Isaiah--About the Book

Think of the book of Isaiah as a compilation. It is likely that Isaiah was a court scribe under two or three different Judean kings. This would explain his easy access to the various kings under whose reigns he ministered. If it is true what Jewish tradition says of him, that he was the nephew of King Amaziah and thus first cousin to Uzziah then the idea of his being the royal scribe is even more likely. It is certain that his ministry spanned many years. At a minimum it began toward the end of Uzziah and lasted through most of Hezekiah. Witness:

Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

If we give him ten years of Uzziah's reign (as is likely) all the way until the end of Hezekiah's reign, that would be seventy-one years. Jewish tradition says he was martyred by wicked King Manasseh who had the prophet sawn in half. If true, this would explain the reference in Hebrews 11:

"Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."

But there is little to confirm this and we may note that Manasseh is not mentioned in 1:1 as one of the kings under whom Isaiah ministered, so there is some doubt.

Regardless, we are looking at a man who ministered a very long time under various spiritual, political, and economic circumstances. Much history took place during this time, especially much of import to the biblical narrative. It was during Hezekiah's reign that the northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria and its people were carried away to a foreign land never to return. While Uzziah and Jotham were "good" kings, Ahaz was wicked. Hezekiah came along and proved to be better than the first two, but then he turned the kingdom over to his son Manasseh who would turn out to be the worst Judean king of all.

So what exactly is the book of Isaiah? It is a compilation of the recorded prophecies of Isaiah. Whether Isaiah himself penned them or they were penned by one or more others it matters little. There is evidence that we have what may have been originally as many as three or four different collections combined into one scroll and chapter one may have been written at the time of that compilation--for chapter one probably serves as a good summary or introduction to the whole.

Let us divide the book up, shall we? Here's a good way to look at it:

Chapters 2 - 5 fit very well with prophecies probably delivered toward the end of the reign of Uzziah.

Chapter 6 is an important vision and re-commissioning at the end of Uzziah's reign.

Chapters 7 - 12 fit the reign of Ahaz.

Chapters 13 - 23 are a collection of oracles against the nations.

Chapters 24 - 33 probably fit the reign of Hezekiah and the buildup to the invasion of Sennacherib, King of Assyria.

Chapters 34 and 35 summarize the material given up until this time.

Chapters 36 - 39 are narrative writings giving us a glimpse inside the court of King Hezekiah in a time of national crisis.

Chapters 40 - 66 are so grand in theme and scope that we will save any discussion of them for a distant time.