Isaiah

God confronts Judah's rebellion, comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah. He rejects their empty religious rituals and calls them to genuine justice and repentance, promising cleansing for those who return to Him.

Isaiah envisions the future exaltation of God's temple above all mountains, with nations streaming to learn His ways. The chapter contrasts this glorious future with present-day idolatry and human pride that will be humbled.

God removes Judah's leadership and stability as judgment for their sin. The chapter describes social collapse and specifically addresses the proud women of Zion, warning that their luxury will be replaced with shame.

After judgment, God promises a remnant will be called holy. He will create a canopy of glory over Mount Zion, providing shelter and protection — a beautiful picture of restoration after discipline.

The famous Song of the Vineyard portrays Israel as God's carefully tended vineyard that produced only bad fruit. Six woes follow, condemning greed, drunkenness, and moral confusion — calling evil good and good evil.

Isaiah's dramatic throne room vision of God's holiness. Seraphim cry Holy Holy Holy as Isaiah is undone by his uncleanness. A burning coal purifies his lips, and he responds to God's call with the famous words: Here am I, send me.

During the Syro-Ephraimite crisis, God tells King Ahaz not to fear and offers a sign. When Ahaz refuses, God gives the Immanuel prophecy — a virgin will conceive and bear a son. This becomes a key messianic text.

God instructs Isaiah to name his son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz as a sign of coming Assyrian invasion. The chapter warns against consulting mediums instead of God and describes growing darkness for those who reject His word.

From the darkness of chapter 8 comes glorious light. The famous messianic prophecy declares a child is born whose name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace — one of the most beloved Christmas passages.

God uses Assyria as His rod of discipline against Israel but will then judge Assyria for its arrogance. A remnant of Israel will return, trusting in God rather than their oppressors.

A shoot from Jesse's stump will bear fruit — the Spirit-filled messianic King who judges with righteousness. His kingdom brings cosmic peace where the wolf lies with the lamb, and knowledge of God covers the earth.

A short hymn of thanksgiving concluding the first major section of Isaiah. The redeemed sing of God's salvation with joy, drawing water from the wells of salvation and proclaiming His deeds among the nations.

The first of Isaiah's oracles against the nations targets Babylon. God summons warriors for the Day of the Lord — a day of destruction, darkness, and cosmic upheaval against Babylon's pride.

Continues the Babylon oracle with a taunt song against the fallen king. The passage about the morning star falling from heaven has been historically interpreted as describing Satan's fall. Israel's restoration is contrasted with Babylon's ruin.

An oracle against Moab describing the nation's devastation. Isaiah shows genuine grief over Moab's suffering — his heart cries out for them — revealing God's compassion even in judgment of enemy nations.

Continues the Moab oracle, urging Moab to seek shelter under Judah's king. The chapter prophesies Moab's eventual humbling within three years and expresses Isaiah's deep sorrow over their coming destruction.

An oracle against Damascus and northern Israel (Ephraim) who allied against Judah. Both will face devastation, but a remnant will turn back to God, forsaking their idols and altars to false gods.

An oracle concerning Cush (Ethiopia/Sudan), describing a powerful nation beyond the rivers. God watches from His dwelling as events unfold, and eventually Cush will bring gifts to the Lord on Mount Zion.

An oracle against Egypt describing civil war, economic collapse, and spiritual confusion. Remarkably, it ends with Egypt, Assyria, and Israel worshiping God together — one of the most inclusive visions in the Old Testament.

God commands Isaiah to walk naked and barefoot for three years as a prophetic sign against Egypt and Cush. This dramatic acted prophecy warns Judah not to trust in Egyptian military alliances for deliverance.

Oracles against Babylon (the Desert by the Sea), Edom (Dumah), and Arabia. Isaiah is physically shaken by his vision of Babylon's fall, crying out like a watchman in the night about what he has seen.

An oracle against the Valley of Vision (Jerusalem itself). While the people party, Isaiah weeps over coming destruction. The chapter also addresses Shebna's demotion and Eliakim's elevation as steward — a type of Christ's authority.

An oracle against Tyre, the great Phoenician trading city. Its commercial empire will be destroyed for seventy years, then restored — but ultimately its wealth will be dedicated to the Lord.

The Isaiah Apocalypse begins. The entire earth faces devastating judgment — the land is laid waste, social order collapses, and even the cosmic powers are shaken. Yet the chapter ends with God reigning gloriously on Mount Zion.

A triumphant hymn of praise within the apocalyptic section. God will swallow up death forever, wipe away tears from all faces, and prepare a great feast for all peoples on His mountain — imagery echoed in Revelation.

A song of trust and salvation. The righteous enter the strong city of God, kept in perfect peace because they trust in Him. Includes a vision of resurrection — the dead will live and their bodies will rise.

God will punish Leviathan, the twisting serpent, and care for His vineyard Israel. Unlike chapter 5's judgment, here God tenderly watches over His vineyard. Israel will blossom and fill the earth with fruit.

Woe to the drunkards of Ephraim whose glorious beauty is fading. Isaiah confronts leaders who mock his message. God will lay a precious cornerstone in Zion — a messianic prophecy — while judgment comes like a flood on the scoffers.

Woe to Ariel (Jerusalem) — God will besiege His own city, yet enemies will vanish like a dream. The chapter condemns lip-service worship and announces that God will do a wonderful work, turning Lebanon into a fruitful field.

Woe to those who trust Egypt rather than God. Judah's alliance with Egypt is futile — like trusting a cracked wall. Yet God longs to be gracious, waiting to show compassion, and promises to guide His people with a word behind them.

Another warning against relying on Egypt's horses and chariots instead of God. The Lord will fight for Jerusalem like a lion over its prey, and like birds hovering to protect their young — He will shield and deliver Zion.

A king will reign in righteousness and leaders will provide shelter like streams in the desert. After warning complacent women about coming hardship, the chapter promises the Spirit will be poured out, bringing justice, peace, and security.

A prayer for God's intervention against Assyria. When the destroyer finishes, he will be destroyed. Those who walk righteously will see the King in His beauty and dwell securely in Zion where God is judge, lawgiver, and king.

A terrifying oracle of universal judgment. God's wrath falls on all nations, particularly Edom, in apocalyptic language of cosmic destruction. The sword of the Lord is bathed in blood as He executes justice on the earth.

A breathtaking vision of restoration — the desert blooms, the blind see, the lame leap, and a highway of holiness leads the redeemed home to Zion with everlasting joy. One of Isaiah's most beautiful chapters of hope.

The historical narrative begins: Assyria's commander Rabshakeh besieges Jerusalem and taunts King Hezekiah, mocking Judah's trust in God and Egypt. He tries to undermine the people's faith by speaking in Hebrew to the crowds on the wall.

Hezekiah prays desperately before God, spreading the threatening letter in the temple. Isaiah prophesies Assyria's defeat. That night, the angel of the Lord strikes 185,000 Assyrian soldiers — a dramatic divine deliverance.

Hezekiah falls mortally ill and God adds fifteen years to his life after his tearful prayer. Hezekiah writes a psalm of thanksgiving, reflecting on his brush with death and God's faithfulness in restoring him.

Hezekiah foolishly shows Babylon's envoys all his treasures. Isaiah prophesies that everything will be carried off to Babylon — a pivotal moment linking the Assyrian crisis to the coming Babylonian exile.

The great turning point: Comfort, comfort my people. God's glory will be revealed as He comes with power yet tenderly carries His flock. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, mount up with wings like eagles — one of the Bible's most beloved promises.

God assures fearful Israel: Do not fear, for I am with you. He will strengthen, help, and uphold them with His righteous right hand. The chapter contrasts powerless idols with the living God who holds His people.

The first Servant Song introduces God's chosen Servant who will bring justice to the nations with gentleness — not breaking a bruised reed or snuffing a faintly burning wick. A new song of praise follows, and God promises to lead the blind by new paths.

God declares He has redeemed Israel by name and will be with them through fire and flood. The famous promise — when you pass through the waters, I will be with you — is paired with God's declaration that He makes all things new.

God pours out His Spirit on Israel's descendants and mocks the absurdity of idol-making — a craftsman uses half a log for cooking and carves the other half into a god. God alone is the Rock; there is no other.

God calls Cyrus by name as His anointed (messiah) to conquer Babylon and free Israel — remarkable because Cyrus doesn't even know God. The chapter declares God's absolute sovereignty: He forms light and creates darkness, makes peace and creates calamity.

Babylon's idols Bel and Nebo are carried away on beasts, burdens to their worshipers. God contrasts this: He has carried Israel from birth to old age. Idols must be carried; God carries His people.

A dramatic taunt against Babylon, personified as a pampered queen who will be reduced to a slave grinding grain. Her sorceries and astrologers cannot save her. Babylon's fall is certain and complete.

God challenges stubborn Israel: He declared things beforehand so they couldn't credit idols. He refines them in affliction's furnace and calls them to leave Babylon. Yet there is no peace for the wicked.

The second Servant Song: the Servant is called from the womb as a light to the nations. Though Israel feels forgotten, God inscribes them on His palms. The Servant's mission expands beyond Israel to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

The third Servant Song: the Servant's obedience despite suffering. He offers his back to those who strike him and his cheeks to those who pull out his beard. He sets his face like flint, trusting God to vindicate him — a clear foreshadowing of Jesus's passion.

God encourages the faithful remnant to look back at Abraham — one man called, yet God made him many. Salvation is eternal, outlasting the heavens. The chapter calls Jerusalem to awake and shake off the dust of captivity.

Zion is told to awake, put on beautiful garments, and shake off chains. The famous declaration: how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. The chapter ends with the fourth Servant Song beginning — the Servant will be disfigured beyond recognition.

The climactic Suffering Servant passage: He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows. He bore our griefs, was pierced for our transgressions, and by His wounds we are healed. He was led like a lamb to slaughter. The most detailed messianic prophecy in the Old Testament.

After the Servant's sacrifice comes restoration: the barren woman sings because her children will be more than the married woman's. God promises unfailing covenant love — His kindness will never depart. No weapon formed against His people will prosper.

A magnificent invitation: Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters — buy wine and milk without money. Seek the Lord while He may be found. God's thoughts are higher than ours, and His word never returns empty but accomplishes its purpose.

God's salvation extends to foreigners and eunuchs who keep His covenant — no one is excluded. His house will be a house of prayer for all nations. But Israel's watchmen are blind and its shepherds lack understanding.

The righteous perish unnoticed while the wicked practice idolatry. Yet God lives in a high and holy place AND with the contrite and lowly in spirit. He promises to heal, guide, and create praise on the lips of mourners. But again — no peace for the wicked.

True fasting is not ritual hunger but justice: loosing chains of injustice, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless. When Israel practices true righteousness, their light will break forth like dawn and God will satisfy and guide them continually.

Israel's sins have separated them from God — His arm is not too short to save, but their iniquities have hidden His face. Sin is vividly described. God Himself puts on righteousness as armor and comes as Redeemer to Zion.

Arise, shine, for your light has come! Nations stream to Zion's light, bringing wealth and worship. The sun will no longer be needed because God Himself will be the everlasting light — imagery fulfilled in Revelation's New Jerusalem.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me — to proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for captives, and comfort all who mourn. Jesus read this passage in Nazareth and declared it fulfilled. Beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning.

God will not rest until Zion's righteousness shines like a blazing torch. Jerusalem receives a new name and is no longer called forsaken. Watchmen on the walls give God no rest, praying continually until He establishes Jerusalem as the praise of the earth.

God comes from Edom with garments stained crimson, having trodden the winepress of judgment alone. The chapter shifts to a poignant prayer recalling God's faithfulness to Israel in the past while lamenting their present hardened state.

A passionate prayer for God to rend the heavens and come down. Israel confesses that all their righteous acts are like filthy rags. They plead with God as the potter who shaped them — do not be angry beyond measure, remember we are your people.

God responds to the prayer: He has always been available to those who didn't seek Him, yet Israel provoked Him. He promises new heavens and a new earth where weeping is no more, life is long, and the wolf and lamb feed together — ultimate restoration.

The grand finale: heaven is God's throne and earth His footstool — what house could contain Him? He values the humble and contrite. Zion gives birth to a nation in a day. God gathers all nations to see His glory. A vision of eternal worship and the new creation.