The book of Isaiah is one of the greatest books of the Old Testament. It is quoted in the New Testament more than almost any other prophet, and it has been called "the fifth Gospel" because of its many prophecies about the Messiah. Its 66 chapters move from warnings of judgement to some of the most beautiful words of comfort and hope ever written.
Who was Isaiah?
Isaiah, son of Amoz, prophesied in Jerusalem in the 8th century BC, during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Isaiah 1:1). His name means "the LORD is salvation" — a fitting summary of his message. He was married and had sons whose names carried prophetic meaning, and he advised kings during times of national crisis, especially the Assyrian threat.
Isaiah's call (chapter 6)
In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah had a breathtaking vision of God in the temple:
"I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." (Isaiah 6:1, KJV)
Seraphim called out, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (6:3). Overwhelmed by his own sin, Isaiah cried, "Woe is me! for I am undone." A seraph touched his lips with a burning coal, and his sin was taken away. Then God asked, "Whom shall I send?" and Isaiah answered, "Here am I; send me" (6:8).
The vision shaped Isaiah's whole ministry: God is supremely holy, sin is serious, and God graciously cleanses and sends.
The structure of Isaiah
Isaiah is often divided into two main parts:
| Chapters | Main focus |
|---|---|
| 1–39 | Judgement and warning to Judah and the nations, with promises of a coming king; the Assyrian crisis |
| 40–66 | Comfort and hope: return from exile, the Servant of the Lord, and new creation |
Scholars debate how the later chapters were written and compiled; traditionally the whole book has been received as the prophecy of Isaiah. Either way, the book holds together around the theme of the Holy One of Israel, a title used around twenty-five times.
Chapters 1–39: Judgement and the promised King
Isaiah condemned Judah's empty religion, injustice and trust in foreign alliances instead of God. Yet even here, he gave great promises:
- The virgin's son — "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (7:14).
- The child-king — "For unto us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (9:6).
- The branch of Jesse — a descendant of David filled with God's Spirit, who would rule with justice and bring peace even to the animal world (11:1–9).
Chapters 36–39 describe how King Hezekiah trusted God when the Assyrian army surrounded Jerusalem, and how God delivered the city.
Chapters 40–66: Comfort and the Servant
Chapter 40 opens with tender words:
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." (Isaiah 40:1, KJV)
These chapters speak to God's people in exile, promising return, restoration and God's unmatched greatness. Chapter 40 ends with one of the Bible's most-loved promises: "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles" (40:31).
The Servant Songs
Four passages describe a mysterious Servant of the Lord (42:1–9; 49:1–13; 50:4–11; 52:13 – 53:12). The fourth is the most famous — a servant who suffers and dies for the sins of others:
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray…" (Isaiah 53:5–6, KJV)
The New Testament applies this passage directly to Jesus (Acts 8:32–35; 1 Peter 2:22–25).
New heavens and new earth
The book ends with a vision of God creating "new heavens and a new earth" (65:17), where weeping will be heard no more — a hope picked up in Revelation 21.
Isaiah and Jesus
Jesus began his public ministry by reading Isaiah 61:1–2 in the synagogue at Nazareth: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…" and said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:18–21). John the Baptist was "the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness" (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3).
Key themes
- God's holiness — he is the Holy One of Israel.
- Judgement on sin, both for Israel and the nations.
- Trust in God, not human power.
- The coming King and Servant — fulfilled in Jesus.
- Comfort and restoration for God's people.
- Salvation for the nations — Israel is to be "a light to the Gentiles" (49:6).
Reading Isaiah
Isaiah is long and poetic. Try reading chapters 6, 9, 11, 40, 53 and 55 first, then the whole book with a study Bible. Continue with Jeremiah: the weeping prophet, or read Old Testament prophecies about Jesus.