Isaiah

Definition and Meaning

Isaiah is the first of the prophetic books of the Old Testament and contains sixty-six chapters. Korean Protestants group five books—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel—together as the Major Prophets (the longer prophetic books). The book takes its name from the prophet Isaiah, whose name in Hebrew is understood to mean "the LORD is salvation."

Biblical and Historical Background

According to Isaiah 1:1, Isaiah was the son of Amoz and ministered during the reigns of the Judean kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This period is generally dated to the latter half of the eighth century BC. During this time Assyria was expanding its power, the northern kingdom of Israel fell, and Judah also faced grave threats.

The book generally unfolds as follows:

• Chapters 1–39: These chapters proclaim judgment on Judah and the surrounding nations and include the account of Isaiah's call (chapter 6) and the narratives concerning King Hezekiah.
• Chapters 40–66: This section opens with "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people" (Isaiah 40:1). It speaks of restoration through the return from the Babylonian exile and contains the songs concerning "the servant of the LORD."

Views differ on the question of authorship. Scholars who adopt the historical-critical method (an approach that examines the period in which a text was produced and the process by which it took shape) regard chapters 40 onward as the work of later authors, and some divide the book into First, Second, and Third Isaiah, corresponding to chapters 1–39, 40–55, and 56–66. Conservative Reformed and evangelical theology, by contrast, generally holds that Isaiah himself wrote the entire book. In 1947 a nearly complete scroll of Isaiah was discovered at Qumran, near the Dead Sea.

The New Testament frequently quotes Isaiah. Matthew 1:23 cites the Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, and in Luke 4:18–19 Jesus reads from Isaiah 61. Christians have read these passages as prophecies about Jesus Christ.

Use in Korean Churches

In Korean churches, Isaiah is widely used in preaching and Scripture memorization.

• Holy Week: The song of the suffering servant in chapter 53—"he was wounded for our transgressions" (Isaiah 53:5)—is widely read in sermons during Holy Week and on Good Friday across denominations.
• Advent and Christmas: Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, and chapter 11 are frequently used as texts for Advent and Christmas. Churches that follow the church year and a lectionary (a schedule of Scripture readings arranged according to the church year)—including Methodist, Anglican, and Lutheran churches as well as some Presbyterian churches—regularly read Isaiah during Advent.
• Dedication and commissioning: "Here am I; send me" (Isaiah 6:8) is often quoted at dedication services, missionary commissionings, and ordinations.
• Favorite verses: In the New Korean Revised Version, Isaiah 40:31 ("they shall mount up with wings as eagles") and 60:1 ("Arise, shine") are frequently used as New Year mottoes or church mottoes.