What Is the Book of Isaiah About — In Biblical Context
The Book of Isaiah is a sweeping prophecy of judgment and salvation, presenting the Messiah as the suffering Servant and foretelling the redemption of Israel and the nations.
The Book of Isaiah is a sweeping prophecy of judgment and salvation, presenting the Messiah as the suffering Servant and foretelling the redemption of Israel and the nations.
"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. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." — Isaiah 6:1-3 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Isaiah is the longest prophetic book in the Bible and has been called the 'fifth Gospel' because of its detailed Messianic prophecies. Written by Isaiah son of Amoz, who ministered in Judah during the eighth century BC, the book divides naturally into two major sections. Chapters 1-35 focus on God's judgment against Judah's sin and the nations' pride, alternating between messages of doom and promises of future restoration. The centerpiece is Isaiah's temple vision (chapter 6), where he saw the Lord high and lifted up, received his call, and heard the angelic chorus, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts.' Chapters 36-39 provide historical narrative about the Assyrian threat and Hezekiah's reign. Chapters 40-66 shift to comforting words for the future exiles, promising deliverance from Babylon and ultimately pointing to spiritual salvation through the Servant of the Lord. Isaiah contains more prophecies about Jesus Christ than any other Old Testament book: His virgin birth (7:14), His divine names (9:6), His ministry in Galilee (9:1-2), His meekness (42:1-4), His rejection and suffering (52:13-53:12), and His glorious reign (11:1-10). The suffering Servant passage in Isaiah 53 is the clearest Old Testament picture of substitutionary atonement: '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.' Isaiah also presents profound theology about God's uniqueness, sovereignty, and redemptive plan for all nations. The book demonstrates that God's judgment is always aimed at producing repentance and that His ultimate purpose is the restoration of all things through the Messiah.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Isaiah 6:1-3, sits inside Isaiah 6. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
Supporting Passages
"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. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
"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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
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