Isaiah

Isaiah is a major figure in the Hebrew Bible and the name of the book attributed to him. The Book of Isaiah is one of the major prophetic writings in both Jewish and Christian traditions, known for its literary breadth and theological depth. In most Christian editions it comprises 66 chapters and is frequently cited for its themes of holiness, judgment, and hope.

Traditionally, Isaiah is identified as a prophet who operated in Jerusalem during the 8th century BCE, in the later part of the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, addressing Judah and other nations. Modern biblical scholarship often treats the book as a composite work produced by multiple authors over differing periods. The commonly recognized divisions are Proto-Isaiah (chapters 1–39), Deutero-Isaiah (chapters 40–55) associated with the Babylonian exile, and Trito-Isaiah (chapters 56–66) written in the post-exilic era. The material is interwoven with historical context and prophetic message.

Content centers on judgment and redemption, with calls to repentance, calls for social justice, and visions of future salvation. Prominent motifs include the sovereignty and holiness of God, the vision of a new order, the Immanuel prophecy, and the suffering servant passages in chapters 52–53, which have been interpreted in diverse ways within Judaism and Christianity. The book also features apocalyptic and eschatological imagery, including imagery of a new heaven and a new earth.

Isaiah has exerted extensive influence on religious thought, liturgy, and art. In Judaism, it is valued for ethical exhortation and monotheistic emphasis; in Christianity, many passages are read as messianic prophecies and foundational theological themes. The prophet Isaiah remains a central figure in biblical literature and ancient Near Eastern studies.