Isaiah: A Prophet For The Ages (Old Testament)

Essay by d1684University, Bachelor'sA+, January 2009

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Isaiah: A Prophet For The Ages

By DWT

Written nearly 3,000 years ago, the book of Isaiah is the cornerstone of the Old Testament. It is the longest prophetic book in the Bible and contains numerous prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. According to Jay P. Green's Literal Translation p.976, the following verses of Isaiah are quoted or alluded to in the New Testament relating to Jesus: Isa 6:9,10 (Mt 13:14; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10), Isa 9:14,15 (Mt 21:44; Lk 20:18), Isa 13:9,10 (Mt 24:29; Mk 13:24; Lk 21:25), Isa 22:22 (Rev 3:7), Isa 29:13 (Mt 14:8,8; Mk 7:6,7), Isa 36:5,6 (Mt 11:5; 9:27), Isa 39:8 (Mk 13:31), Isa 42:7 (Lk 4:18), Isa 53:12 (Lk 22:37), Isa 54:13 (Jn 6:45) Isa 56:7 (Mt 21:13; Mk 11:17; Lk 19:46), Isa 61:1 (Lk 4:18), Isa 66:1, 66:24 (Mt 5:34;25; Mk 9:44,46,48). In this light, Isaiah might also be called the foundation of the New testament as well.

Isaiah was the son of Amoz. Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.527 mentions a rabbinic tradition that Amoz was a brother of king Amaziah, so Isaiah would be of royal blood. However, The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.4 says this is a Jewish tradition that Amoz was of royal blood cannot be substantiated. But seeing that Isaiah had access to various Kings throughout his lifetime would seem to substantiate he was indeed of noble blood.

Isaiah was called to be a prophet by God in 740 B.C., the year of king Uzziah's death. Isaiah may have died in 681 B.C. Hebrews 11:37 seems to allude to Isaiah dying by martyrdom (by being sawn in two). This was probably done under the reign of King Manasseh, the evil king who followed Hezekiah. Issac Asimov, in Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.546 said this was...