📖 Biblical Definition
The longest of the Major Prophets, sixty-six chapters of prophecy by Isaiah, son of Amoz, in eighth-century BC Jerusalem (during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah). Chapters 1-39 deal predominantly with the immediate situation (Assyrian threat, Judah's sin, immediate judgments). Chapters 40-66 are the Book of Comfort, addressed to a future exilic and restoration-era audience — including the most explicit Servant Songs (chs. 42, 49, 50, 53) prophesying the suffering Messiah.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ISAIAH, n.
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A scriptural proper name; the longest of the Major Prophets.
📖 Key Scripture
Isaiah 6:8 — "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
Isaiah 7:14 — "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isaiah 53:5 — "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."
Isaiah 40:31 — "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity quotes Isaiah 53 at Christmas; the chapter belongs to Good Friday and Easter.
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Isaiah 53 is one of the most theologically loaded chapters in Scripture and is sometimes oddly relegated to the Christmas season because of Isaiah 9:6. Isaiah 53 is a Good Friday and Easter chapter. 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. Penal substitution is in the Old Testament with stunning precision seven hundred years before Calvary.
Read Isaiah whole. The Holy One of Israel is the central character; the suffering Servant is the unfolding Messiah; the new heavens and new earth (chs. 65-66) are the eschatological horizon. Isaiah is the Bible in miniature. The same Lord who said here am I, send me in chapter 6 spoke in Servant-form in chapter 53 and is reigning still.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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H3470 — Yeshayahu — Isaiah; the Lord saves
Usage
"Modern Christianity quotes Isaiah 53 at Christmas; the chapter belongs to Good Friday and Easter."
"Penal substitution is in the OT seven hundred years before Calvary."
"Isaiah is the Bible in miniature; read it whole."