Isaiah the Prophet

Definition and Meaning

Isaiah is a prophet of the Old Testament. A prophet is a person who receives the word of God and delivers it to the people. The opening verse of the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1) introduces him as the son of Amoz. This Amoz is generally regarded as a different person from the prophet of the Book of Amos. Among Korean Bibles, the Revised Korean Version renders his title as seonjija ("prophet"), while the New Korean Standard Version and the Common Translation use yeeonja ("prophet"). This article deals with Isaiah the person; the book itself is discussed in the article "Isaiah."

Biblical and Historical Background

Isaiah ministered in Jerusalem during the reigns of four kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1). The account of his call as a prophet appears in Isaiah 6. In the year that King Uzziah died, he saw a vision of the holiness of God in the temple and responded, "Here am I; send me" (Isaiah 6:8). This event is generally dated to around 740 BC.

His principal activities recorded in Scripture include the following:

• When Aram and the northern kingdom of Israel threatened Judah, he urged King Ahaz to trust in God and delivered the sign of "Immanuel" (Isaiah 7).
• When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, threatened Jerusalem, he prophesied deliverance to King Hezekiah (Isaiah 36–37; 2 Kings 18–19).
• He brought the ailing Hezekiah word that his life would be extended (Isaiah 38).
• He prophesied through symbolic action, walking naked and barefoot for three years (Isaiah 20).

His wife was called "the prophetess," and the names of his sons, Shear-jashub and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, carried prophetic messages (Isaiah 7:3; 8:3). According to 2 Chronicles, he also recorded the acts of Uzziah and Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 26:22; 32:32). According to tradition, he was martyred by being sawn in two during the reign of King Manasseh, but Scripture does not record this. Some interpreters connect this tradition with Hebrews 11:37.

Scholars disagree on whether Isaiah himself wrote Isaiah 40–66. Conservative evangelical and Reformed scholars generally hold that Isaiah alone wrote these chapters. In historical-critical scholarship, the view that they were written by later authors is widely presented.

Practice in the Korean Church

In the Korean church, Isaiah is frequently cited as a figure who symbolizes calling and dedication. Isaiah 6:8 is a favorite verse at occasions such as commitment to missions, the commissioning of missionaries, dedication services, entrance into seminary, and ordination. The New Testament cites Isaiah's prophecies as referring to the Messiah (Matthew 1:23; Luke 4:17–19; Acts 8:32–35). Accordingly, Isaiah 9:6 is often read and preached during Advent and at Christmas, and Isaiah 53 during Holy Week. Isaiah 40:31 is known as a verse church members especially like to memorize.

In churches that follow the church calendar and a lectionary, the Book of Isaiah is read regularly during Advent. A lectionary is a list of Scripture passages assigned to be read each Sunday in accordance with the church calendar. Such churches include the Anglican Church of Korea, the Lutheran Church in Korea, and some Methodist and Presbyterian churches. In churches that do not use a lectionary, the preacher chooses the text.