Book of Isaiah facts for kids
The Book of Isaiah (pronounced Eye-ZAY-uh) is a special book in the Bible. Many people believe it was written by a Prophet named Isaiah. He lived a long, long time ago, around the 700s BC.
The Book of Isaiah is full of important messages and predictions. It talks about ancient Israel, its people, and their enemies. Most people think Isaiah wrote all 66 chapters. However, some believe that other writers might have added parts later. This is because some sections talk about events that happened after Isaiah's time. Also, Isaiah's name isn't mentioned after Chapter 39.
Isaiah, the son of Amoz, lived in the Kingdom of Judah. This was during the time of four different kings in the 700s BC. During this period, a powerful empire called Assyria was growing. They conquered many lands, including parts of what is now Syria and Israel. They also attacked Judah in 701 BC.
Later, around 586 BC, the city of Jerusalem was defeated by Babylon. Many important people from Jerusalem were taken away to live in Babylon. Chapters 40 to 55 of Isaiah offer hope to these exiled Jewish people. They talk about returning home. This was around the time of King Cyrus the Great. He became a powerful ruler in what is now Iran around 559 BC. By 540 BC, he ruled a huge empire. In 539 BC, he conquered Babylon. Isaiah's predictions about Babylon's fall and his words about Cyrus helping Israel fit this time period.
The Persians, led by Cyrus, allowed the Jewish people to return home. By 515 BC, some had returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt their special Temple. The last chapters of Isaiah talk about these events.
Contents
What's Inside the Book of Isaiah?
The Book of Isaiah can be split into three main parts:
Chapters 1-39: Messages of Judgment and Hope
The first 39 chapters contain messages about how God would judge his people for their mistakes. Other nearby countries were also judged. But mixed with these warnings were promises that God would help those who obeyed Him.
Chapters 40-57: Comfort and Deliverance
These chapters tell how God would save and comfort His people. They speak of a special leader, a Messiah, who would suffer for others. This suffering would bring forgiveness and blessings. King Cyrus is also mentioned as God's helper, freeing the Jewish people from their exile in Persia.
Chapters 58-66: A Future of Peace
The final chapters describe a wonderful future time. It's a time of peace and happiness when everything will be well for everyone.
Why Is Isaiah Important?
The Book of Isaiah has been very important to different religions for a long time.
In Judaism
Isaiah was one of the most popular books for Jewish people from about 515 BC until 70 AD. Isaiah's words about a "shoot [which] will come up from the stump of Jesse" were seen as referring to a future Messiah and a special time of peace. A very important part of Isaiah for Jewish people are the "Songs of the Suffering Servant" found in chapters 42, 49, 50, and 52. These songs describe a servant of God who leads nations, is treated badly, but sacrifices himself for others, and is finally rewarded.
In Christianity
Early Christians believed that Isaiah 52:13–53:12 was a prediction about the death and victory of Jesus. Jesus himself seemed to agree with this idea, as mentioned in Luke 4:17–21. Because of its clear messages about Jesus and the Church, some even called Isaiah "the Fifth Gospel."
Isaiah's words have also become famous in English literature and Western culture. For example, parts of the book were used in Handel's famous musical work "Messiah." You might also hear phrases like "swords into plowshares" (meaning turning weapons into farming tools) or "voice in the wilderness" (meaning someone whose advice is ignored), which come from Isaiah.
Famous Quotes
- "Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is an everlasting God."
(Isaiah chapter 40 verse 28, from the Good News Bible)
Images for kids
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The Isaiah Scroll, the oldest surviving copy of Isaiah. It was found with the Dead Sea scrolls and is very similar to modern versions of the text.
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A famous painting of Isaiah by Michelangelo (around 1508–12) in the Sistine Chapel ceiling in Vatican City.
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A detail at the entrance of 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Rockefeller Center, New York City. It shows a verse from Isaiah 33:6.
See also
In Spanish: Libro de Isaías para niños
