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.
Read it in contextThe Great Arraignment and Call to Repentance
Start reading at Isaiah 1:1 (Isaiah 1:1 to Isaiah 1:31).
This verse serves as the superscription for the entire book of Isaiah, introducing the prophet and the scope of his message. The immediate context of chapter 1 is an indictment of Judah's rebellion and a call to repentance.
1:1The 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.
1:2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
1:3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
1:4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
1:5Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
1:6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
1:7Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
1:8And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
1:9Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
1:10Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
1:11To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
1:12When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
1:13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
1:14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
1:16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
1:17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
1:18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
1:19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
1:20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
1:21How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
1:22Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
1:23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
1:24Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
1:25And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
1:26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
1:27Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
1:28And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
1:29For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
1:30For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
1:31And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Isaiah son of Amoz is the named prophet and the traditional author. The New Testament attributes passages from both earlier and later portions to Isaiah; scholars differ about the book's later composition and collection. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; John 12:38; John 12:39. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Isaiah 1:1–5:30): Judah and Jerusalem are the principal hearers of Isaiah's warnings; rulers, worshippers, and the people are challenged concerning their conduct. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem are the principal named audience, with messages also concerning Israel and other nations. Later portions address God's people in the horizon of exile, return, and restoration. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 48:20. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is a vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which encompasses God's message of judgment and a call to repentance for His people.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His prophetic message through Isaiah, addressing the spiritual and moral condition of Judah and Jerusalem, and foretelling future events concerning them.
What is the literary style? The literary style is prophetic vision, introduced by a superscription that identifies the prophet, the subject, and the historical period.
When
When was it written? The book of Isaiah was written approximately 700 to 680 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events and prophecies within the vision concern the period during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which spanned approximately 740 to 680 B.C.
Where
Where did it happen? The vision concerns the kingdom of Judah and its capital city, Jerusalem.
Where was the author located? The author, Isaiah, was located in Jerusalem when he wrote this book.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Great Arraignment and Call to Repentance (Isaiah 1:1 to Isaiah 1:31).
Start reading at Isaiah 1:1. This verse serves as the superscription for the entire book of Isaiah, introducing the prophet and the scope of his message. The immediate context of chapter 1 is an indictment of Judah's rebellion and a call to repentance.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse serves as the foundational superscription for the entire book of Isaiah, introducing the prophet, the scope of his prophetic message (Judah and Jerusalem), and the historical timeframe of his ministry. It immediately precedes the detailed pronouncements of judgment and calls to repentance found in the rest of chapter 1. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? While this specific verse is an introduction, the broader book of Isaiah, which it introduces, is rich with messianic prophecies that point to Jesus Christ. Isaiah foretells His birth, ministry, suffering, and ultimate reign, establishing Him as the one who would bring true redemption and restore God's people, fulfilling the promises made to Judah and Jerusalem. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This verse emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and geographical context of God's Word. Recognizing that God spoke through specific individuals to particular audiences in real historical settings helps us to accurately interpret and apply His timeless truths to our lives today, understanding that His message is grounded in reality. interpretation
Cited: Isaiah 1:1
Who wrote it, and how we know
Isaiah the prophetNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz and names him throughout. The New Testament quotes both the earlier and later chapters as Isaiah's words. Isaiah 1:1Isaiah 6:1John 12:38John 12:39
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition holds the whole book to be Isaiah's.
What is debatedMany critical scholars propose a second and third author for chapters 40 and following, based on setting and style. John 12 quoting both sections as Isaiah is a significant argument against that view.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers.
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
Connection to the wholeThe narratives connect trust and deliverance with an announcement concerning Babylon, bridging earlier warnings and later words of comfort.
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.