Isaiah - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Isaiah (Hebrew: יְשַׁעְיָהוּ, Yeshayahu), one of the most prominent prophets of the Hebrew Bible, was an 8th-century BCE Judean prophet whose profound visions and eloquent prose have shaped religious thought, political discourse, and cultural expression for nearly three millennia. Also known as Isaias in Latin and Greek texts, Isaiah's name means "YHWH (the Lord) is salvation," reflecting the central theme of his prophetic message.
First mentioned in biblical texts during the reigns of Judean kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (circa 740-686 BCE), Isaiah emerged at a crucial historical juncture when the Assyrian Empire threatened the very existence of the Kingdom of Judah. The biblical account places his calling in "the year that King Uzziah died" (circa 742 BCE), when he experienced a transformative vision in the Temple, featuring six-winged seraphim and a divine commission to speak truth to power. Contemporary archaeological findings, including the Siloam Inscription and various royal seals, have provided fascinating historical context to Isaiah's era.
The book bearing his name represents a complex literary achievement, leading scholars to identify multiple authorial voices (Proto-Isaiah, Deutero-Isaiah, and Trito-Isaiah), spanning from the 8th to the 6th centuries BCE. This multilayered composition contains some of the most memorable prophecies in religious literature, including the Emmanuel prophecy and the Suffering Servant poems, which have profoundly influenced both Jewish and Christian interpretations. The discovery of the Great Isaiah Scroll among the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 offered unprecedented insights into the text's transmission and early interpretation.
Isaiah's legacy extends far beyond religious circles, influencing political movements, literature, and art across cultures. His vivid imagery of swords being beaten into plowshares has become a universal symbol of peace, while his visions of social justice continue to inspire modern humanitarian efforts. Contemporary scholarship continues to uncover new layers of meaning in his writings, while his prophecies of ultimate redemption and universal peace remain a source of hope and contemplation in an increasingly complex world. What messages might this ancient voice still hold for our modern challenges of social justice, international conflict, and spiritual seeking?