Isaiah 1:1

DIVISION I (Isaiah 1-12)

This division has prophecies concerning Judah and Jerusalem, closing with promises of restoration and a psalm of thanksgiving.

This chapter has the title for the whole prophecy (Isaiah 1:1), God's complaint against Israel (Isaiah 1:2-9), the statement that Israel has no excuse (Isaiah 1:10-15), a summary of God's requirements (Isaiah 1:16-20), the prophet's lament over Jerusalem (Isaiah 1:21-23), and a declaration of God's judgment upon the apostate people (Isaiah 1:24-31).

Isaiah 1:1

"The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah."

The critical viewpoint that alleges an error in this title because the whole prophecy of Isaiah does indeed have many prophecies concerning other cities and nations besides Judah and Jerusalem is in error because all of the prophecies throughout the whole Book of Isaiah are included because of their relationship to the covenant people of Judah and Jerusalem, and because of their bearing upon the ultimate achievement of God in his purpose of salvation for mankind. As Rawlinson noted, "In the scriptural sense, all prophecy relates to Judah and Jerusalem."[1]

"The vision ..." "This is a technical term for `Divine Revelation," as something displayed before the mind's eye of the prophet.[2] Actually, much of the Book of Isaiah was communicated to the prophet in a manner unknown to us, as the author of Hebrews put it, "by various manners and various portions" Hebrews 1:1, NIV. There are also examples of "visions" in the usual sense, as in Isaiah 6.

"The son of Amoz ..." This is not the same name as "Amos." The meaning of Amoz, the father of Isaiah, is "strong" or "brass." The name which he gave to his son (Isaiah) means "salvation is of the Lord," or "Jehovah is helper." It is supposed by some that Amoz was the uncle of Uzziah, which, if true, would make Isaiah the king's cousin.[3] Whether or not this is true, Isaiah was certainly well educated and was apparently of high social standing as indicated by his easy access to the presence of the king and his familiarity with royal problems.

Some have wondered why Manasseh was not mentioned here by Isaiah, since it is certain that Manasseh was associated with Hezekiah in the throne for the last ten years of Hezekiah's reign (see introduction). Added to this is the well established tradition that Isaiah was "sawn asunder" by Manasseh, a tradition accepted by many Jewish authorities and seemingly suggested by Hebrews 11:37. The evil character of Manasseh could have been the reason for Isaiah's omission of his name here. After all, Hezekiah was actually the monarch on the throne during the first ten years of the period assigned to the reign of Manasseh, a fact proved by the truth stated in 2 Chronicles 32:32, where it is stated that Isaiah wrote the biography of Hezekiah including "the rest of his acts" in the prophecy called the "Vision of Isaiah."