Name
Isaiah is specifically identified six times in the book as “Isaiah, son of Amoz.” Isaiah means “Yahweh is Salvation.”
Author
Like other books of prophecy, Isaiah’s book is named for its author “Isaiah, son of Amoz.”
Genre
Prophecy
Literary Form
Primarily poetry, with some transitional prose between chapters and a prose section in chapters 36-39.
Time Frame
Isaiah began his prophetic ministry in the last year of Uzziah, 742 B.C. (Isaiah 6:1). His prophetic ministry lasted some 61 years until his death in 681 B.C. (Isaiah 37:38).
Emphasis
The emphasis of Isaiah is on getting the people of Judah to recognize their sin and rebellion against God, and to repent and return to faithful worship of God. Without their repentance, Isaiah warns the people of God’s judgment coming in the Day of the Lord in which God would judge the sinful, rebellious people. God would preserve a remnant of the faithful and restore them, prior to bringing judgment on the rest of the world.
Outline
- The Lord’s charge against the people of Judah (1:1-6:13)
- The promise of deliverance (7:1-12:6)
- The coming judgment upon the nations (13:1-23:18)
- The first cycle of judgment and blessing (24:1-27:13)
- The great woes upon the unbelievers (28:1-33:24)
- The second cycle of judgment and blessing (34:1-39:8)
- God’s restoration of His people (40:1-66:24)
