Names of the Book
| English: | Isaiah |
| Hebrew: | ישׁעיהוּ |
| Transliterated: | Yeshayahu |
| Other names: |
Who
| Wrote the book: | Isaiah son of Amoz |
| Are the key people: | Isaiah and Shear-Jashub and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (his sons) |
| Is it written to: | The people of the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah |
What
| G-d's Judgment (Isaiah 1-39) |
| G-d's Comfort (Isaiah 40-66) |
When
| Was it written: | c 715 BCE |
| Did the events occur: | c 757-712 BCE |
| Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
| (see the Timeline of the Tanakh) | |
Where
| Was it written: | Jerusalem |
| Did the events occur: | in and around Jerusalem |
Why
| Isaiah was written to inform us that: |
| G-d is Holy. |
| Violation of G-d's covenant results in punishment. |
| G-d provides a Savior. |
| G-d is our only source of hope. |
Introduction
The book of Isaiah is simultaneously historical narrative and prophetic vision describing the sins of Israel and the coming consequence for that sin. Isaiah prophesied as the northern kingdom of Israel was falling deeper into a period of apostasy in the shadow of Assyrian aggression. He delivered G-d's word and a call to repentance to a people who were both "deaf and blind" and refused to heed his warnings of pending destruction. Isaiah warned the people of Judah that their sins would bring G-d's judgment upon them, yet at the same time, he also declared that G-d would use Cyrus the Persian to return them from captivity and exile. Isaiah writes of "a servant," who would be "wounded for our transgressions", that would accomplish G-d's work of salvation. The concluding chapters of the book provide a comforting illustration of the new creation where G-d will rule as King and establish eternal peace.
Scripture- Book Selection