Isaiah

the prophet of Emmanuel

Who was Isaiah?

A prophet in Jerusalem, son of Amoz. He saw the glory of the Lord in the Temple and offered to be sent. Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 6:1, 8
He counseled Kings Ahaz and Hezekiah. To King Ahaz he announced the sign of Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:3, 14; 2 Kings 19:20
Matthew, Luke, and Acts read his words in the light of Jesus. Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 4:17-21; Acts 8:32-35

The name: His name means “the Lord is salvation.” Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Isaias”
Also called: The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz 2 Kings 19:2
Occupation: Prophet 2 Kings 19:2
Feast day: May 9: Saint Isaiah, prophet

What the Bible says

Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 6:1, 8

The vision of Isaias the son of Amos I which he saw concerning Juda and Jerusalem in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda.

Isaiah 7:3, 14; 2 Kings 19:20

³And the Lord said to Isaias: Go forth to meet Achaz, thou and Jasub thy son that is left, to the conduit of the upper pool, a in the way of the fuller’s held. ¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 4:17-21; Acts 8:32-35

²²Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: ²³Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Isaiah

Before Jesus. In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord on a high throne, in the Temple. Isaiah 6:1
Before Jesus. Seraphim were proclaiming that the Lord is holy. Isaiah said he had unclean lips, and a seraph touched his mouth with an ember. Isaiah 6:2-7
Before Jesus. The Lord asked whom he should send, and Isaiah offered himself. Isaiah 6:8
With Jesus. When two kings attacked Jerusalem, Isaiah urged King Ahaz to stay calm and trust. Since Ahaz would not ask for a sign, Isaiah announced to him the sign of Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:1-4, 9-14
With Jesus. Years later, the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem. Isaiah told King Hezekiah that the city would not fall. 2 Kings 19:20, 32-34
With Jesus. When Hezekiah fell ill, Isaiah told him that the Lord had heard his prayer and would give him fifteen more years. 2 Kings 20:1-6
Afterward. His book announces a child, the Prince of Peace, and a shoot from the stump of Jesse. It also speaks of a servant who suffers for the sins of many. Isaiah 9:5-6; Isaiah 11:1-2; Isaiah 53:4-5, 11-12
Afterward. According to Tradition: According to an ancient tradition, he died a martyr in the time of King Manasseh. Roman Martyrology (2004), May 9; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Isaias”

Words of Isaiah

“Lo, here am I, send me.” Isaiah 6:8

When the Lord asked whom he should send.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

To King Ahaz, who would not ask for a sign.

“For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us… and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:5

When he announced the birth of a child king.

“But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

When he spoke of the servant of the Lord who suffers for others.

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me: he hath sent me to preach to the meek, to heal the contrite of heart…” Isaiah 61:1

Words that Jesus read in the synagogue at Nazareth.

What they were like

Ready: he offered himself when God asked whom to send. Isaiah 6:8
Counselor to kings: he urged King Ahaz to stay calm and trust. Isaiah 7:3-4, 9
A man of prayer: he prayed together with King Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 32:20

The greatest thing they did

The Assyrian king did not enter Jerusalem, just as Isaiah had announced. 2 Kings 19:32-36
Through his prayer, the shadow went back ten steps as a sign for Hezekiah. 2 Kings 20:9-11

Not to be confused with

Amos: Isaiah’s father was named Amoz. He is not the prophet Amos, who was a shepherd from Tekoa. Isaiah 1:1; Amos 1:1

In the Church today

Feast day: May 9, Saint Isaiah, prophet (commemoration (not on the General Roman Calendar or the U.S. calendar)). Roman Martyrology (2004)

What people ask

Did Isaiah speak about the Virgin Mary?

He announced to King Ahaz the sign of Emmanuel. Matthew says it was fulfilled in Mary and in Jesus, and this is what the Church teaches. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Catechism 497

Why does Matthew say “virgin”?

The Hebrew word means “young woman.” The Greek translation says “virgin,” and that is how Matthew quotes it. NAB note on Is 7, 14; Matthew 1:23

Who are the seraphim?

Heavenly beings who surround the throne of God. Their name means “the burning ones.” Isaiah 6:2; NAB note on Is 6, 1-3

Why do we say “Holy, Holy, Holy” at Mass?

They are the words of the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision. The NAB note recalls that the Roman liturgy uses them. Isaiah 6:3; NAB note on Is 6, 1-3

How did Isaiah die?

The Bible doesn’t tell. According to an ancient tradition, he died a martyr in the time of King Manasseh. Roman Martyrology (2004)

Little known He had a son named Shear-jashub, which means “a remnant will return.” Isaiah 7:3; NAB note on Is 7, 3 He calls the mother of his second son…

The rest of this page (daily life, failings, little-known facts, for you…) is part of the subscription.

See the map

Who Isaiah is connected to

Hezekiah · the prophet and the king
Jesus · Emmanuel · the suffering servant · the Spirit upon me
John the Baptist · the voice in the desert

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

See Isaiah on the map