Bible Overview Isaiah
Mike Ervin
Isaiah: Overview
Authorship
Traditional View:
• Isaiah, son of Amoz, a prophet in Judah (8th century BC).
• Prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isaiah
1:1).
• The book is a unified work, foretelling both immediate and distant events.
Modern Scholarly View:
• Many scholars see Isaiah as composed in three sections:
1. Proto-Isaiah (Ch. 1–39) – Written by Isaiah (8th century BC).
2. Deutero-Isaiah (Ch. 40–55) – Written during the Babylonian exile (6th
century BC).
3. Trito-Isaiah (Ch. 56–66) – Written post-exile (5th century BC).
• Some evidence suggests later editorial work and additions.
Date of Authorship
• Traditional: 740–700 BC, during Isaiah’s prophetic ministry.
• Modern Scholarship: Compilation over several centuries (8th–5th century BC).
Intended Audience
• Original Audience: The people of Judah and Jerusalem, calling them to
repentance.
• Exilic & Post-Exilic Audience: Later sections offer hope and restoration
for exiled Jews.
Major Themes
1. Judgment and Redemption – Sin leads to judgment; repentance leads to
restoration.
2. Messianic Prophecies – Foretells the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14,
9:6, 53).
3. God’s Sovereignty – Over nations and history.
4. The Suffering Servant – A figure bringing salvation through suffering
(Isaiah 53).
5. Restoration and New Creation – Future hope for Zion and the world.
Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
I. Judgment & Warnings (Chapters 1–39, Proto-Isaiah)
• Ch. 1–12 – Judah’s sins, call to repentance, Messianic hope.
• Ch. 13–23 – Oracles against foreign nations.
• Ch. 24–27 – Apocalyptic vision of world judgment.
• Ch. 28–35 – Warnings against alliances with Egypt; trust in God.
• Ch. 36–39 – Historical narrative: Assyrian invasion, Hezekiah’s faith.
II. Comfort & Restoration (Chapters 40–55, Deutero-Isaiah)
• Ch. 40 – “Comfort, comfort my people.”
• Ch. 41–48 – God’s sovereignty over history.
• Ch. 49–55 – The Suffering Servant and future restoration.
III. Future Glory (Chapters 56–66, Trito-Isaiah)
• Ch. 56–59 – True worship and justice.
• Ch. 60–62 – The glory of Zion.
• Ch. 63–66 – Final judgment and new creation.