Kingdom of Judah, Assyrian period · around 740–680 BC
Isaiah in the Bible
The prophet of the Holy One of Israel and of the Messiah. Name meaning: “The LORD is salvation”
Isaiah, son of Amoz, prophesies in Jerusalem under four kings of Judah, from Uzziah to Hezekiah, in the days when Assyria dominates the world. Called by an overwhelming vision of God’s holiness, he advises kings, calls for faith, and announces, with unique precision, the birth, suffering, and reign of the Messiah. The New Testament quotes him by name more than twenty times.
Key moments
- Vision of the Lord on his throne, in the year of Uzziah’s death Isaiah 6:1–3
- Answers the call: “Here am I; send me” Isaiah 6:8
- Announces the sign of Immanuel to Ahaz Isaiah 7:14
- Announces the child, “The mighty God, The Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6
- Walks naked and barefoot as a sign against Egypt Isaiah 20:2–3
- Foretells Sennacherib’s failure before Jerusalem Isaiah 37:33–35
- Announces fifteen more years of life to Hezekiah Isaiah 38:5
- Describes the suffering Servant, wounded for our transgressions Isaiah 53:5
Strengths
- Keen awareness of God’s holiness
- Availability
- Courage before kings
- Unshakable faith
- Prophetic vision of the Messiah
Weaknesses
Scripture records no failure on Isaiah’s part; but he himself, before God’s holiness, acknowledges that he is “a man of unclean lips” (6:5). He also knew the weight of a ministry without visible fruit, asking, “Lord, how long?” (6:11).
Lessons for today
- True service begins with an encounter with God’s holiness, the confession of sin, and forgiveness received (6:5-8).
- In a crisis, faith is our only security: “If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established” (7:9).
- Faithfulness, not visible success, is what God asks of his servant, even when facing a people who will not listen (6:9-11).
- All of Scripture leads to Jesus: Isaiah saw his glory and described his cross seven centuries in advance (John 12:41; Isa 53:5).
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
People around Isaiah
- Hezekiah — The king of Judah he advised and supported in prayer
- Ahaz — The unbelieving king to whom he announced the sign of Immanuel
- Shear-jashub and Maher-shalal-hash-baz — His sons, with prophetic names
- The prophetess — His wife
- Jesus Christ — The Messiah whose glory he saw and whose sufferings he foretold
Stories with Isaiah
Quiz: how well do you know Isaiah?
In which year did Isaiah see the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up?
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1
How did Isaiah answer the question “Whom shall I send?”
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” The other answers recall the hesitations of Moses and Jeremiah. Isaiah 6:8
What name was the child announced as a sign to the house of David, in the time of Ahaz, to bear?
“A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:13–14
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.