Introduction to Yeshayahu

We are transitioning from the study of Nevi’im Rishonim, which are relatively straightforward to read and understand, to more challenging books. We recommend the following:

1. Allow yourself to use modern commentaries to ease your study—such as Daat Mikra, Steinsaltz, or others.

2. The Steinsaltz commentary is available online: https://edu.929.org.il/%D7%AA%D7%A0%D7%9A-%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%90/.

3. Mikraot Gedolot commentaries are available on the Al HaTorah website: https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Yeshayahu/.

4. Sometimes you may understand a chapter on its own but struggle to grasp its context or broader framework. We will try to address this in our daily messages, but also pay attention during your personal study: part of the learning process is recognizing where a prophetic unit begins and ends (sometimes chapter divisions can be misleading), understanding the relationship between a specific section and the sections before or after it, and so forth.

5. The language of the Nevi’im Achronim is poetic. Unlike the prose style we’ve encountered so far (which tells a story in a straightforward manner), prophecy is written in an elevated language, using wordplay, parallelisms, and relying on listeners to understand the context and share a common set of imagery and references. Just study—over time, you’ll acquire the language, and the learning will become easier.

A few words regarding the structure of Sefer Yeshayahu: As stated in the first verses of the book, Sefer Yeshayahu deals with the reigns of the kings Uziyahu, Yotam, Ahaz, and Hizkiyahu. In practice, the book likely begins after or near the end of Uziyahu’s reign and may extend into the period of Menashe (the later parts of the book).

Here is a general mapping of the book's structure — though it is not necessarily precise or binding:

1. Chapter 1 – Deals with moral sins (likely from the time of Hizkiyahu).

2. Chapters 2–6 – Discusses the Day of the Lord and the issue of arrogance (likely from the time of Uziyahu–Yotam).

3. Chapters 7–12 – Discusses the reign of Ahaz and his conflict with Retzin and Pekah; references to Assyria’s rise and fall; and prophecies of the end of days.

4. Chapters 13–23 – A collection of prophecies concerning the nations.

5. Chapters 24–27 – “Apocalyptic” prophecies: descriptions of the Day of the Lord, including calamity and salvation for the entire world.

6. Chapters 28–35 – Another collection of prophecies, mainly concerning Yehuda. Extensive focus on the sin of reliance on Egypt (likely from Hizkiyahu’s period).

7. Chapters 36–39 – Prose chapters (narrative) about King Hizkiyahu (almost word-for-word parallels to sections in the Book of Melakhim).

8. Chapters 40–66 – Prophecies of consolation and salvation, with a somewhat different style than the rest of the book. These chapters have sparked discussions about the “Second Yeshayahu”— a topic we will address in due course.