Q: In Isa, what verses relate to Jesus?
A: According to Jay P. Green’s Literal Translation p.976, the following verses of Isaiah are quoted or alluded to in the New Testament relating to Jesus.
Isa 6:9,10 Mt 13:14; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10
Isa 9:14,15 Mt 21:44; Lk 20:18
Isa 13:9,10 Mt 24:29; Mk 13:24; Lk 21:25
Isa 22:22 Rev 3:7
Isa 29:13 Mt 14:8,8; Mk 7:6,7
Isa 36:5,6 Mt 11:5; 9:27
Isa 39:8 Mk 13:31
Isa 42:7 Lk 4:18
Isa 53:12 (4th cent.) Lk 22:37
Isa 54:13 (f.c.) Jn 6:45
Isa 56:7 (l.c.) Mt 21:13; Mk 11:17; Lk 19:46
Isa 61:1 Lk 4:18
Isa 66:1 (f.c.) 66:24 Mt 5:34;25; Mk 9:44,46,48
Of course there are additional passages that refer to the Messiah that were not mentioned in the New Testament.
Among the Dead Sea scrolls, the Great Isaiah Scroll is very interesting in that it has eleven places where there is what appears to be a sideways Tau (or Chi) Greek letter next to passages that are Messianic. It might be because Chi was the first letter of the Greek word for Christ. This does not prove Christian influence though, because "Christ" was recognized by Jews before Jesus' time as the Greek translation of Messiah or anointed one. These eleven passages are Isaiah 32:1ff; 42:1ff; 42:5ff; 42:19ff; 44:28; 49:5-7; 55:3-4; 56:1-2; 56:3ff; 58:13ff; 66:5ff. See The Archaeology of the New Testament p.346-348 for a more info.

Q: In Isa, are the visions and oracles in Isaiah arranged chronologically?
A: While it is possible that they are, there is no need to think so. Either Isaiah near the end of his life or some one else probably arranged these topically. See also the next question.

Q: In Isa, what is an outline of this book?
A: Here is a simple, high-level outline of the arrangement of Isaiah.
1-5 God’s Charges against and Plans for Judah
6 Isaiah’s Commission
7-12 Immanuel - God with Us
13-23 God’s Judgment on the Nations
24-27 Little Apocalypse (God judges the world)
28-33 Woe to God’s Disobedient People
34-35 God’s future plans for the world
36-39 Sennacherib and Hezekiah
40-44 God’s Comfort and Character
45-48 Cyrus and Babylon, and Leaving Babylon
49-55 God’s Deliverer and Israel’s Deliverance
56-59 Man’s Responsibility and Failure
60-66 God’s Sure Future Promises

Q: In Isa 1:1, did Isaiah have just one vision from God, or multiple visions?
A: Isaiah saw multiple visions. Here are the beginnings of some of the visions and (verbal only) oracles. Chapters 1, 2, 6, 7, 13, 15, 19, 21, 22, 23, 37:21, 38:4, 39:5.

Q: In Isa 1:1, when did Isaiah live?
A: Isaiah chapter 6, early in Isaiah’s career, was In the year that Uzziah died, 739 B.C. Hezekiah succeeded Uzziah as king, followed by Manasseh in 687 B.C. Since Isaiah mentions Sennacherib’s death, Isaiah probably lived during this event, which was 681 B.C. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.546 also says it is possible that Isaiah lived into the reign of Manasseh.
The Jewish pseudepigraphal book Ascension of Isaiah says that Isaiah was killed by being sawn in two during the reign of Manasseh. Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.547 calls this "The Martyrdom of Isaiah" and says it was written about 100 A.D. Hebrews 11:37 says that some Old Testament believers were sawn in two, and Asimov says this might be a reference to Isaiah.
See The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.4 for more info.

Q: In Isa 1:1, who was Isaiah's father Amoz?
A: We do not know anything about him. Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.527 mentions a rabbinic tradition that Amoz was a brother of king Amaziah, so Isaiah would be of royal blood. However, The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.4 says this is a Jewish tradition that Amoz was of royal blood cannot be substantiated.

Q: In Isa 1:1, how much of the Old Testament was written in Isaiah’s time?
A: Probably Genesis through 2 Samuel, most likely Job, and Psalms.

Q: In Isa 1:1, what is the significance of mentioning the kings?
A: This shows us that Isaiah lived during some times that were very heart-breaking for godly people. Most of the kings of Judah were evil. One of the few good kings mentioned, Uzziah, had the pride to perform the Day of Atonement ceremony himself, when only the high priest should do it. As a result, God cursed him with leprosy until he died. Regardless of the circumstances, Isaiah could still faithfully serve God, and so should we.

Q: In Isa 1:2, since God’s children rebelled, and God is a good father, can Christians be good parents if their children go wrong?
A: Yes. Parents have great responsibility and influence over their children. However, ultimately it is the child, not the parent, who chooses whether or not the child will follow God.

Q: In Isa 1:3, why did Israel not know God, since nothing happens except what God allows?
A: God allows us a degree of freedom, and God allows things that make Him sad.

Q: In Isa 1:5, under what circumstances does discipline not work?
A: Two parts to consider in the answer.
1. Wrongly applied: Discipline does not work if:
1a. It is too mild to be a deterrent
1b. The one being disciplined does not comprehend why the discipline occurs at all.
1c. Discipline that is inconsistent or whose severity depends on the parent’s mood, can be perceived as capricious and incomprehensible for the degree of punishment.
1d. Finally, discipline that is too harsh in proportion to what was done may still work, but there can be other, undesirable effects from the discipline.
2. Rightly applied: Even discipline that is perfectly applied in a perfectly consistent manner is not guaranteed to produce the desired effect. It is up to the person being disciplined to submit and not harden their heart. Discipline is an external action. It cannot change the heart, it can only provide incentive for the person to change.

Q: In Isa 1:8, what does it mean that the daughter of Zion is left as "a lodge in a garden of melons"?
A: This humble, solitary dwelling is a sharp contract to Isaiah 5:8, where house upon house is joined together, as if in a huge mansion. The prosperous Judean landowners will be reduced to poor, subsistence farmers by the time Assyria and Babylonia get through with them.

Q: In Isa 1:8, should the word be "melons" (NIV) or "cucumbers" as the KJV?
A: A cucumber is a type of melon, and there is some uncertainty in which vegetables would be included in this Hebrew word.

Q: How does Isa 1:9 relate to Rom 9:29?
A: Romans 9:29 quotes Isaiah 1:9 to show that in both a spiritual as well as a physical sense, people of Jewish descent who believe in God are a remnant that is a very small percentage of the Israelites before the Exile.

Q: In Isa 1:11-17 and Jer 6:20, why is God criticizing sacrifices, assemblies, and even prayer, since God commanded these in the Torah?
A: Isaiah 1:14 does not say they were always a burden to God, but rather "they have become a burden". Insincere sacrifices are wearisome to God. See Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.272-273, Bible Difficulties and Seeming Contradictions p.214-215, and Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible p.233,235 for more info.

Q: In Isa 1:18, how should we take time to reason with God?
A: We do not need to inform or teach God anything, but reasoning with God is helpful for God to teach us. We should not run from great concepts and difficult questions, but rather patiently take them before the Lord. Part of the benefit is that God will guide you to the answers, and a second benefit is the training of your mind in the reasoning on the things of God. Perhaps the most important "benefit" though, is simply the privilege of spending this time with God.

Q: In Isa 1:18, does this suggest forgiveness of sin apart from Christ?
A: No. This does not specify the exact way God will forgive their sin, only that God will do it. See also the next question.

Q: In Isa 1:18, how could God forgive sin, since Christ had not come yet?
A: God teaches that sin is only forgiven through Christ, according to the New Testament, but a God who is outside of time can forgive sin (through Christ) whenever He wants. God is not restricted. For people living before Christ, Hebrews 9 and 10:1-4 show that their sins were "covered over" until Christ’s death, and they are forgiven in Christ. Isaiah 1:8 and other passages simply say "atoned" and "forgiven" instead of "covered over for now and forgiven later" for two reasons that we can see.
1. In the Old Testament, God only gives hints in Isaiah 53 and other places, not clear teaching, as to how He would accomplish this forgiveness. That their sins were forgiven was all with which they had to be concerned.
2. God has different perceptions of time than we do. We often view things that have not happened yet as future possibilities. God can view them as certainties that have "already happened", just at a later point in the tremendous three-dimensional videotape we call "life on earth."

Q: In Isa 1:21, why do some places have so many unrighteous people and murderers?
A: While we do not know about Jerusalem, in general, we can see at least five reasons why a city might have many wicked people.
1. There is no godly instruction.
2. There are no godly political and religious leaders for the people to respect, who can set an example.
3. No justice, or inconsistent justice in punishing wrongdoers.
4. Believers are not praying for their people (1 Samuel 12:23)
5. Godly people themselves are not turned from their own wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Q: In Isa 1:23 (KJV), why is it wrong that everyone loves gifts and follows after rewards?
A: While we are not to love material things, that is not the point of this verse. They were seeking dishonest gain. The NIV says "they all love bribes and chase after gifts."

Q: In Isa 2:4, in the last days why will God need to settle disputes between peoples?
A: He will not settle them at that time, because He will have already settled them. After the Messiah begins His reign on earth, he will not need to settle any disputes, disagreements, or wars. The only exception is at the end of the Millennium when Satan deceives the nations in Revelation 20:7-10.

Q: In Isa 2:4 what kind of plows did they have back then?
A: They did not have plowshares like later farmers. Rather, since iron was not as abundant they used an iron point on a wood beam. See The NIV Study Bible p.1020 for more info.

Q: In Isa 3:2,5,14 (KJV), what is an ancient?
A: This means a man who is an elder.

Q: In Isa 3:3 (KJV), what is an artificer?
A: Jay P. Green's literal translation, the NIV, and the NKJV translate this as "clever / expert enchanter". Generalizing, one could think of this as any kind of deceiver.

Q: In Isa 3:4, why will children and babes be their rulers?
A: In peaceful, independent times, a king reigned to an old age. Consequently his son only became king when he was somewhat older. In contrast to this 2 Chronicles 36:1-11 says that
Jehoiahaz was 23 and reigned only 3 months
Jehoiakim was 25 and reigned 11 years
Jehoiachin was 8 (copyist error, really 18) and reigned 3 months and ten days
Zedekiah was 21 and reigned 11 years
They were all young because their predecessor was removed from power so soon.

Q: In Isa 3:7, why would some one decline to be their ruler?
A: Scripture does not say, but we can see three reasons.
No benefit: Few people would want the responsibility of being a ruler, when there was absolutely no benefit to doing so.
Guilt: When a nation goes astray, perhaps the leaders would have more guilt in acquiescing, than if they were not leaders.
Bad consequences: The next invading army, be it Assyrian, Egyptian, or Babylonian, might decide to kill the previous rulers and their families.

Q: In Isa 3:12, was it a rebuke that women would rule over them?
A: When there are stable dynasties of kings, and in times of peace kings live to an old age, and the next king usually is fairly mature. When kings are frequently captured or killed, a symptom of this instability is that women and youths often rule.

Q: In Isa 3:15 (KJV), how can some one "grind the faces of the poor"?
A: This graphic expression was very apt. People ground wheat plants to separate the wheat from the chaff. The rich could grind the poor to separate them from what little money they had.

Q: In Isa 3:16, what are "mincing steps"?
A: This means they had an artificial manner, with short steps or affected preciseness. They would do this out of pride.

Q: In Isa 3:16,18, how did the women "make a tinkling with their feet?
A: The answer is found in Isaiah 3:18. The women had ankle chains, which had ornaments on them.

Q: In Isa 3:17 (KJV), what does "smite with a scab the crown of the head men" mean?
A: The NIV translates this as sores on the head of the women of Zion.

Q: In Isa 3:18 (KJV), what are "tires like the moon"?
A: This King James Version expression means crescent ornaments/necklaces, according to the NASB and NIV.

Q: In Isa 3:19 (KJV), what are "mufflers"?
A: This is an old-fashioned word for "veil".

Q: In Isa 3:22,24 (KJV), what are wimples, crisping pins, and a stomacher?
A: During the time the King James Version was translated, the English language was richer than today in words describing women’s apparel. The NIV mentions capes, cloaks, sashes, and fine clothing.

Q: In Isa 4:1, when will seven women ask one man to marry them?
A: This will be in the end times, just prior to the Messiah's return in Isaiah 4:2-6.

Q: In Isa 4:1, is it disgraceful to be unmarried?
A: Scripture affirms that singleness is fine and never says it is disgraceful to be unmarried. (Isaiah 54:1-5; Matthew 19:11-12; 1 Corinthians 7:25-38). However, some women at this particular future time, for reasons unspecified, would view marriage as a means for taking away their disgrace. Their disgrace might not have been singleness, but the activities they engaged in while they were unmarried.

Q: In Isa 4:2; 11:1-4 is the branch Jesus?
A: Yes. The Branch will be involved in the people becoming holy, God washing away their filth. Also, the word for Branch (nasr) is very similar to the word "Nazarene" and Jesus grew up in Nazareth. See 735 Bible Questions Answered p.165-166 for more info.

Q: In Isa 4:3, when will all in Jerusalem be Holy?
A: This will be in the future, during the Millennium.

Q: In Isa 4:6 and Isa 32:2 (KJV), what is a "covert"?
A: A covert is a shelter from the weather.

Q: In Isa 5:1-12, what is the point of the parable about the owner and the vineyard?
A: Isaiah's song is an allegory of God, a vineyard owner. God, who prepared a fine vineyard, the house of Israel and Judah. Yet there was no fruit from the vineyard for the vineyard owner. God was prophesying that as a useless vineyard is not kept up anymore but destroyed, Israel and Judah will be destroyed.

Q: In Isa 5:7, what are the plays on words (puns) here?
A: The words "justice" and "bloodshed" are mishpat and mispah in Hebrew. Righteousness and distress are sedaqah and se'aqah in Hebrew. The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.48 says some have tried to translate both the meaning and the play on words. G.H. Box in The Book of Isaiah translated this as "For measures He looked - but lo massacres! For right - and lo riot!"
See The NIV Study Bible p.1023, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1042

Q: In Isa 5:8, what was wrong with joining house to house, somewhat like apartments or a large mansion?
A: Scripture does not say, but it could be for two reasons.
1. Wealthy landowners, who had a monopoly on the jobs, could oppress workers, as James 5:1-6 shows.
2. Even without that, God is not pleased with His people having prosperity without any gratitude to Him.

Q: In Isa 5:12, is this negative mention of instruments at drinking feasts a criticism of all use of mechanical instruments of music?
A: No. All Christians can agree on two points.
1. Some use of music, in other religions, and in secular rock and rap music with vulgar, violent, or suggestive lyrics, is ungodly. Christians should especially not try to hear ungodly music.
2. All, even Church of Christ people, are not against some use of mechanical instruments outside of church.
Let us hope that no misguided Church of Christ parent ever says, "you can listen to whatever secular music you want, even with questionable lyrics, but I better not catch you listening to music that glorifies God!" If Church of Christ leaders will not allow mechanical instruments in church, but they can use mechanical instruments to praise God outside of church, why not stop going to church? Instead, just meet together and praise God freely, and if the time you meet together happens to be Sunday morning, that is OK.
The last half of Isaiah 5:12, shows that it was not so much the instruments, as that they had no regard for the deeds of the Lord. David and others used worshipped God with musical instruments in many places in the book of Psalms. Even the saints use lyres in Heaven.

Q: In Isa 5:14, how does Hell enlarge itself?
A: This poetic expression means that its population would increase.

Q: In Isa 5:15 (KJV), what is the "mean man"?
A: This King James Version expression does not mean "unkind man", but rather a man of low position.

Q: In Isa 5:16, does sending people to Hell exalt God?
A: -Actually, yes. While admittedly it does not show the loving, kind side of God, it shows both the just side of God as a judge, and the wrath of God. As Norman Geisler once said, "Hell is the most glorious of all Christian doctrines, because it proves that man is truly free." In other words, man was given enough responsibility and freedom, that God would permit Him to even do things deserving of Hell.
There is a point here about exalting God that should not be overlooked. Exalting God does not mean whitewashing God and showing only the truth of His kindness and love. Exalting God means showing the complete picture, of both the kindness and sternness of God (Romans 11:22).

Q: In Isa 5:18-19, what is this saying?
A: Woe are those who say they want God to come soon, yet do unrighteous things. In other words, they should be careful for what they ask.

Q: In Isa 5:21, what exactly is wrong with being wise in your own eyes?
A: If there were no other reason that God did not like it, that alone would be reason enough. However, there are plenty of additional reasons. Imagine encountering a student in a grade school who thought he knew everything and was proud of it. A school student's knowledge is closer to that of an adult, than our knowledge is of God's knowledge.
Proverbs 30:3-4 also shows that when people think they have plenty, there is a tendency to say to God "what need do I have of You".

Q: In Isa 5:22-23, what is meant by this metaphor of "heroes at mixing drinks"?
A: They were experts at mixing alcoholic drinks, they were proud of their expertise, and others admired their ability. Take heed of what you are proud of, and for what others admire you.

Q: In Isa 5:23, how do people justify the wicked for a bribe?
A: One would think that mafia lawyers and some criminal defense attorneys have a verse in the Bible especially written for them. In court cases, purchasing decisions, mergers, politics, and other situations, people can let the guilty party go free, let them off easy, and transfer the blame to another party, or fix the blame on one party when it was shared.

Q: In Isa 5:24, how can people despise the word of God?
A: They can do it in a variety of ways.
Ignore: Some simply disregard what the Bible says. To their credit, at least they are honest about not following the Bible.
Mock what the Bible says, as a person defiantly does things their own way.
Redefine the words. That way a person can claim to follow the Bible, but the parts they do not want to believe they can say is just figurative or cultural. This can sound convincing, because some passages in the Bible are figurative, or only for a time. A way to tell if someone is honestly trying to interpret the Bible properly is if they are trying to understand what the original writer intended.
Reduce: Some Christian liberals claim the Bible is not the word of God, but has the word of God inside it. What they mean by this is that if you agree with a part of the Bible, that part becomes the word of God for you. If you disagree with a part, then you do not have to follow it.
Supplement: Some, especially Catholics, and some cults, say the Bible is good but not sufficient. They think it is required to have additional books and teaching.
Substitute: Some who claim to supplement or add to what is in the Bible are in fact substituting their tradition for what God taught. Jesus gave an example of the Pharisees doing this with their tradition of Corban in Mark 7:9-13.

Q: In Isa 5:26 (KJV), what is an ensign?
A: This word means banner or flag.

Q: In Isa 5:27-28, does this army refer to the Babylonians, or an army in Revelation?
A: This primarily refers to the Babylonian army at that time.

Q: In Isa 5:29 (KJV), how can one carry the prey away safe?
A: This does not mean the prey was safe. This means that the prey, which had already been killed, was safe from being taken by other predators.

Q: In Isa 6:1, was Isaiah physically present, or was he seeing a vision?
A: While Isaiah could have been physically removed to a different place, these verses do not say this. They simply speak of what Isaiah saw, so he most likely saw a vision. The NIV Study Bible p.1025 says this probably was a vision.

Q: In Isa 6:1, by the time of the prophets, was lightning personified as seraphim, and the storm blast as cherubim as the skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.530 claims?
A: No, there is no evidence of this claim. If a scientist at a conference asserted a scientific fact with as little evidence as Asimov has for some of his Bible interpretations, he would be laughed out of the meeting.

Q: In Isa 6:2, are seraphim here the same as cherubim in Ezek 1:5-25; 9:3; 10:1-22; 41:18 and the four living creatures in Rev 4:6-9?
A: Christians have two views.
No. The Bible would have used only one word if they were the same. The Bible uses two words, so we should, too. This is the view of Scofield and 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.338.
Yes. These are such unusual beings, and nothing in either description is incompatible with other descriptions. Also, the cherubim in Ezekiel 41:18 appeared with a human face and a face of a young lion.

Q: In Isa 6:3, where else is this Hebrew word saraph used?
A: The angelic beings called seraphim are not mentioned by this name anywhere else in the Old Testament. However, some think the cherubim might be the same, as the previous questions discusses. In addition, as Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.529 correctly points out, the Hebrew word means "fiery" and it is used as an adjective in "fiery serpents" in Numbers 21:6,8. It is also used in Isaiah 14:29; 30:6.

Q: In Isa 6:3, why were the seraphim saying this?
A: While scripture does not say, we can make three observations.
1. Of all the things they could have been saying, in Isaiah 6:3 this apparently is the most important.
2. This is similar to what the four living creatures (perhaps seraphim) say in revelation 4:9). The difference is "the whole earth is full of His glory" vs. "who was and is and is to come"
3. In both cases, holy is mentioned three times, which may be an indication of the Trinity.

Q: In Isa 6:4, is this the only thing the seraphim say?
A: Scripture does not say this is all they speak. However, there is certainly nothing improper about repeating this great truth.

Q: In Isa 6:7, how can a coal take away iniquity?
A: The coal did not take away iniquity, God did. This was a vision, and the coal symbolized the even of God taking away Isaiah's iniquity. Some see this as taking away Isaiah's uncleanness in general. Others speculate that Isaiah might have had a sinful tendency to have a foul mouth, and God just took that away.

Q: In Isa 6:7, was Isaiah sinlessly perfect after the coal was placed on his mouth?
A: No, while scripture is silent about Isaiah’s sins, neither this nor any other passage implies Isaiah was sinless. This merely says that Isaiah was cleansed from what he saw made him unfit for service.

Q: In Isa 6:8, why does the All-Knowing God ask questions?
A: He asks questions to give us an opportunity to respond to Him. A few hundred years later Socrates popularized asking questions in what was later known as the Socratic method of teaching.

Q: In Isa 6:9-10, why does God want the people to hear, yet not understand?
A: Four points to understand in the answer.
1. God does not want anyone to perish (Ezekiel 18:23,32; 2 Peter 3:9)
2. Even so, Isaiah 6:10 and Luke 1:51-53 show that God did not want them to understand. Jesus Himself reminded people of Isaiah’s word in Matthew 13:14-16. Why? Scripture gives two reasons.
3. To shame their pride (1 Corinthians 1:26-30). Those who never too proud to acknowledge their need for God, or who tried to reach heaven, not by God’s mercy, but by their own wisdom, God would frustrate them. Perhaps if they saw just how short their understanding was, they would turn to God.
4. God’s mercy to them: For those who refuse to trust in God, 2 Peter 2:21-22; Romans 4:15; 5:13 show that sins done in "innocent" ignorance are not counted against them. (Note that Romans 1:18-22 shows people can suppress the truth, that is, have a guilty ignorance.)

Q: In Isa 6:10 (KJV), what does it mean that the people’s hearts are fat?
A: This negative description means their hearts were heavy and immovable.

Q: In Isa 6:11, what exactly is Isaiah saying here?
A: The people will be insensitive until after this devastating punishment occurs. As a side note, there is one key difference between the Israelites (Before the exile) and the Jews (after the exile). The Israelites frequently turned away into idolatry, and the Jews never did. Isaiah 5:13 says that God’s people would go into exile because of their lack of knowledge.

Q: In Isa 6:12-13, what is the meaning of God’s answer to Isaiah?
A: Isaiah was to prophecy until his death or the judgment came. However, there would be a remnant of the people left after the judgment.

Q: In Isa 6:13, what is a terebinth tree?
A: According to the New Bible Dictionary (1978 p.1294), the terebinth tree is a spreading tree less than 25 feet high. Its scientific name is Pistacia terebinthus of the variety palaestina.

Q: In Isa 6:13, how were the Israelites and Jews like an oak tree and its acorns?
A: An oak tree can be cut down, but its stump can send out new growth. The acorns starting another oak tree can live even though the parent plant dies.

Q: In Isa 6:13, how many kinds of oak trees are in Palestine?
A: According to the New Bible Dictionary (1978 p.1293-1294) there are about 24 species of the oak genus, called Quercus in Palestine. Some of the species are ilex, coccifea (kermes oak), palaestina, sessiliflora, lusitanica, aegilops, and cerris.

Q: In Isa 7:1, when did this siege of Jerusalem occur?
A: In the short-term, God delivered Jerusalem from the Assyrians. Permanently, God delivered His people through the Messiah's atoning death on the cross.

Q: In Isa 7:2, who is Ephraim?
A: The name of this son of Jacob was a synonym for the largest northern tribe. Mentioning the largest northern tribe was a synonym for the entire northern Kingdom.

Q: In Isa 7:3, who was Shear-Jashub?
A: This was Isaiah's son. The meaning of his name is "a remnant will return".

Q: In Isa 7:5,9, what is the significance of not referring to King Pekah by name (except in Isa 7:1), but only referring to him as Remaliah’s son?
A: This might be a means of scorn for two reasons. Pekah was not the rightful king of Israel. Pekah assassinated Pekahiah and became king (2 Kings 15:23-30). In 2 Chronicles 28:6, Pekah killed 120,000 people of Judah. Pekah reigned twenty years, and he in turn was assassinated by Hoshea in 2 Kings 15:30.

Q: In Isa 7:8-9, what is the literary structure here?
A: This has the following structure:
A1: The head of Aram is Damascus
- B2: And the head of Damascus is Rezin
-- C1 and within … will be shattered, no longer a people
A2. And the hear of Ephraim is Samaria
- B2: And the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son
-- C2: If you do not stand by faith, indeed you will not stand at all.
Besides being well-written poetry, a style like this would show us that an individual lines were not added or deleted.
See The Prophecy of Isaiah by J. Alec Motyer p.82 for more info.

Q: In Isa 7:10-11, why was Ahaz told to ask for a sign here?
A: God invited Ahaz to ask for a sign or miracle from God. Ahaz chose not to do so, and so Ahaz was not given an impressive sign for him to see. Instead, God provided a double fulfillment of this prophecy. The word "woman" here can be translated as "young maiden" or as "virgin". Isaiah’s wife had a child that provided immediate fulfillment of this prophecy. Nothing seems particularly miraculous about this birth, though. Centuries later, Jesus would be born of a virgin.
It can be proved that interpreting this word as virgin is not a "Christian invention", as the Greek Septuagint translation, written centuries before Christ, translated this word as parthenos, or virgin. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.532 fails to point this out, incorrectly saying instead that the Christian's view rests on the word translated in the King James Version. (Later, on p.781 Asimov does say that making this word as "virgin" goes back to Matthew.)

Q: In Isa 7:10-12, did Ahaz believe in God, or not?
A: Ahaz believed in God intellectually. However, at this point, he was not trusting God to deliver him. In Jesus' parable of the four soils, Christ mentioned those who would believe, but would fall away during trouble or persecution.

Q: In Isa 7:12, why did Ahaz not want to ask?
A: On the surface, it appears that Ahaz did not want to sin by testing God. However, Ahaz was not following God, when God through Isaiah instructed him to ask.
Ahaz knew his own heart. Perhaps he did not have the faith to trust that God would work in this situation, and he was uncomfortable being in a situation where faith was needed.
If we are in a similar situation, remember that it is God who does the working, not us.

Q: In Isa 7:13, how was Ahaz wearying God, and how can people weary God today?
A: Not only was Ahaz wearying God, but the House of David, that is, the kings of Judah, had been wearying God. They had the pretense of following God, but they did not obey Him in their hearts.
Today God can be weary of people honoring God with their lips, but having their heart far from God (Matthew 15:8-9; Isaiah 29:13).

Q: In Isa 7:14 and Isa 8:8, does "Immanuel/Emmanuel", meaning "God with us" refer to Jesus Christ?
A: Yes, according to Matthew 1:23. By the way, while el was a common component of a name, Emmanuel is unknown in the Bible as a name or title until its use here. Tertullian in Against Marcion book 3 ch.12 (207 A.D.) also discusses this.
As a historical note, one early Christian to use these passages in apologetics was Irenaeus in Against Heresies p.452 (written about 182-188 A.D.). Origen (225-254 A.D.) also mentioned this as messianic in Origen Against Celsus book 1 ch.36 p.411.

Q: In Isa 7:14, since the Messiah will be called Immanuel, why was He called Jesus in Luke 1:31?
A: A Chinese Christian was very puzzled by this, and here is the answer he was given.
When you were born, what name were you given? It was your Chinese name, right? Now in America, what name do you co-workers call you? It is your English name, right? In a similar way, the proper "birth-name" of the Messiah is "Jesus". However, Jesus is God, and is called "Immanuel", God with us.
See Now That’s A Good Question p.39-40 for a totally different way of explaining this, but essentially the same conclusion. The only difference is that R.C. Sproul explains this a little more precisely, distinguishing between the "proper name" of Jesus, and one of "titles" of Jesus being Immanuel.

Q: Does Isa 7:14-16 refer to the king of Assyria, or to Jesus?
A: This is an example of a prophecy with a dual fulfillment. First of all, the Hebrew word for "you" here is plural. This prophecy likely does refer to some one at that time, probably Isaiah’s (naturally-conceived) son, as well as the virgin birth of Jesus. The word "virgin" here is interesting. There are two Hebrew words for Virgin. One Hebrew word (betulah) means only never had sex with a man, but that is not the word used here. The word which was used (almah) has two meanings: never had sex with a man and also a young maiden in general. As proof that the second word was understood as "virgin" also, the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint used the word "parthenos", which only means virgin. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.267-268 also points out that of the seven uses of the Hebrew word almah in the Bible, every single time it refers to a young maiden who never had sex.
Historically, Tertullian’s Five Books Against Marcion book 3 chapter 13 (207 A.D.) answered this objection. He says, "They are, however, refuted by this consideration, that nothing of the nature of a sign can possibly come out of what is a daily occurrence, the pregnancy and child-bearing of a young woman. A virgin mother is justly deemed to be proposed by God as a sign…"
See Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.267-268 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.166-167, and When Critics Ask p.267 for more info.

Q: In Isa 7:14-16, since the Hebrew words ha almah could mean "the young maiden" as well as "the virgin", why does Matt 1:23 say Isaiah 7:14-16 speaks of a virgin having a son? Was that not fulfilled in Isaiah’s time?
A: Many prophecies have a dual fulfillment. In particular Isaiah 7:14-16 uses a Hebrew word "'almah" that can be translated "young maiden" or "virgin"; it is the same word used of the child Miriam in Exodus 2:8. There was another Hebrew word for "virgin", betulah (like the Akkadian word batultu), but that was not used here. The prophecy was given in 735 B.C., Syria was destroyed in 732 B.C., and 12 or 13 years later the prophecy was fulfilled with the Assyrians destroying and deporting Israel.
One reason betulah might not have been used is because in ancient usage it did not always mean virgin either. For example, betulah means a woman who is married in Joel 1:8, Jeremiah 25 multiple times.
This prophecy also referred to a virgin birth. As proof that it was understood that way, the Septuagint, translated over a hundred years prior to Christ’s coming translated the word "parthenos" which can only mean virgin. Therefore, while the Septuagint translation could not translate both meanings, it proves that the Jewish translators fully accepted the "virgin" meaning.
Also, Hard Sayings of the Bible p.300-302 has three telling points
a) "you" is plural. This means the sign is for the entire house of David, not just Ahaz.
b) The word 'almah can refer to either a young maiden or a virgin, but there is not a single instance where it means a married woman.
c) The definite article before 'almah (ha'almah) should make this be translated as "the virgin/young maiden".
See The Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.266-268 and 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.166 for more info.

Q: In Isa 7:14-16, could the immediate fulfillment of this prophecy be the birth of Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz?
A: No, because Hezekiah would be about ten years old at the time of the prophecy. See Hard Sayings of the Bible p.301 for more info. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.533 says Hezekiah would be an adult at this time.

Q: In Isa 7:14, who was the woman in travail at this time?
A: This prophecy has a dual fulfillment. The ultimate fulfillment is Mary the mother of Jesus. The NIV Study Bible p.1027, The New Geneva Study Bible p.1035, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1047-1048, and The Nelson Study Bible p.1124 all say mention this dual fulfillment.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1048 says this could not be Isaiah’s wife, because Isaiah’s wife already had a child (Shear-Jashub) and so was not a virgin, and Isaiah’s child was not named Immanuel. The NIV Study Bible p.1027 counters that this may refer to the woman betrothed as Isaiah's second wife, because his first wife presumably died shortly after Shear-Jashub was born.
On one hand, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary volume 6 p.64 suggests the immediate fulfillment is not mothers in general, nor Hezekiah (ten years old by then), but a royal contemporary of Isaiah. It says it is unlikely that Isaiah’s wife would be called the prophetess in Isaiah 8:3, and yet be so anonymous here. Against this though, it would have to be vague with Isaiah’s wife/Mary, young maiden/virgin, to have a dual fulfillment.
Conclusion: Today we cannot tell who the woman was for the immediate fulfillment, except that the son was not Hezekiah. However, the ultimate fulfillment was with Mary and Jesus, as Matthew 1:23 says.

Q: In Isa 7:15, does this support the concept of an age of accountability?
A: It supports it, but does not prove it. There is an age, which can be different for different children, when they know good from evil. Romans 4:15 shows that sin still occurs, but it is not counted as transgression when the person was not able to know it was wrong.
Many Christians think babies and young children who die, since they have not committed any intentional sins, will go to heaven through Jesus. Jesus is still needed as their Savior to cleans their nature and forgive their unintentional sins.
An alternate view is that immediately after death, people who die without the knowledge to be able to accept or reject Jesus will be given an opportunity to make the same decision they would have made if they were alive. Support (but not proof) for this is found in 2 Peter 3:19-20 and 2 Peter 4:5-6.
A third view is that since both the just and unjust will be resurrected during the Millennium, those who had no opportunity before will have an opportunity then. You can read about the Millennium in Revelation in 20:2-11.

Q: In Isa 7:20, what is the significance of God shaving with a razor?
A: There are to "points" to "face".
A razor gives a close shave, and they would have a close call with the Assyrian knife right next to their skin.
In that culture, it was an insult to shave a man's beard against his will, as 2 Samuel 10:4 indicates. The nation would be humiliated by the Assyrians.

Q: In Isa 7:21-25, what exactly is being prophesied here?
A: This refers to a gradual climate change in Israel. Israel today, without irrigation, would be more arid than it was in the times before Christ.

Q: In Isa 8:1 should this word be translated as "scroll" or "tablet"?
The Hebrew word here, gillayon, simply means a large flat writing surface, so it could be translated either way. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.6 p.67 for more info.

Q: In Isa 8:3, who is the prophetess? Did she prophecy too?
A: This is Isaiah’s wife. While she might have prophesied, it is likely that she was called "the prophetess" simply because she was the prophet’s wife.

Q: In Isa 8:6, what are the waters of Shiloah?
A: This was the secret, gently-flowing underground spring that was Jerusalem’s water supply. It was also called Siloam. This life-giving stream was contrasted with the fierce flood of the Euphrates River. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.6 p.67; the New International Bible Commentary p.728, and the Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1051 for more info.

Q: In Isa 8:8, does the word "Immanuel" relate to Jesus?
A: Immanuel here means "God be with us", and the context is one of desperation, as in "God help us." While this verse does not tell us anything specific about Jesus, this repetition of the word of the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 teaches us how we can rely on the promises of God. The strong waters of the Euphrates refer to the nation of Assyria, and possibly the Babylonians, that would almost drown Judah, "up to its neck".
Yet, as The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1051 says, "the word Immanuel assured the hearers that God had not forgotten His covenant people and would be with them."
In fact, the word "Immanuel" is the pivotal word in Isaiah 8:1-10. Reading Isaiah 8:1-8a, and stopping in the middle of verse 8, one could get the impression that this "flood" of the army will be so severe that Judah will be finished forever. Yet, God’s promise of Immanuel, would be fulfilled, thus guaranteeing that Judah would survive. Isaiah 8:8b-10 are a vivid contrast to the preceding verses. Those invading nations would be shattered. Curiously, it contains no promise about Judah triumphing, only the shattering of God’s enemies, and to reiterate who is doing the shattering, Isaiah 10:10b says, "for God is with us."

Q: In Isa 8:12 (KJV), what does "confederacy" mean in these passages?
A: There was a conspiracy. Today, there are also people who see a conspiracy behind everything.

Q: In Isa 8:14 (KJV), what is a gin?
A: This is an archaic word for a trap.

Q: In Isa 8:14, how is God a sanctuary?
A: While a sanctuary is a holy place, that is not the primary point here. Rather, God is a refuge, such that when one seeks refuge in God as his or her sanctuary, God will shelter them.

Q: In Isa 8:18, when was this prophecy fulfilled?
A: This prophecy had both a direct fulfillment within Isaiah's lifetime, when Assyria conquered Damascus and Samaria.

Q: In Isa 8:19-20, what exactly is wrong with asking for advice from fortune-tellers and spiritists?
A: God said never to do so. We can see at least two reasons why God would say so.
1. Lack of trust in God’s providence and guidance. We can trust God to tell us everything we need to know, though it might not always be everything we want to know.
2. Trusting in fortune telling or spirits is not trusting our lives to God. Trusting in mediums and spirits also open us up to the demonic world of the occult.
Jeremiah 2:13, in the context of idolatry, says, "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." (NIV).

Q: In Isa 8:19-20, does this relate to Mormonism?
A: This relates to all who seek advice from the occult and the dead, not just Mormonism. However, it relates to Mormons in at least three ways.
Glass-looking was an occultic practice in the nineteenth century, when a person would claim to be able to find buried treasure by looking in a glass. This was so common, that in New York there was an ordinance against this. Joseph Smith, Jr. in the small village of Palmyra, New York, was convicted of the misdemeanor of glass-looking. Court records have been found which confirm this.
Peep stone. Joseph Smith went on from glass-looking to claiming to translate the Book of Mormon by looking at a stone in a hat.
The Mormon Book of Abraham was claimed to be translated the same way, from some ancient Egyptian papyrii. We have these papyrii today, and needless to say, Joseph's translation was a fraud. Joseph even wrote an Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar, where he apparently tried to teach others his version of "reformed Egyptian".

Q: Do Isa 9:1 and Isa 9:2 belong together, or was Mt 4:14-16 incorrect to put these together?
A: They belong together because Isaiah 9:1 is a transition with both sections.
The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.816 says Isaiah 9:1 belongs with the earlier section and is actually called Isaiah 8:23 in modern Jewish Bibles and the New Jerusalem Bible. Admittedly Isaiah 8:22 and 9:1 do relate, because Isaiah 8:22 speaks of people in darkness and Isaiah 9:1 speaks of no more darkness.
However, Isaiah 8:22 speaks of people who will be driven away into darkness, Isaiah 9:1 says there will be no more darkness for Zebulun and Naphtali, and Isaiah 9:2-7 says how the people who were in darkness will see a great light.
It is interesting that Asimov is trying to say that those who were in gloom will have it lifted in Isaiah 9:1 does not relate to those who were in darkness and have seen a great light in the very next verse. The Bible is great literature, but apparently having a section transition smoothly to another section is disconcerting for some skeptics.

Q: In Isa 9:1-2, how was it fulfilled that the Galilee of the Gentiles would be honored?
A: Jesus spent a great deal of time in this land, which was east of the Sea of Galilee. This was explicitly fulfilled according to Matthew 4:15-16.

Q: Could Isa 9:1,6,7 refer to the Baha’u’llah of the Baha’is, since Jesus did not have the government on His shoulders (Baha’u’llah and the New Era p.261-262)?
A: No, the government will be on Jesus’ shoulders when Jesus comes again. This cannot refer to the Baha’u’llah because:
a) The Baha’u’llah was not called Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)
b) The Baha’u’llah did not do any shattering the yoke that burdens the people of Galilee as in the day of Midian’s defeat. (Isaiah 9:4)
c) The Baha’u’llah did not do any governing either, and Baha’is do not claim the Baha’u’llah will come again.
d) While the Baha’is might wish to govern the world, their International House of Justice is an irrelevancy as far as politics and government in the 20th and 21st century are concerned.

Q: In Isa 9:6, how can Jesus be called the "Everlasting Father" and the Trinity be true?
A: Modalists and Oneness Pentecostals often bring up this objection. Jesus is the father of our salvation, and the Father is in Jesus, but they are still distinct. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.268 says that the Hebrew phrase abi'ad could be translated as either "everlasting father" or "father of eternity". Regardless, Isaiah 9:6 is referring to a son, that is the child that is born. Of course, as I am both a son and a father, the Son can be the father of our eternal life without being His own father. See The Complete Book of Bible Answers p.148-149, When Cultists Ask p.77-78, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.268, When Critics Ask p.268, and 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.167 for more info.

Q: In Isa 9:6, since Jesus is "Mighty God", is this different from "Almighty God"?
A: No. Jehovah's Witnesses say this because they refuse to accept one fact: there is only One God for us to follow. There is only One Lord for us to obey. They try to say that Jesus is a second lesser "might" god. They say that Jesus is not a God in worship, or prayer to Him, but only in title [and an empty title at that!] people either have One God in their places of worship or multiple gods. In churches of God, we honor only God.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are distinct beings, but they are one inseparable God. See When Cultists Ask p.78-79 and The Complete Book of Bible Answers p.106 for more info.

Q: In Isa 9:6, is there evidence that Jews considered this to be a prophecy of the Messiah?
A: Yes. The Yemenite Midrash 349-350 and the Pereq Shalom p.101 show that some Jews considered this to be Messianic.

Q: In Isa 9:6-8, does this refer to the Christ?
A: Yes. Christ is the Greek for Messiah, and this is definitely a Messianic prophecy, for the Messiah will
a) Govern the people (Isaiah 9:6,7
b) Reign on David's throne (Isaiah 9:7)
c) From that time on and forever (Isaiah 9:7)
The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.534 says such rhapsodic phrases of an ideal king may refer to the coronation of a king such as Hezekiah. However, no Jews in ancient times every wrote that they held this apparently modern theory.

Q: In Isa 9:19, why are people fuel for the fire?
A: The people refuse to follow God, and they are objects of God's wrath (Ephesians 2:3). Perhaps the people themselves have crossed a "line of despair" (Francis Schaeffer's term) and they themselves would realize that when the Assyrians and later Babylonians came, that fuel for the fire is all that they were. We are all created in the image of God and valuable in God's sight. However, for those who will never follow God (the reprobate) they are just fuel for the fire.
As a side note, the false religion of Hinduism teaches that the fire god Agni "cooks people" after they die. (Rig Veda 10.16.1-2 p.49). Hindus desire to rejoin the cosmic flame, where all individuality is destroyed.

Q: In Isa 9:20, does this refer to cannibalism?
A: No. This is not cannibalism, but self-consumption to two ways.
Militarily, in Isaiah’s time Israelites in the northern kingdom often fought against the people of Judah, as Isaiah 9:21 says.
Spiritually, both individuals and the people collectively were hurting themselves and their children by the continued sin.

Q: In Isa 10:1-3, how do people make unjust laws?
A: Here is what one powerful government leader said, "It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes." The quote was by United States President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) (Quoted from The Great Quotations p.355.)
The source of the quote is interesting. Andrew Jackson was the one who ordered the U.S. army to forcibly remove the Cherokees from their land, in what was later known as the "Trail of Tears" after there was a treaty between them and the United States government to stay on the land. When it was threatened to bring a lawsuit against this in the Supreme Court, Jackson mocked at justice (Proverbs 19:28) saying, what army do they have?
In many cases, leaders either are not aware they are making unjust laws, or they conveniently forget justice when it is not important to them.

Q: In Isa 10:1-3, if a law is passed that does not contradict the Bible, is that law necessarily OK?
A: No. One can obey the letter of the law, but violate the spirit of the law. One could not specifically violate any Old Testament command, but still fail to follow what the Bible says about not oppressing others.

Q: In Isa 10:5, how could God use Assyria, since Assyria was so wicked and cruel?
A: Not only could God use the wicked Assyrians for His purposes, God even uses Satan and demons for His purposes. God being pure and holy, as He is described in the Bible, does not restrict Him from working all things as part of His plan (Ephesians 1:11). See 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.167 for more info.

Q: In Isa 10:12, how did God punish the lions of Assyria?
A: In at least three ways.
1. The people of Assyria were defeated, never to rise again. They were not all killed though. Tatian, the Christian writer and later Gnostic heretic was an Assyrian.
2. The Assyrian army was wiped out.
3. The king of Assyria died. The NIV translates "lions of Assyria" as "kings of Assyria".
On a secondary note, lions were a symbol of the Assyrian Empire. The Persians loved to hunt lions, and lions became extinct in the Mideast after the Persians came to power.

Q: In Isa 10:13-14, what is unusual about the style of these verses?
A: These verses are deliberately written in the style of an Assyrian victory inscription. The Bible commentator Clements was the first to notice this, according to The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.81.

Q: In Isa 10:15, how does an axe raise itself against the axe-user like the Assyrians raised themselves against God?
A: Just as it is futile, ungrateful, and ridiculous for a non-living axe to lift itself against its user, the Assyrians were trying to oppose God. Yet the strongest Assyrian warriors, clad in the best armor, could not withstand bacteria of a plague. Isaiah 20:16 says that God would send a wasting disease upon the Assyrian warriors.

Q: In Isa 10:19 (KJV), what does it mean that a child will lead them?
A: The NIV has a different meaning. It says the remaining trees [people] will be so few that a child could write down how many there were.

Q: In Isa 10:20-22, what happened to the "ten lost tribes" of Israel?
A: As pure salt is "lost" when it is mixed with mud, the people of the ten tribes of Israel assimilated into the other Mideast peoples. In particular, many of the Israelites who remained in Israel intermarried with the others brought in, and became Samaritans. When the Jews returned from Babylon, there were members of the ten tribes among the returnees, too.
This Hebrew word sa'ar, meaning "remnant" or "survivors", was how the returning Jews were to think of themselves. As believers in a fallen world, we can think of ourselves as a remnant too. See 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.168 for more info.

Q: In Isa 10:24, why should Zion (Jerusalem) be not afraid of Assyria, since Assyria later besieged Jerusalem in a very difficult siege?
A: Three points to consider in the answer.
Jerusalem was never captured or destroyed by the Assyrians.
Also, this might have been written after the unsuccessful siege.
Regardless, this prophecy would be forever true after that time.

Q: In Isa 11:1-3, does this refer to the future Messiah?
A: Yes. Not only do Christians say this, but so does the Dead Sea Scroll Commentary on Isaiah 4Q161. According to The Dead Sea Scrolls in English 4th ed. p.321 the commentary says, " [Interpreted, this concerns the Branch] of David who shall arise at the end [of days] … God will uphold him with [the spirit of might and will give him] a throne of glory and a crown of [holiness] and many-coloured garments …[He will put a sceptre] in his hand and he shall rule over all the [nations]. And Magog …and his sword shall judge [all] peoples."

Q: Could Isa 11:1-10 refer to the Baha’u’llah of the Baha’is, because part of that has not been fulfilled yet? For example, slaying the wicked, lion and ox lying down together, etc. (Some Answered Questions p.62-66 and Baha’u’llah and the New Era p.266-267)
A: No. While Christ fulfilled some in His first coming, some will be fulfilled in His second coming. The reason Baha’is are twisting this passage, and it does not refer to Baha’u’llah, is that
Jesus, not Baha’u’llah was descendant of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1,10)
Jesus, not Baha’u’llah "with his breath of his lips will slay the wicked" (Isaiah 11:4b). With the Baha’u’llah, the opposite occurred, many Baha’is were struck down, it was not Baha’u’llah doing the slaying.
The lion and ox, and other animals did not lie down together when the Baha’u’llah came either. (Isaiah 11:6-8)
The gospel of Jesus fulfills "the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD" (Isaiah 11:9). As of today, most of the people of the world have no idea who the Baha’u’llah claimed to be.

Q: In Isa 11:4, how does Jesus reprove with equity for the meek and still rule the earth with the rod of his wrath?
A: Jesus will come again and make war. His power in wrath will provide protection for Jerusalem.

Q: In Isa 11:5, how is righteousness the girdle of the Branch?
A: The Branch is Jesus, and His righteousness had a major role in Him being our Savior. Only a man could be a mediator representing mankind. Only a sinless person could pay the price for and be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).

Q: In Isa 11:6-8, when will these animals all get along?
A: This will happen during the Millennium, which is the 1,000 year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6. They will have no reason to fear any danger from one another. God has the power to change the diet of any animals as he wishes.

Q: In Isa 11:11, when will God reward the remnant "a second time"?
A: After both the Assyrians and Babylonians reduced Judah, God would yet restore the Jews after the exile.

Q: In Isa 11:12, why does the Bible speak of the four corners of the earth?
A: This is just an expression, which we still use today, for the points of a compass.

Q: In Isa 11:13-14, when will the regathered Israelites swoop down on the lands of Philistia, Edomites, Moab, and subject the Ammonites?
A: The verbs here imply military victory. There are at least two possibilities.
Prior to the Messiah reigning, the Jews will conquer these lands. Philistia includes the land of the modern Gaza strip. Edom and Moab are in the country of Jordan, and the Ammonites lived in the lands now known as Jordan and Syria.
After the Messiah comes to reign, this conquest will occur. This might happen at the end of the Millennium when Satan stirs up the nations against Israel.

Q: In Isa 11:15, what is the Egyptian Sea?
A: This is not the Mediterranean Sea, but rather the Red Sea.

Q: In Isa 11:16, why will there be a highway made for the remnant of God’s people?
A: It does not say people built it for God’s people, but rather God used it as the route for His people. During Roman times, one key reason for the rapid spread of Christianity was the excellent Roman roads that enabled extensive and rapid travel.
Remember that there were few long roads in existence in Isaiah's time. After Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon, he built a road from Babylon to Egypt. The only other two roads connected Sardis and other Asia Minor cities to Babylon, Susa, and other Persian cities.
An alternate view is that this is the same highway mentioned in Isaiah 35:8-10, which is for the redeemed, probably during the Millennium mentioned in Revelation 20:1-7.

Q: In Isa 12:3, how do the joyous draw water out of the wells of salvation?
A: God not only saved us, He sustains our spirit. We can come to Him for comfort, love, and in high spirits or low. Jesus says He gives Living water in John 4:10-14.

Q: Does Isa 12:3, support the Catholic concept of stores of grace?
A: No. As God sustained the Israelites during the Exodus, He is sufficient to sustain us from His infinite, never-running dry wells of salvation. Do not settle for shallow, finite wells of questionable purity from beings who are not God. Isaiah 12:2 says that God is our salvation, not Mary or anyone else.

Q: In Isa 13:1,20-22, was this permanent destruction of Babylon fulfilled prior to Christ, or will this be fulfilled in the future?
A: Christians have three interpretations.
Past Fulfillment: Babylon was captured by the Persians and Medes, though it was not destroyed at that time. Babylon became on of the capitals of the Persian Empire. Later Babylon was destroyed and not rebuilt.
Future Fulfillment: Though Babylon is not inhabited now, the prophecy has not been fulfilled yet. Babylon will be rebuilt, and then it will be destroyed in the end times in Revelation 18 and 19.
Dual Fulfillment: This prophecy is fulfilled already. The city of Babylon is already destroyed and will never be inhabited again. The Babylon in Revelation represents a false religious system, centered at a city of seven hills (such as Rome). It will be destroyed in the end times.

Q: In Isa 13:9, is God cruel?
A: Make no mistake, the Day of the Lord is cruel. God has great wrath, but God is also just.

Q: In Isa 13:17, why does it say the Medes did not care for silver or gold?
A: The Scythians, a people related to the Medes, amassed huge hordes of gold. In contrast, the Medes and Persians did not raid for booty like the Scythians. The Medes and Persians were out to defeat the Lydian and Babylonian empires, and to forge their own Empire. Instead of plundering all of the wealth out of their subject peoples, as the Assyrians did, the Medes and Persians cultivated loyal subjects, though they taxed them.

Q: In Isa 14:1-17, has this prophecy about Jacob been fulfilled already?
A: No, the Jews never made servants of their captors on the scale Isaiah speaks. This likely will occur during the millennium mentioned in Revelation 20:1-7.

Q: In Isa 14:3, what does the phrase, "in the sides of the north" mean?
A: The Hebrew word for "north" and "Zaphon" were the same. Mount Zaphon was a mountain in Syria sacred to Baal. Worshippers believed their gods lived on Mount Zaphon, like Greeks believed their gods lived on Mount Olympus. While Isaiah 14:3 simply might have meant north, it instead might be implicitly saying the true God is greater than all the gods said to live on Mount Zaphon.

Q: In Isa 14:3 (KJV) and (NKJV), should this say "golden city"?
A: The NKJV says "golden" but adds as a footnote "or insolent".
This Hebrew word is difficult to translate, and some took this as "golden city" because of the Aramaic (not Hebrew) word for gold. However, the Dead Sea scroll 1Q Isa shows that translators probably confused d and r, and this is why the Septuagint and Syriac read this as golden city. It actually should be "arrogance/insolence has ceased." See the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.708 for more info.

Q: In Isa 14:14, who was the king of Babylon?
A: Some think this is simply a present or future king of Babylon. The NIV Study Bible p.1037 says this was the Assyrian King. One of his titles at this time was king of Babylon.

Q: In Isa 14:9-11, what is this saying about the dead?
A: This metaphoric language says the ungodly dead people were waiting for Babylon to permanently join them.

Q: In Isa 14:12-16 (KJV, NKJV), why is Lucifer mentioned here?
A: The Hebrew term here is "shining one", and the name Lucifer means "shining one", so Jerome, in translating the Vulgate, put the name Lucifer in here. The NASB says "star of the morning", the NIV says "morning star", the NRSV says "day star", and Green's Literal Translation says "shining star", the Septuagint says "dawn-bringer" and the Syriac Peshitta says the name 'Aylel. See The Complete Book of Bible Answers p.243-244, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.268-270, Hard Sayings of the Bible p.302-303, and New Age Bible Versions Refuted p.17 for more info.

Q: In Isa 14:12-16, does this refer to Satan (Lucifer), or to an earthly king of Babylon?
A: It almost certainly refers to Satan, also called Lucifer. The pride and cruelty here do not fit any king of Babylon from Isaiah's time onward. Here were the kings of Babylon.
627-605 B.C. Nabopolassar (Nabu-apal-usur)
605-Aug/Sept./562 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar II (Nabu-kudurri-usur) He was powerful, but not very cruel compared to the Assyrians.
562-560 B.C. Evil-Merodach (Amel-Marduk)
Nebuchadnezzar’s son
560-556 B.C. Neriglissar (Nergal-Sharezer)
Nebuchadnezzar’s son-in-law
556 B.C (2 months) Labashi-Marduk - From this time on, Babylon felt very threatened by the rising power of the Medes and Persians
556-539 B.C. Nabonidus (Nabu-na’ia)
553-10/539 B.C. Belshazzar (Bel-shar-usur) (co-regent)
539 B.C. Persians capture Babylon. Gubaru, a Persian general, is called the king of Babylon. Gubaru was actually a Babylonian governor who defected to the Persians.
Finally, in Luke 10:18 Jesus is alluding to Isaiah 10:18, except for lightning instead of dawn-bringer (Heosphoros), so Jesus identified this as Lucifer.
See Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.268-270, When Critics Ask p.268-269, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1326 for more info.
See Today's Handbook for Solving Bible Difficulties p.144,175 for a contrary view, that Isaiah 14 refers only to the king of Babylon, not Satan. However, 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.168 points out that Jesus so obviously alluded to Isaiah 14 in Luke 10:18 that it does mean Lucifer as well as the king of Babylon.

Q: In Isa 14:21, why do children die for the sins of the fathers, since Ezek 18:2,19-20 says they should not?
A: Four points to consider in the answer.
1. It did not say the children had the guilt of their fathers. Though, if they participated in the same sins, they would have the same guilt.
2. God was not slaughtering them. In this life, evil people often kill other evil people and their children.
3. Ezekiel 18 refers to God not killing a son because of the guilt of his father's sin.
4. Many times in this life people are killed unjustly because of others' sinful actions, as Ezekiel 13:29 shows.

Q: In Isa 14:22 (KJV), why are nephews specifically mentioned?
A: The NASB, NKJV, and NRSV say offspring and posterity. The NIV says offspring and descendants.

Q: In Isa 14:23, what animal is mentioned here?
A: A bittern is a type of bird. There is some uncertainty as to what animal the Hebrew meant. The KJV translates this as "bittern", as type of bird. The NIV translates this as "owls". The NASB, Jay P. Green’s literal translation, and the NRSV translate this animal as "hedgehog". The NKJV translates this as "porcupine".

Q: In Isa 14:28, what does the word "burden" mean here?
A: This was a term for a prophecy. One can carry a burden for some one else, and the prophet was carrying a heavy burden (message) from God that he just had to speak.

Q: In Isa 14:29; 30:6; Isa 59:5 (KJV), why is a mythical animal, a cockatrice, mentioned in the King James version of the Bible?
A: The NKJV says "fiery flying serpent", the NASB says serpent and viper, and the NIV says snake and viper.
A skeptical work, Asimov’s Guide to the Bible p.537 also mentions that the King James version is not correct here, and the horned viper snake is the most likely candidate for what was meant here. He correctly adds that the RSV translation "adder" could not be correct, as the adder snake was only present in continental Europe and the Island of Britain.

Q: In Isa 14:29-32, why are Philistines mentioned here?
A: It might be because the Philistines revolted against Assyria in 715 B.C. The Assyrians came and reconquered Philistia soon after that.

Q: In Isa 15:2 (KJV), where is Bajith?
A: The NKJV says the Hebrew is bayith, which means house. This refers to a house of worship, or a temple as the NIV translates it.

Q: In Isa 16:2, what is the significance of the fords of Arnon?
A: This was the low place where one could cross the Jordan Rive between Israel and Moab.

Q: In Isa 16:11 (KJV), what does "bowels sounding" mean?
A: This means that his innermost being is lamenting.

Q: In Isa 16:14, when did this three year period of Moab’s rapid decline occur?
A: This occurred soon after the prophecy when the Assyrians came to Judah.
While we do not know of Judah's relations with Moab, we know that Hezekiah, king of Judah, was strong enough to defeat the Philistines and imprison the Philistine king Padi of Ekron. See The NIV Study Bible p.559 for more info.

Q: In Isa 16:14 (KJV), what is a hireling?
A: This King James Version expression means a hired servant. A hired person would be under contract for a period of time.

Q: In Isa 17:1-3, what exactly happened to Damascus and the cities of Syria?
A: Isaiah lived a long life, and this may have been written prior to 733 B.C., or else prior to 720 B.C. Here is some history up to that time.
841 and 838 B.C. Shalmaneser the Assyrian invaded much of Aram (modern Syria), but he was not able to conquer Damascus.
807-806 B.C. While the Assyrians were busy fighting the Mannaeans/Armenians, Damascus attacked Israel in 2 Kings 10:32.
805-802 B.C. Assyrian Adad-nirari III besieges Damascus.
796 B.C. Assyrians besiege Damascus and leave after Damascus pays heavy tribute.
c.735 B.C. Damascus, Tyre, and Israel combine forces against the Assyrians, and attempt to force Judah to join them.
733-732 B.C. Tiglath Pileser III destroys all the towns in Syria and captures Damascus, killing its king Radyan. This was 591 towns according to the Assyrian Annals.
720 B.C. Damascus and some other cities join Hamath, which was never conquered by the Assyrians, in rebelling. Sargon II crushes the revolt though at Qarqar.
711 B.C. Just like Sargon resettled other peoples in Israel, Sargon settled exiles from the cities of Papa, Lullukna, and other places in Damascus.
See The Anchor Bible Dictionary vol.2 p.6-7, the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1959 edition) vol.7 p.2-3, and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.6 p.117-118 for more info.

Q: In Isa 17:10, what are some reasons people forget their Savior?
A: People sometimes have a short memory when it comes to gratitude. They can forget their Savior in at least five ways.
Pride can make people forget they need saving.
Time is important to set aside for God.
Worries of this world drown out their devotion for God.
Sin keeps them from enjoying God's pleasure.
Fear of persecution, or loss of job or prestige.
Isaiah 17:10-11 says that since they forgot God their Savior, God will "remember" to keep blessing from them. Haggai 1:2-11 also mentions how the people built their own paneled houses, forgetting God's house, and God "assisted them with remembering" by keeping prosperity from them.

Q: In Isa 18:2,7 (KJV), what does "meted out" mean?
A: It means dispersed or divided.

Q: In Isa 18:5 (KJV), what is the sour grape here?
A: In the KJV and Green’s Translation, this refers to immature grapes before they are ripe. However the NIV translates this as "flower".

Q: In Isa 19:2-3, when did this civil war among Egyptians occur?
A: The Libyans of the 22nd Dynasty (945-712 B.C.) fought against both the Nubians/Ethiopians of the 25th Dynasty (770-712 B.C.), the native Egyptian Saites of the 24th Dynasty (724-712 B.C.) as well as various rules of what we called the 23rd Dynasty (c.828-712 B.C.) See The NIV Study Bible p.1043 for more info. The dates are taken from The Cultural Atlas of the World : Ancient Egypt p.37.

Q: In Isa 19:4-10, when would the Nile and other rivers dry up?
A: This is true in at least three ways.
1. The flow of the mighty Nile River came from the rains in central East Africa that fed Lake Victoria. Less rain in East central Africa would mean a year of famine for Egypt.
2. Long term, the land of Egypt and the Sahara has become more arid.
3. Metaphorically, the political power of Egypt would greatly diminish?

Q: In Isa 19:17, when and how was the land of Judah a terror unto Egypt?
A: The Babylonians, Persians, Alexander the Great, the Seleucids, the Muslims, and the Turks, all conquered Egypt by passing through Palestine. The Assyrians, and the nation of Israel also fought Egypt, though they did not conquer it.

Q: In Isa 19:18, when did five cities of Egypt speak the language of Canaan?
A: First, it does not say they will speak "Canaanitish", but rather the language that is spoken in Canaan.
After the fall of Jerusalem, many Jews fled to Egypt. In fact, under the Persians, the main fort at Elephantine in south Egypt was manned by Jewish mercenaries. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.579 also mentions the Jewish colony on Elephantine Island.
During the time of the early church, tradition says Mark was one of the first to evangelize Egypt. He and other Christians were so successful that Alexandria in Egypt, became one of the four main centers of Christianity, at least as important as Jerusalem.

Q: In Isa 19:18, which city was called the city of destruction?
A: Some manuscripts say the "city of the sun", because the Hebrew word for destruction is almost the same as the word for sun. Heliopolis, or city of the sun, is most likely the city referred to here.

Q: In Isa 19:19, when was there an altar to the Lord in the Middle of Egypt?
A: this verse predicts one or both of the following:
Prior to Jesus, many Jews moved to Egypt and practiced Judaism there., including some Jews who translated the Bible into Greek.
After Jesus’ resurrection, Egypt, Jerusalem, and Antioch in Syria were the three main centers of Christianity for some time.

Q: In Isa 19:20, how did a great savior save Egypt?
A: This could be taken in two ways.
Spiritually, after the time of Christ, Egypt was a center of Christianity.
Politically, the Egyptians joyfully greeted Alexander of Macedon. They viewed him as a friendly liberator, freed the Egyptians from Persian rule.

Q: In Isa 19:22, when did the Lord strike Egypt, and when did God heal it?
A: In the past Egypt had been ruled by foreign people (Hyksos, Libyans, Nubians, etc.) Yet Egypt had always been an independent country, not a subject nation. That would change when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt. The Persians too would conquer Egypt, though Egypt would rebel a number of times under the Persians.

Q: In Isa 19:23, when was the highway between Egypt and Assyria built?
A: In Isaiah's time, it would seem incredible that Egyptians would want to peacefully travel to Assyria and vice versa. Egypt and Assyria were both under the Persian Empire, though Egypt often rebelled. They were both together under Alexander of Macedon, and by Roman times there were very good roads linking much of the ancient Mideast.

Q: In Isa 20:1 (KJV), who is "Tartan"?
A: This was the title for the commander of the Assyrian army. The NIV translates this as "the supreme commander". The NKJV margin says "Commander in chief".

Q: In Isa 20:2-3, why did God command Isaiah to walk around without clothes?
A: First of all, Isaiah was living in his own culture, not ours. Also, the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.477 says that the Hebrew word here was often used of men clad only in their inner tunic.

Q: In Isa 21:5, why were shields "anointed" back then?
A: This refers to putting oil on a shield to keep it from rusting. It would also make the shield appear better, since the oil would make it shine.

Q: In Isa 21:7, is the rider on "donkeys" Jesus, and the rider on "camels" Mohammed, as some Muslims claim?
A: No. Three points to consider in the answer.
1. These were messengers at that time coming to report that Babylon has fallen. The only special significance is that perhaps the camel riders might be scouts, donkey riders might be civilians, and charioteers might be military men.
2. The evil Midianites rode on camels too, but that is just as irrelevant as talking about Mohammed here.
3. Finally, there were camel riders (plural), so even if one was Mohammed, this would mean that another camel rider would be coming after him.
There is no point in trying to "strain a gnat and swallow a camel" to try to use this verse to show consistency with Islam when there is so much in the Bible (Fatherhood of God, Trinity, saved by grace, Holy Spirit, etc.) that runs counter to Islam.
See When Cultists Ask p.79 and When Critics Ask p.269 for more info.

Q: In Isa 21:13 (KJV), where are the forests in Arabia?
A: The King James Version did not translate this well. There are no forests in Arabia unless you count the trees by oases. Rather The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.138 says this either should be "thicket" (a clump of trees or bushes), or else the word means the same as a similar Arabic word for "rocky terrain". The use of thicket assumes a different vowel pointing in the Hebrew.

Q: Do Isa 21:13-17 and Isa 42:10-11 refer to the Battle of Badr, where a few [allegedly] ill-armed Muslims miraculously defeated the mighty men of Kedar [allegedly] (Quraish) of Mecca?
A: This is wishful thinking about the Bible. At the Battle of Badr in 624 A.D. (A.H. 3), 300 or 328 Muslims killed 70 Meccans and captured 70 more while losing 14 of their own. It was a victory, but not miraculous on the order of Joshua, Moses parting the Red Sea. I do not know where he got the idea the Medina camel-raiders were ill-armed. See Sahih Muslim vol.3:4394 (p.975-976), Sahih Muslim vol.3:4341 p.951 vol.3:4360 p.960-961 (17 Ramadan, 2 A.H.) Bukhari vol.5 book 59 no.462 (p.323); Bukhari vol.4:324 p.206; Bukhari vol.5 book 59 no.292 p.201.
Now look again at Isaiah 21:16,17 again; it says that within one year, the survivors of the bowmen, the warriors of Kedar, will be few. One year after Badr, the Meccans were not conquered, much less wiped out. Rather, this refers to the Assyrians of Isaiah’s time attacking the northern Arabian tribes in 715 B.C.

Q: In Isa 21:16-17, when was this prophecy of Kedar fulfilled?
A: Kedar was a well-known tribe in Arabia north of Mecca, and the Assyrians and Babylonians would try to control Arabia too. The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.137-138 mentions that Sargon II waged a campaign against the northern Arabian tribes in 715 B.C.

Q: In Isa 22:2, which city is referred to here?
A: This is Jerusalem, as it is called the city of David in Isaiah 22:9.

Q: In Isa 22:13, what is the context of this statement, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die"?
A: It meant they had crossed the line of despair. Once they saw their destruction was certain, and so they thought to live it up, since they would all die soon anyway.

Q: In Isa 22:16, what was wrong with Shebna making a grave for himself?
A: Plenty was wrong, since he was using money from the public treasury to do it.

Q: In Isa 23:1,6,10,14, how is Tarshish related to Tyre?
A: The Phoenicians founded Tarshish in Spain, west of Gibraltar, in the ninth or tenth centuries B.C.

Q: In Isa 23:2,4, why is Sidon [Zidon] mentioned in relation to Tyre?
A: Tyre and Sidon only about 25 miles apart, and citizens of Sidon founded the city of Tyre.

Q: In Isa 23:15-17, when was this seventy-year captivity of Tyre?
A: Tyre lived on trade, and the Assyrians did not permit the city of Tyre to engage in any business activity starting about 701 B.C., when the Assyrian captured Usse near Tyre. This ended when Assyria's control of the Levant ended, about 630 B.C.
Carthage had been found 815/814 B.C., and the people of Tyre could simply go to there, Sidon, or other Phoenician cities to trade.
See The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.147, the New International Bible Commentary p.736, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1070-1071 for more info.

Q: In Isa 24:1-4, when will the earth (or land) be made empty?
A: Isaiah 24-27 has been called "the Little Apocalypse" because these three chapters discuss the endtimes. In the end, God will bring destruction to the entire surface of the earth.

Q: In Isa 24:5, since the people changed the ordinances, does that mean the Old Testament was corrupted?
A: No. God’s word stand firm in the Heavens (Psalm 119:89,91,144,160; 1 Peter 1:25) and God’s word will never depart from the mouths of God’s people on earth (Isaiah 59:21). God’s Word does not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).
Yet in Joshua 1:8, God commanded Joshua not to let the words of God’s Law depart from Joshua’s mouth. Therefore, while God guarantees that His word will not depart from everyone’s mouth, Joshua (and each person) have a responsibility to not let God’s word depart from their own mouth.
God will ensure his word on the earth. However, some people can ignore God’s laws, make their own laws contrary to God. The fact that some one makes new laws, does not mean the old laws are lost.

Q: In Isa 24:10, which city is the city of confusion?
A: This is translated "ruined city" in the NIV. This is not the name of a city, but a description of a city.
Which city is this? Based on the parallels with Revelation 18, and the fact that both passages are speaking of the end times, this city is probably Babylon. As a side note, Isaiah 24-27 has been called "The Little Apocalypse".

Q: In Isa 24:21-22, when will the host of the high on high be punished?
A: This refers to the end times, and could refer to a parallel passage in Revelation 12:7-12. See Hard Sayings of the Bible p.303-304 for more on relating this section of Isaiah to the Millennium mentioned in Revelation 20:1-7.

Q: In Isa 24:23, how will the sun and moon be shamed?
A: This is figurative language meaning that they will become dim, as though they were in shame. This will happen during the tribulation, when people will have reason to hang their heads in shame for recognizing God’s hand in a more direct way than ever before, and yet still rejecting God.

Q: In Isa 25:1-2, how is this destruction "a wonderful thing"?
A: It is true that destruction never looks wonderful to the one being destroyed; ask any criminal about to be executed. Yet, if an enemy that is about to kill you is stopped, that is a wonderful thing for you. This destruction is in fact wonderful in two ways.
Destruction of the Enemies of Judah is wonderful for Judah, in that she can be at peace when those who want to invade her are destroyed.
Execution of justice is a wonderful thing, that all of the great injustice that has been done on the earth will finally be set right.

Q: In Isa 25:6 (KJV), what are "wines on the lees"?
A: This means aged wine, which apparently tastes better than "new wine" that has not been aged.

Q: In Isa 25:11 and Isa 26:5, why is God so intent on humbling the proud?
A: Scripture does not say, but there can be at least three complementary reasons.
God's glory: God desires all to glorify Him, and fallen man tends to glorify himself instead of God.
For their sake: Sometimes a person needs to be humbled, and put flat on their back, before they will look up.
For the sake of others: Sometimes when a person is humbled or disciplined, others will notice and learn from the punishment of that person.

Q: In Isa 26:3, how does God keep people in perfect peace when their mind is steadfast?
A: God does not eliminate our difficulties, but he gives us the comfort, strength, and help to go through those difficulties. This sounds similar to Philippians 4:6-7, where we are not to be anxious about anything, but if we make our requests known to God, then God's peace, which passes all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds.

Q: In Isa 26:7-8, how are the paths of the righteous level and smooth?
A: One way to understand these verses is to focus on the path. A good path is level so that it will not trip people up, does not go in circles or lead the wrong way.
Another way to understand these verses is to focus on the people who find the path to travel. We know where we are going and the Way to get there. Walking in God's way, we do not have to hide or live in shame for what we do or did not do.

Q: In Isa 26:8-9, how do we cultivate an attitude of yearning for God?
A: Here are some ways to deepen our love for God.
Spend time in prayer, delighting in God and praising Him.
Learn to wait for God's leading, rather than leading ourselves and hoping God will follow.
Glorify God on earth though our life, in both our obedience and our service.
Preach and teach so that God's name would be honored on earth.
Care for the material needs of others as well as their spiritual needs.
Love God above everything else, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Remember God's promises of eternal life, and the temptations and sufferings down here will seem small. (1 Peter 1:6-9; 1 Corinthians 2:9)

Q: In Isa 26:10, do the wicked not behold the majesty of the Lord, or will everyone behold God's glory as Isa 40:5 says?
A: Revelation 1:7; Philippians 2:10; Isaiah 40:5; and Isaiah 45:23-24 show that in the end everyone will see God. Isaiah 26:10 says, "regard not the majesty of the LORD." (NIV) The Hebrew word for "see/regard" is chazah. According to Strong's Concordance it means "to gaze at, mentally to perceived, contemplate (with pleasure); spec. To have a vision of." There are two complementary answers.
1. The wicked do not contemplate or regard the Lord, but all will see the Lord regardless of whether they want to or not.
2. The wicked do not now recognize the Lord, but in the end all will see the Lord.
See When Critics Ask p.270 for more info.

Q: In Isa 26:19, what does this say about resurrection?
A: This is one of the verses that show, contrary to what critics say, they believed in an afterlife prior to the exile. Other verses that also show this are Hosea 13:14; Proverbs 14:32, Job 3:13-17, and Job 19:26-27. Of course, this does include Daniel or Ezekiel, which were written after the exile.

Q: In Isa 27:1-3, why is the serpent Leviathan being punished?
A: The answer is simple if one understands what Leviathan represents. There are four views of leviathan in Isaiah.
1. A dinosaur. Ancient people probably did occasionally come across the bones of dinosaurs.
2. A large aquatic animal, such as a hippopotamus, crocodile, or whale.
3. The nation of Egypt.
4. Satan. This is based on the parallelism between Isaiah 26:17-27:2 and Revelation 12:1-13.
The most likely answer in this poetic section is 2 plus 3 plus 4.

Q: In Isa 27:13, is this the trumpet of 1 Thess 4:17?
A: While Scripture does not say, this likely could be the same trumpet, as both will gather God’s people from distant lands. In Isaiah 27:13 they will come to "Zion" which might actually be Heaven, here.

Q: In Isa 28:1,4, what is the significance of the phrase "glory heart is a fading flower, set at the head of a fertile valley"?
A: This was apparently a common motif that God was telling them was not good in which to take pride. While we are not certain of the significance of these words to the ungodly Israelites, it might refer to the still present but fading glory of their past history.

Q: In Isa 28:4 (KJV), what is "hasty fruit"?
A: This is the fruit that first appears, or is picked before it is ripe.

Q: In Isa 28:5, what is a "diadem"?
A: A diadem is a diamond or other type of jewel.

Q: Does Isa 28:10-13 refer to Arabic, since it speaks of people with a stammering tongue?
A: This is again wishful thinking. Greek is more distant to Hebrew than Arabic is. However, Isaiah 28:13 says the word of the Lord was to them just rules, and many people see Sunni Islam the same way, just rules to follow with no personal relationship with God.

Q: In Isa 28:11, what is the significance of stammering lips and another tongue?
A: The Jews knew about the true God for centuries. Nevertheless, people of recent nationalities speaking other tongues, would be teaching the Jews about the true God in the future.

Q: In Isa 28:13, what does this mean?
A: There are two views.
Rule upon rule: God's word has become to this people nothing more than rules upon rules to follow. They lost the desire to draw near to God.
Nonsense: This was mocking the drunken babbling of some of Isaiah's listeners. Hard Sayings of the Bible p.305 holds this view, and says this is repeating two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, sort of like the slang expression in English "watch your p's and q's." It also adds the interesting note that "watch your p's and q's" in English originally meant to watch your pints and quarts of liquor.
See 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.168-169 for more on both meanings.

Q: In Isa 28:16, how does the foundation stone relate to Christ?
A: Christ is the cornerstone of our relationship with God, as 1 Peter 2:6 shows.

Q: In Isa 28:21, what is God’s "strange work" or "alien task"?
A: This refers to the work of a good, kind, loving God in destroying people because of the demands of justice and holiness. God does not desire that any perish (2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18), but since He administers justice, He will judge people.

Q: In Isa 28:22 (KJV), what does "God of Hosts a consumption" mean?
A: This means God will destroy the land.

Q: In Isa 28:25,27 (KJV), what are "fitches"?
A: The NIV translates this a "caraway", a type of seed. Jay P. Green's Literal Translation says this is "black cummin".

Q: In Isa 29:1-2,7, why is Jerusalem called "Ariel" here?
A: Isaiah was referring to Jerusalem with the figurative name of "Ariel". In Hebrew Ariel could mean "lion of God", and it can also mean "altar". The Believer’s Bible Commentary p.959 says Isaiah is implying that the city that was once a lion of God will be like a burning altar, and its inhabitants its victims. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.544 also agrees that Ariel is Jerusalem. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1078 for more info.

Q: In Isa 29:4, could this refer to the Book of Mormon, as some Mormons claim?
A: Familiar spirits" were occult spirits. Unless Mormons want to acknowledge a link between Mormonism and the occult, or to the residents of Jerusalem sinning in using Mediums, there would be no link.
However, Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of Mormonism, was convicted of the misdemeanor of glass-looking, which was an occultic practice. Maybe the Mormons do have a point here after all, relating this to Mormonism. See When Cultists Ask p.79 for more info.

Q: In Isa 29:4, what does this mean?
A: This refers to the evil people of Jerusalem. Those who had communion with mediums, would themselves be a dead people. They would be humbled as the dust, and pass away like the spirits with which they tried to communicate.

Q: In Isa 29:7-8, when will this miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem occur?
A: This could relate to either:
a) The plague that happened to the Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem, or
b) The end times destruction at the end of the Millennium.
c) or both.

Q: In Isa 29:10-13, what does not being able to read the book mean?
A: For 400 years prior to Christ, there would be a silence of prophecy from God. Some would not follow the Messiah because they did not read God's word. Others such as the Pharisees did read God's word, but they would not choose to recognize the Messiah when He came.

Q: In Isa 29:13, how are some one’s lips able to draw near to God, but their heart is far away?
A: People can join a religion for all kinds of reasons. I know one person who joined the Mormon Church, and later left it, because he thought he could have more than one wife. (He left when he learned that was only on earth). I heard of one Muslim fundamentalist who actually was an atheist. He told my friend that he thought it was a good way to live.
Others join a religion, or more commonly remain in a religion, because of custom, family, or a lack of desire to seek the truth.

Q: In Isa 29:22, is this talking about the individual person Jacob, or Israelites descended from Jacob?
A: While this is true of Jacob in Heaven, the primary meaning here is his descendents, the Israelites. God's promises to the individuals Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had aspects that even extended to their descendents.

Q: In Isa 30:4, where is the city of "Hanes"?
A: Hanes is pronounced as "HA-nez" (yes two syllables), with both vowels long. This was a city in Egypt about 55 miles (88 kilometers) south of Memphis on the West bank of the Nile River, according to the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.751. However, it also says that based on an Aramaic (Syriac) targum, a few scholars identify Hanes with Taphenes, an eastern Egyptian fort.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1080 says the location of Hanes in Egypt is unknown, but it was probably near Zoan. Zoan is near the northeast border of Egypt.

Q: In Isa 30:7 (KJV), should this say "strength" or "Rahab" as other translations say?
A: The King James Version is incorrect here. The Hebrew word here is "Rahab" which is a nickname for Egypt. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.545 also says "Rahab" is a personification of Egypt.

Q: In Isa 30:10, how could people only ask for prophets to tell them what they want to hear?
A: People sometimes want to feel good about themselves and feel close to God, without the responsibility of obeying God. God does not only want your time, money, and abilities, God wants you.
2 Timothy 4:2-5 also warns us that in the last days people will gather around them teachers who teach what they want to hear. The surprising thing is that people who are this way generally do not consciously admit this, even to themselves.
How are we to tell if we are this way? Paul commands us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to examine ourselves. If the True God told us to do something we otherwise would not want to do, would we do it?

Q: In Isa 30:15-17, when will the prophecy of fleeing on horses be fulfilled?
A: This was true when the Assyrians and later the Babylonians invaded Palestine.

Q: In Isa 30:21, does this refer to the Holy Spirit given to Christians?
A: Probably yes. Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit lives in all believers (Romans 8:9-16), but prior to Pentecost this was not so. The Holy Spirit was only in certain believers, such as prophets, and the Holy Spirit could leave, as he left Saul and Samson.

Q: In Isa 30:22, should we defile and destroy all images of idols?
A: This verse says believers should defile and destroy all of their idols. If does not refer to the idols of others, who are nonbelievers, and the Israelites never invade Egypt or other countries for the sole purpose of destroying idols.

Q: In Isa 30:22, why is it important to not have idol images in your house?
A: For at least three reasons.
1. God does not like idols, and forbade that we have images to other gods. Exodus 20:4-5 mentions idols, even separate from not having any other gods. This alone is reason enough.
2. It gives the appearance of evil. Both 2 Corinthians 8:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:22 say to avoid every appearance/form of evil. In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, the word for appearance/form is "video" in Greek. Even if you never worship the idol, displaying an idol in your house makes light of the sin of idolatry, by having the image in your house.
3. Isaiah 30:22 says that when the Israelites would defile their graven images, and then God would give them blessing.
See also the discussion on Ezekiel 5:11 for more info.

Q: In Isa 30:26, in the future will the light of the sun and moon increase, or will it decrease as Isa 24:23 says?
A: Both. The sun was darkened and the moon turned to blood during Christ's crucifixion. It will happen again in Revelation 6:12-13, again in Revelation 8:12. Later the sun will scorch people with fire in Revelation 16:8. Then the beast's kingdom will be plunged into darkness in Revelation 16:10. Finally during the new heaven and earth, there will be no more need for the sun according to Revelation 22:5. See When Critics Ask p.269 for more info.

Q: In Isa 30:33, where is "Topheth"?
A: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1081 and the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.1727 say that Topheth was in the Hinnom Valley south of Jerusalem. This would be where Gehenna was, which was also used as a synonym for Hell.

Q: In Isa 31:3 (KJV), what is "he that is holpen"?
A: This King James Version expression means "he that is helped".

Q: In Isa 31:8, when was this prophecy about the Assyrian army fulfilled?
A: This happened when the Assyrian army besieged Jerusalem in 2 Kings 19:35.

Q: In Isa 32:5 (KJV), what is wrong with being liberal or bountiful?
A: The NIV translates this as noble and highly respected. Either way, it is fine to be this way. Isaiah 32:5 refers to thinking highly of a wicked fool.

Q: In Isa 32:5,7 (KJV), what is a churl?
A: The NIV translates this a "scoundrel". Jay P. Green translates this as "miser". Either way, it is not a person one desires to be around.

Q: In Isa 32:9,10, what is wrong with a woman who is at ease and careless?
A: Careless here means carefree. When oppression occurs, God does not want people to be unconcerned and at ease.

Q: In Isa 32:16, how will judgment dwell in the wilderness and righteousness remain in the fruitful field?
A: The context was the exile of Israel and the imminent exile of Judah. Judgment and righteousness would remain in the land. After the exile, those people who desired God's judgment and righteousness would return to the land.

Q: In Isa 33:4, how is spoil gathered like the gathering of the caterpillar?
A: These were not the caterpillars of butterflies and moths, but caterpillars that were feared. These were the caterpillars of locusts that devastated fields of crops, and left famine in their wake.

Q: In Isa 33:18 (KJV), what is a receiver?
A: This is the person who collected the taxes.

Q: In Isa 33:23 (KJV), what are tacklings?
A: These are riggings on a boat.

Q: In Isa 34:4, when will the sky be rolled up like a scroll?
A: This will happen during the tribulation, when the Sixth seal is opened according to Revelation 6:14.

Q: In Isa 34:5, how is God’s sword bathed in heaven?
A: This simply means that God will ensure that most of the Edomites are killed by the sword. The idiom of making a sword drunk, or bathing a sword means using it to kill so many people that it is "bathed" in blood.
The Hebrew literally says, "My sword is drenched in the heavens."
The KJV says "For my sword shall be bathed in heaven:"
NASB says "For My sword is satiated in heaven,"
NIV says "My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens"
NKJV says "For My sword shall be bathed in heaven;"
The Septuagint says "my sword has been made drunk in heaven"

Q: In Isa 34:5,6 and Ezek 35:15; 36:5 (KJV), why is Idumea is mentioned?
A: Idumea was a later name for the land of Edom. It was first called Idumea starting around the fourth century B.C., almost 200 years after Isaiah was written. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.545 mentions correctly mentions that this was the name in Greek and Roman times and that the RSV used "Edom". However, Asimov fails to mention that in all four verses the Hebrew says "Edom". It is only the King James Version that uses the anachronistic name Idumea. Of course, the Septuagint, written in Greek, also uses Idumea.

Q: In Isa 34:5-6, who will the sword of the Lord be against?
A: In Isaiah 34:5 it is against beings "in heaven", and in Isaiah 34:6 it shifts to fighting on the earth. This great slaughter on earth starts in Edom and is the same as what occurs when Christ comes again in Revelation 19:15 according to the New Geneva Study Bible p.1081.
As to what fighting in heaven means, there are two views, and both could be true.
Pantheons of idols: Gods sword will destroy the worship of these false gods. New Geneva Study Bible p.1081
The war in Heaven mentioned in Revelation 12:7-9.
Idols and the destruction of the heavens and the earth: The first fulfillment is the destruction of the Edomite gods, but the ultimate fulfillment is the destruction of the Heaven and the earth in Revelation 21. (New International Bible Commentary p.744)

Q: In Isa 34:7 and Num 24:8 (KJV), why are unicorns mentioned?
A: The King James Version mistranslated this. The Hebrew word really means wild oxen as the NASB, NIV, NKJV, RSV, and Green's literal translation say. The Septuagint translated this as "mighty ones".

Q: In Isa 34:10 and Isa 2:10-21, when is this Day of the Lord?
A: This is the Day of the Lord in the endtimes, mentioned in the book of Revelation. See 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.165 for more info.

Q: In Isa 34:10, when will Edom’s smoke go up forever and ever?
A: This could refer to the smoke of Babylon going up forever and ever in Revelation 19:3. Generally, the destruction of the ungodly is eternal.

Q: In Isa 34:11 (KJV), what is a "bittern"?
A: The NIV translates this screech owl, but adds in a footnote that the precise identification of these birds is uncertain.

Q: In Isa 34:13 (KJV), why are dragons mentioned?
A: The King James Version did not translate this correctly, and the skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.545 also assumes is was dragons. The correct word is "jackals", as the NIV, NKJV, and NRSV say. However, the NIV, NRSV, and The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 6 p.220 translate this as "jackals" in Isaiah 34:14. The NKJV translates this as "hyenas".

Q: In Isa 34:14 (KJV), what is a "satyr"?
A: The NIV and NKJV translate this as "wild goat". The NRSV translates this as "goat demon".

Q: Could Isa 35:1,2 refer to the Baha’u’llah of the Bahai’s, because it refers to the parched land being glad, and Lebanon and Carmel, where the Baha’u’llah spent the last years of his life?
A: Jesus was in that area too, so the mention of those places in and of itself does not give preference to the Baha’u’llah over Jesus. Unlike the prophecy in Isaiah 35:1,2 few people in Lebanon or Israel "rejoiced greatly" over the Baha’u’llah being there. When the British took over the region after World War I, the Muslims pretty much continued to do their thing, the Druze stayed doing their thing, the Jews later entered Israel and there were fierce wars (not rejoicing) between the two, and I have not heard of a lot of rejoicing that area since the Baha’u’llah went there. This is not implying in any way that the Baha’u’llah caused all of the strife and suffering over there; rather as far as the rejoicing or suffering over in Mt. Carmel the Baha’u’llah was irrelevant.

Q: In Isa 35:5-10, when will this blooming of the desert occur?
A: Many desert places in Israel literally are blooming today, and this is in spite of the fact that today the land is more arid than it was in Bible times. The reason for this paradox is irrigation.

Q: In Isa 35:8, what highway is the highway of holiness?
A: Isaiah 35:8-10 says only the redeemed will be on this highway, no any wicked people. This most likely will be during the Millennium.

Q: In Isa 36-37, where else is this great miracle recorded of the Assyrian army being slaughtered?
A: The Greek Herodotus records that the Assyrian army was overrun by an army of rats. Not only would the rats eat the bow strings and leather straps on the shields, they would bring the plague.
Herodotus says this was at Pelusium, while the Bible does not specify, except that the Assyrian army was besieging Jerusalem. Herodotus, not living in Judah might have been wrong on this detail. On the other hand, Herodotus might have been correct, because a contingent of the Assyrian army might have surrounded Jerusalem while other parts of the army were either capturing other cities or waiting for the Egyptians.

Q: In Isa 37:1, why did King Hezekiah tear his clothes here?
A: This is a common practice to show deep mourning, shame, or offense.

Q: In Isa 38:8, what is the significance of this miracle of the sun going back?
A: It would be very simple to "make" the sun go forward: just wait a little while. But if God could make the sun's shadow go backward, God could rewind the clock on Hezekiah's life too.
Some people wish God would rewind the clock on their life in a different way. They wish they could go back and not do some of the things they did or say what they said. While God does not rewind the clock for people in that way, He can "reset the clock" by giving people new life in Christ and forgiving them of their sins. Sometimes, as our brothers and sisters who are born-again in prison can tell you, God gives forgiveness, but they still have to pay for the consequences of their past actions.

Q: In Isa 38:9-22, what can we learn from Hezekiah's prayer?
A: After God told Hezekiah that Hezekiah was going to die soon, he was very unaccepting of God's will. Hezekiah turned to the Lord and prayed bitterly, asking God to change this and have him live longer.
We should pray all of our requests to God, but we should be accepting of God's will. During this additional time Manasseh was born, who was the most wicked king Judah ever had.

Q: In Isa 38:21 and 2 Ki 20:7, how did a plaster made of figs help Hezekiah recover?
A: First of all, a boil can be a serious thing, especially without antibiotics. Deadly staph infections start with a boil. Either the plaster was a means God used for the miracle, or else it was simply a medical treatment. This was a common medicinal treatment of that time, and the plaster helped in possibly four ways.
1. Fig plaster contains sugar, and this nutrient would help the bodies cells regrow better.
2. If the plaster was high in sugar as in a jam or jelly, then it would actually kill fast-growing bacteria. Jelly today at room temperature is not as susceptible to bacteria spoilage as one might think. Bacteria in a high-sugar environment absorb sugar so rapidly through osmosis that their cell walls burst and they die.
3. In addition, other compounds in the plaster perhaps would slow bacteria growth and adjust the pH.
4. Finally, if the wound were cleaned first, and plaster then applied, the plaster would protect the wound from dirt and airborne bacteria.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 4 p.274 says that the medicinal use of fig leaves goes at least as far back as the Ras Shamra tablets.

Q: In Isa 38:21 (KJV), what is a plaister?
A: This King James Version word means a medicinal poultice or plaster which is put over a wound or boil.

Q: In Isa 39:2-4, what was the significance of Hezekiah showing the Babylonian envoys everything?
A: The envoys came to discuss a military alliance against the Assyrians. They would want to know Hezekiah’s military and financial resources. Hezekiah apparently wanted to impress them, and he showed them the wealth he had stored up. The Babylonians undoubtedly would remember this and later desire to conquer Judah.
Notice that it never says Hezekiah prayed to God for direction on what he should show these nonbelievers.

Q: In Isa 39:6-7, did the Babylonians later invade because Hezekiah showed them everything?
A: While we cannot say for certain, it definitely did not help. On one hand, they eventually might have invaded Judah regardless of what Hezekiah showed them. On the other hand, they were probably more eager to invade Judah since they knew the land was rich enough to have this treasure stored up.
Jesus said not to throw your pearls to the pigs, less then trample them and then turn and tear you up (Matthew 7:6). While Hezekiah did not have the benefit of Jesus’ words, we can learn a lesson here. Be careful of displaying your valuable things, and private information to those who might later turn and use it to their advantage against you.

Q: In Isa 39:8, was this a good thing Hezekiah said, or bad thing?
A: It shows Hezekiah’s heart, and unfortunately it shows bad as well as good. Hezekiah was concerned about his own walk with God, and his own role as king. Regrettably Hezekiah was not very concerned about his legacy or what would happen after he left.
Unfortunately, Christians today can be short-sighted, too. We need to be concerned about our children and our legacy, in addition to our individual relationship with God.

Q: In Isa 40-44, many places emphasize that there is only one true God. How can the Trinity be true?
A: No one would say this contradicts the concept of the Trinity unless they did not understand what the Bible has revealed about the Trinity. One key aspect of the Trinity is that there is only One True God, but Three Distinct Persons. The Father, Son, and Spirit are God, but they are one inseparable God. See the discussion on Matthew 28:19 for more info on the Trinity.

Q: Is Isa 40-66 a second book by a different and later author who lived in Babylon?
A: No, see the discussion at the end of Isaiah for extensive answers on the two and three Isaiah theories.

Q: Could Isa 40:1-5a refer partly to John the Baptist and Christ, and partly to the Bab and Baha’u’llah, as Baha’is teach in Baha’u’llah and the New Era p.263-264?
A: No. Their explanation is interesting. They say this cannot refer only to John the Baptist and Christ, because the warfare of Jerusalem has not been completed "her hard service has been completed" Isa 40:2b. However, her warfare was not completed in the Baha’u’llah’s time either. Without that, there is nothing in this that suggests the Bab and Baha’u’llah. Furthermore, where did the Bab ever say "Prepare the way of the Lord". He taught that he was the manifestation of God, and that another manifestation would not appear for another 1,000 years.
Baha’is say Baha’u’llah means "glory of God" in Arabic, and Isaiah 40:5 uses the phrase "glory of the LORD", but it says that all mankind will see it/him. Now Baha’is say this title refers to a person, not his laws or organization. But when the Baha’u’llah died, a very, very small percentage of the world’s population had ever heard of him. Unless they are thinking of displaying his dead body to everyone, the whole world will not see whom they call "the glory of God."

Q: In Isa 40:2, was Jerusalem's sin paid for apart from Christ’s work on the cross?
A: No, because God did not specify here how it was forgiven. The returning exiles would repent of their ancestors' idolatry, and God would forgive them. The mechanism, of Jesus dying on the cross for all our sins, was not revealed to them yet.

Q: In Isa 40:3-4, how would people know this was referring to John the Baptist?
A: People would not know the name of the forerunner, but they would see from Isaiah