Isaiah
The 8th-century prophet of Jerusalem who spoke to kings of Judah about judgment and hope.
What the sources say, and how sure we are
- The text says
Isaiah son of Amoz sees the Lord in the temple in the year King Uzziah died. He advises Ahaz and Hezekiah, including during Sennacherib’s attack in 701 BC.Isa 1:1; Isa 6:1–8; Isa 7; Isa 37
- Outside evidence
Sennacherib’s Prism and the Lachish reliefs record the 701 BC attack in which Isaiah advised Hezekiah. In 2018 an archaeologist reported a seal impression that may read “Isaiah the prophet,” but its reading is disputed.Sennacherib Prism; Lachish reliefs
- Debated
Scholars disagree about whether Isaiah wrote the whole book bearing his name. See the book page.Isa 40–66
- Christian conclusion
The New Testament quotes Isaiah often and applies his words to John the Baptist and to Jesus.Matt 3:3; Isa 53; John 12:38–41