Isaiah has, with singular propriety, been denominated the Evangelical Prophet, on account of the number and variety of his prophecies concerning the advent and character, the ministry and preaching, the sufferings and death, and the extensive and permanent kingdom of the Messiah. So explicit and determinate are his predictions, as well as so numerous, that he seems to speak rather of things past than of events yet future; and he may be rather called an evangelist than a prophet. Though later critics, especially those on the continent have expended much labour and learning in order to rob the prophet of his title; yet no one, whose mind is unprejudiced, can be at a loss in applying select portions of these prophecies to the mission and character of Jesus Christ, and to the events in his history which they are cited to illustrate by the sacred writers of the New Testament. In fact, his prophecies concerning the Messiah seem almost to anticipate the Gospel history; so clearly do they predict his Divine character. (Compare ch. 7:14 with Mat 1:18-23 and Luke 1:27-35 6:1 4:6 34:4 60:5,9,19 62:6-8 61:1 with lu 4:18 62:11 63:1-4) his miracles (35:5,6) his peculiar character and virtues (11:2,3 50:11 63:1-3) his rejection (6:9-12 with Mar. 8:14 6:14,15 53:3) his sufferings for our sins (1:6 53:4-11) his death and burial (53:8,9) his victory over death (25:8 53:10,12) his final glory (49:7,22,33 52,13-15 53 4:5) and the establishment, increase, and perfection of his kingdom (2:2-4 9:2,7 11:4-10 16:5 29 18-24 32:1 40:4,5 42:4 46:13 49:9-13 51:3-6 53:6-10 555:1-3 59:16-21 60:1 61:1-5 65:25) each specifically pointed out, and pourtrayed with the most striking and discriminating characters. It is impossible, indeed, to reflect on these, and on the whole chain of his illustrious prophecies, and not be sensible that they furnish the most incontestable evidence in support of Christianity. The style of Isaiah has been universally admired as the most perfect model of elegance and sublimity; and as distinguished for all the magnificence, and for all the sweetness of the Hebrew language.

1 Isaiah complains of Judah for her rebellion
5 He laments her judgments
10 He upbraids their whole service
16 He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threatenings
21 Bewailing their wickedness, he denounces God's judgments
25 He promises grace
28 And threatens destruction to the wicked

vision Isa 21:2 Nu 12:6 24:4,16 2Ch 32:32 Ps 89:19 Jer 23:16 Na 1:1 Hab 2:2 Mt 17:9 Ac 10:17 26:19 2Co 12:1

saw Isa 2:1 13:1 2Pe 1:21

the days Isa 6:11 2Ch 26:1 27:1 28:1 29:1 30:1 31:1 32:1 Ho 1:1 Am 1:1 Mic 1:1

2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

hear De 4:26 30:19 32:1 Ps 50:4 Jer 2:12 6:19 22:29 Eze 36:4 Mic 1:2 6:1,2

for the Lord Jer 13:15 Am 3:1 Mic 3:8 Ac 4:20

I have Isa 5:1,2 46:3,4 De 1:31 4:7,8 Jer 31:9 Eze 16:6-14 20:5 Ro 3:1,2 9:4,5

they have Isa 63:9,10 De 9:22-24 Jer 2:5-13 Mal 1:6

3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

ox Pr 6:6 Jer 8:7

but Israel Isa 5:12 27:11 44:18 De 32:28,29 Ps 94:8 Jer 4:22 9:3-6 10:8,14 Mt 13:13-15,19 Ro 1:28 2Pe 3:5

4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

ah sinful Isa 1:23 10:6 30:9 Ge 13:13 Mt 11:28 Ac 7:51,52 Re 18:5

laden with iniquity. Heb. of heaviness
a seed Isa 57:3,4 Nu 32:14 Ps 78:8 Jer 7:26 16:11,12 Mt 3:7 23:33

children Jer 2:33 Eze 16:33

forsaken De 29:25 31:16 Jud 10:10 Jer 2:13,17,19

provoked Isa 3:8 65:3 De 32:19 Ps 78:40 Jer 7:19 1Co 10:22

the Holy Isa 5:19,24 12:6 29:19 30:11,12,15 37:23 41:14,16,20 Ps 89:18 Jer 50:29 51:5

gone away backward. Heb. alienated, or separated Ps 58:3 Jer 2:5,31 Ro 8:7 Col 1:24

5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

should Isa 9:13,21 Jer 2:30 5:3 6:28-30 Eze 24:13 Heb 12:5-8

ye will 2Ch 28:22 Jer 9:3 Re 16:8-11

revolt more and more. Heb. increase revolt
the whole Is 1:23 Ne 9:34 Jer 5:5,31 Da 9:8-11 Zep 3:1-4

6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

the sole Job 2:7,8 Lu 16:20,21

bruises 2Ch 6:28,29 Ps 77:2 Jer 6:14 30:12 Na 3:19

they have Job 5:18 Ps 38:3-5 Jer 6:14 8:21,22 33:6 Ho 5:12,13 Mal 4:2 Mt 9:12 Lu 10:34

ointment. or, oil

7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

country Isa 5:5,6,9 6:11 24:10-12 Le 26:34 De 28:51 2Ch 28:5,16-21 Ps 107:34,39 Jer 6:8

burned Isa 9:5 34:9 Jer 2:15

strangers Isa 5:17 De 28:33,43,48-52 La 5:1 Eze 30:12 Ho 7:9 8:7

overthrown by strangers. Heb. the overthrow of strangers

8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

daughter Isa 4:4 10:32 37:22 62:11 Ps 9:14 La 2:1 Zec 2:10 9:9 Joh 12:15

cottage Job 27:18 La 2:6

besieged Isa 8:8 10:32 Jer 4:17 Lu 19:43,44

9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

left La 3:22 Hab 3:2 Ro 9:29

a very Isa 6:13 10:22 17:6 24:13 37:4,31,32 1Ki 19:18 Eze 6:8 14:22 Joe 2:32 Zec 13:8,9 Mt 7:14 Ro 9:27 11:4-6

we should Ge 18:26,32 19:24 De 29:23 La 4:6 Am 4:11 Lu 17:29,30 2Pe 2:6

10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

hear 1Ki 22:19-23 Am 3:1,8 Mic 3:8-12

Sodom Ge 13:13 De 32:32 Jer 9:26 23:14 Eze 16:46 Am 9:7 Re 11:8

11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

what purpose Isa 66:3 1Sa 15:22 Ps 50:8 51:16 Pr 15:8 21:27 Jer 6:20 7:21 Am 5:21 Mic 6:7 Mt 9:13

he goats. Heb. great he-goats

12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

when Isa 58:1,2 Ex 23:17 34:23 De 16:16 Ec 5:1 Mt 23:5

appear. Heb. be seen
required Ps 40:6 Mic 6:8

13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

vain Eze 20:39 Mal 1:10 Mt 15:9 Lu 11:42

incense Isa 66:3 Pr 21:27

the new Le 23:1 Nu 28:1 29:1 De 16:1 La 2:6 Joe 1:14 2:15

it is 1Co 11:17 Php 1:15

iniquity. or, grief Ps 78:40 Eph 4:30

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

my soul Isa 61:8 Am 5:21

I am weary Isa 43:24 Am 2:13 Zec 11:8 Mal 2:17

15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

when Isa 59:2 1Ki 8:22,54 Ezr 9:5 Job 27:8,9,20 Ps 66:18 134:2 Pr 1:28 Jer 14:12 Eze 8:17,18 Mic 3:4 Zec 7:13 Lu 13:25-28 1Ti 2:8

I will Isa 58:7 Ps 55:1

make many prayers. Heb. multiply prayer Mt 6:7 23:14

your hands Isa 59:2,3 Jer 7:8-10 Mic 3:9-11

blood. Heb. bloods

16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

wash Job 11:13,14 Ps 26:6 Jer 4:14 Ac 22:16 2Co 7:1 Jas 4:8 Re 7:14

put away Isa 55:6,7 Eze 18:30,31 Zec 1:3,4 Mt 3:8 Eph 4:22-24 Tit 2:11-14 1Pe 2:1

cease Ps 34:14 37:27 Am 5:15 Ro 12:9 Eph 4:25-29 1Pe 3:11

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

seek Isa 1:23 Ps 82:3,4 Pr 31:9 Jer 22:3,15,16 Da 4:27 Mic 6:8 Zep 2:3 Zec 7:9,10 8:16

relieve. or, righten

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

and let us Isa 41:21 43:24-26 1Sa 12:7 Jer 2:5 Mic 6:2 Ac 17:2 18:4 24:25

though your Isa 44:22 Ps 51:7 Mic 7:18,19 Ro 5:20 Eph 1:6-8 Re 7:14

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Isa 3:10 55:1-3,6,7 Jer 3:12-14 31:18-20 Ho 14:1-4 Joe 2:26 Mt 21:28-32 Heb 5:9

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

if ye refuse Isa 3:11 1Sa 12:25 2Ch 36:14-16 Heb 2:1-3

for the mouth Isa 40:5 58:14 Le 26:33 Nu 23:19 1Sa 15:29 Tit 1:2

21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

the faithful Isa 48:2 Ne 11:1 Ps 46:4 48:1,8 Ho 11:12 Zec 8:3 Heb 12:22

become Jer 2:20,21 3:1 La 1:8,9 Eze 16:1 22:1 23:1 Lu 13:34 Re 11:2,8

it was full Isa 5:7 2Sa 8:15 2Ch 19:9 Eze 22:3-7 Mic 3:2,3 Zep 3:1-3 Ac 7:52

22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

silver Jer 6:28-30 La 4:1,2 Eze 22:18-22 Ho 6:4

wine Ho 4:18 2Co 2:17

23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

princes Isa 3:14 2Ch 24:17-21 36:14 Jer 5:5 Eze 22:6-12 Da 9:5,6 Ho 7:3-5 9:15 Mic 3:1-3,11 Ac 4:5-11

companions Pr 29:24 Mt 21:13 Mr 11:27 Lu 19:46

every Isa 33:15 Ex 23:8 De 16:19 Pr 17:23 Jer 22:17 Eze 22:12 Ho 4:18 Mic 7:3

they judge Isa 10:1,2 Jer 5:28,29 Zec 7:10 Mal 3:5 Lu 18:2-5

24 Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

the mighty Isa 30:29 49:26 60:16 Jer 50:34 Re 18:8

Ah De 28:63 32:43 Pr 1:25,26 Eze 5:13 16:42 21:17 Heb 10:13

25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

and I Zec 13:7-9 Re 3:19

purely. Heb. according to pureness
purge Isa 1:22 4:4 6:11-13 Jer 6:29 9:7 Eze 20:38 Zep 3:11 Mal 3:3 Mt 3:12

26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

and I will Isa 32:1,2 60:17,18 Nu 12:3 16:15 1Sa 12:2-5 Jer 33:7,15-17 Eze 34:23,24 37:24,25 45:8

thou shalt Isa 1:21 60:21 62:1 Jer 31:23 Zep 3:9,13 Zec 8:8 Re 21:27

27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

redeemed Isa 5:16 45:21-25 Ro 3:24-26 11:26,27 2Co 5:21 Eph 1:7,8 Tit 2:14 1Pe 1:18,19

her converts. or, they that return of her 1Co 1:30

28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

the destruction. Heb. the breaking Job 31:3 Ps 1:6 5:6 37:38 73:27 92:9 104:35 125:5 Pr 29:1 Lu 12:45,46 1Th 5:3 2Th 1:8,9 2Pe 3:7 Re 21:8

they that Isa 30:13 50:11 65:11 1Sa 12:25 1Ki 9:6-9 1Ch 28:9 Zep 1:4-6

29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

ashamed Isa 30:22 31:7 45:16 Eze 16:63 36:31 Ho 14:3,8 Ro 6:21

the oaks Isa 57:5 Eze 6:13 Ho 4:13

the gardens Isa 65:3 66:17 Jer 2:20 3:6

30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

ye shall be Isa 5:6 Jer 17:5,6 Eze 17:9,10,24 Mt 21:19

garden Isa 58:11 Jer 31:12 Eze 31:4

31 And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

the strong Eze 32:21

as tow Isa 27:4 43:17 50:11 Jud 15:14 Re 6:14-17

the maker of it. or, his work
and they Isa 34:9,10 66:24 Eze 20:47,48 Mal 4:1 Mt 3:10 Mr 9:43-49 Re 14:10,11 19:20 20:10