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Kings & Prophets · Old Testament

Isaiah

Major Prophet of Holiness and Hope

Name meaning
The LORD saves or Yahweh is salvation
Name origin
Hebrew: יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Yeshayahu), meaning "the LORD saves"

Quick facts

Occupation
  • Prophet
  • Advisor to kings
Birthplace
Jerusalem (traditionally)
Modern-day location
Jerusalem; this birthplace is given by tradition rather than stated in Scripture.
Family
  • Son of Amoz
  • Father of Shear-jashub and Maher-shalal-hash-baz
  • Married to a prophetess
First mention
2 Kings 19:2; Isaiah 1:1
Last mention
Isaiah 66; traditionally 2 Kings 21:16
Key artifacts
  • Scroll of prophecy
  • Burning coal from altar
  • Vineyard song

Key verses

  • “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

    Isaiah 6:3

  • “Here am I; send me.”

    Isaiah 6:8

  • “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.”

    Isaiah 53:5

Biography

Early Life

Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. In the temple he saw the LORD enthroned and was cleansed by a burning coal.

Defining Biblical Moments

Isaiah warned against empty ritual and injustice, counseled kings against foreign alliances, and spoke of a future suffering servant and prince of peace. His writings combine sharp rebuke with sweeping promises of restoration.

Strengths

Isaiah is marked by reverence for God's holiness, poetic eloquence, and willingness to say "Here am I; send me."

Weaknesses & Lessons

The narrative focuses less on personal flaws and more on the burden of delivering unwelcome truth to resistant hearers over many years.

Life Lessons for Today

Encountering God's holiness leads to humility and service; faithful messaging persists even when response is slow or hostile.

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Isaiah appears in Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament, alongside more profiles like this one.

Page #27 in Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament

Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament front cover

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