Isaiah, << y ZAY uh, >> Book of, is a book of the Bible that is named for the Hebrew prophet Isaiah. It is the longest of the group of Biblical books known as the Prophets. Many scholars believe the book was written by a number of authors from the 700’s to the 500’s B.C.
The first 39 chapters, often called First Isaiah, consist of the prophecies of Isaiah of Judah, who lived in Jerusalem during the 700’s B.C. Most of his prophecies occurred during the reign of King Hezekiah. First Isaiah told the Jews to have faith and to trust only in God, rather than in political or military actions. The prophet stressed the idea that God punished his enemies, and saved and protected the faithful. This section also taught that God’s power was universal, not limited to the Jews.
Chapters 40-55 are often called Second, or Deutero, Isaiah. The writer of these chapters probably lived during a period of captivity called the Babylonian Exile, which began in 587 or 586 B.C. During this time, many Jews were held captive in Babylon. Second Isaiah offered hope and consolation by correctly prophesying the Jews’ return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C. The author of this section introduced the idea of the suffering servant. The servant has been interpreted as an individual and as the entire Jewish people. According to Second Isaiah, the servant will be ignored and abused, but his message of justice and truth will finally triumph.
Some scholars believe that a third prophet, or a group of prophets, wrote chapters 56-66. This section is sometimes called Third, or Trito, Isaiah. It was written after the return from the exile in Babylon and reflects religious conditions in Jerusalem at this time. Third Isaiah provides instructions to help the Jews reestablish their faith and procedures for worship.
