part falls into three sections, each consisting of nine chapters:--

The first section, chs 40-48 has for its main topic the comforting assurance of the deliverance from Babylon by Koresh (Cyrus), who is even named twice. ch. (Isaiah 41:2,3,25;44:28;45:1-4,13;46:11;48:14,15)
The second section, chs. 49-56, is distinguished from the first by several features. The person of Cyrus as well as his name and the specification of Babylon, disappear altogether. Return from exile is indeed spoken of repeatedly and at length, ch. (Isaiah 49:9-26;51:9-52;12;55:12,13;57:14) but in such general terms as admit of being applied to the spiritual and Messianic as well as to the literal restoration.
This section is mainly occupied with various practical exhortations founded upon the views of the future already set forth. In favor of the authenticity of the last 27 chapters the following reasons may be advanced:-- (a) The unanimous testimony of Jewish and Christian tradition, comp. Ecclus. 48:24, and the evidence of the New Testament quotations. (Matthew 3:3;Luke 4:17;Acts 8:28;Romans 10:16,20) (b) The unity of design which connects these last 27 chapters with the preceding; the oneness of diction which pervades the whole book; the peculiar elevation and grandeur of style which characterize the second part as well as the first; the absence of any other name than Isaiah's claiming the authorship; lastly, the Messianic predictions which mark its inspiration and remove the chief ground of objection against its having been written by Isaiah. In point of style we can find no difficulty in recognizing in the second part the presence of the same plastic genius as we discover in the first.

Library

Assumptions Concerning theBook ofIsaiah.
... VI. ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING THEBOOK OFISAIAH. "Behold... Thebook ofIsaiah is
distinguished by a phraseology peculiar to this prophet. He...

God's Reply to These Assumptions.
... What, therefore, is their testimony concerning the author of thebook ofIsaiah?
Did that prophet write thebook, or is it a patchedbook from various authors?...

TheBook of God
... Oratory like that of thebook ofIsaiah, some of the sentences of the patriarchs,
passages from the Psalms or from the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, the...

Isaiah.
... The Preface toBook i. touches generally upon the character and contents ofIsaiah,
asserting that many of the prophecies are directly applicable to Christ...

Exposition of the Prophecy ofIsaiah Quoted by Jesus.
...Book XI. 11. Exposition of the Prophecy ofIsaiah Quoted by Jesus. And,
after this, wishing to refute completely from the words...

Preface to the Second Edition.
... revision, which I was unable to undertake, into the hands of a scholar already known
to students of the Greek Old Testament by hisBook ofIsaiah according to...

Book viii. On the Various Meanings of Words and Names
...Book VIII. On the Various Meanings of Words and Names.... [Matt.7:14]. Orderly is the
arrangement of the teachings of God; inIsaiah: make right his path. [Is.40:3]...

The Ascension ofIsaiah.
... as Origen speaks of "the two seraphim with six wings, the only-begotten Son of God,
and the Holy Ghost." [303] In this portion of thebook Isaiah foretells the...

Old Testament Hymns
... My heart rejoiceth in the Lord (I Sam.2:1-10); the great hymns in theBook
ofIsaiah,. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts (Isa.6:3),....

John Chapter viii. 13, 14
... Let thebook ofIsaiah be produced by the Jews, and let us see if it is not there
we read, "He was led as a sheep to be slaughtered, and as a lamb before his...