The first of John N. Oswalt's two-part study of the book of Isaiah for the NICOT series, this commentary on chapters 1û39 combines theological acumen, literary sensitivity, philological expertise, and historical knowledge to present a faithful and accurate reading of one of the Old Testament's most important books.
In the introduction to this work, Oswalt considers Isaiah's background, unity of composition, date and authorship, canonicity, Hebrew text, theology, and problems of interpretation, and he offers a select bibliography for further research. Oswalt also provides substantial discussions of several issues crucial to the book of Isaiah. He notes, for example, that scholars often divide Isaiah into three divisions, with chapters 1–39 addressing Isaiah's contemporaries in the eighth century B.C., chapters 40–55 presupposing the exile of the sixth century, and chapters 56–66 presupposing the eventual return from exile. While taking this scholarship into account Oswalt defends the unity of the prophetic book and argues convincingly that the whole book can be attributed to the Isaiah of the eighth century.
The commentary proper, based on Oswalt's own translation of the Hebrew text, provides pastors, scholars, and students with a lucid interpretation of the book of Isaiah in its ancient context as well as an exposition of its message for today.
Fall '25 Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament. You will need either this or The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary.
Spring '24 Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament. You will need either this or The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary.
This scholarly commentary on Isaiah 1-12 begins with an introduction that discusses the literary structure and message. For each passage it provides an original translation, textual notes that analyze lexical and grammatical issues in the Hebrew text and ancient versions, followed by historical and theological commentary. Each section explains how the passage relates to the rest of Isaiah 1-66 and concludes with theological reflections on the interconnections within Scripture as a whole. The author interacts with the full range of biblical scholarship. The prophet Isaiah was inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak the Word of God, relevant for the people of God throughout the centuries for contemporary reflection and application. Isaiah 1-12 focuses on Immanuel, "God with us," the Word now become flesh in Jesus Christ.
Fall ’25 Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Isaiah, it has been said, is the Old Testament evangelist par-excellence. While every book in the Old Testament points to Christ as the fulfilment in the New Testament, few do so as overtly or as insistently at the book of Isaiah. The text became a framework for Christology, ecclesiology, and missiology in the early church, and along with the Psalms it remains most quoted scripture in the New Testament.
In this volume on chapters 40-55, Dr. Lessing’s scholarly expertise and decades of service as a seminary professor and pastor are evident as he meticulously expounds the text, historical setting, theology, Christology, and pastoral applications of the 40-55th chapters of “the fifth Gospel.” Using a faithful, Christo-centric hermeneutic, he focuses on the Isaiah’s visions of “shalom” and Israel’s peaceful homecoming from the Babylonian exile and explains why the prophet’s saving message, soaring language, and unforgettable imagery are so tightly woven into the fabric of Christian hymnody, liturgy, and prayer. He also features the four “servant songs,” espousing the traditional interpretation that they sing of Christ and addressing alternatives that have emerged in recent academia.
Essays
The Literary, Historical, and Canonical Context of Isaiah
A History of Studies on Isaiah
The Servant Songs in Isaiah
Fall '25 Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Spring '24 Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Spring '22
Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
This new isagogics textbook examines and explores each book of the Old Testament, preparing students of the Bible to read Israel’s texts with understanding and insight. It helps answer questions such as “What is helpful and what is detrimental to evangelical faith?” and “How do conservative scholars respond to critical views of the Old Testament?” The book interacts with scholars in a respectful way while providing evangelical assessments that foster historical and theological confidence in the Old Testament.
Fall '25 Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Spring '24 Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Spring '23 Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Spring '22 Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Spring '21 Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Spring '20 Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Spring '19 Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
Lessing and Steinmann’s Prepare the Way of the LORD is the best recent graduate-level survey of the entire Old Testament from a Lutheran perspective. Each chapter deals concisely with the literature, history, and theology of an Old Testament book. The theology sections are especially noteworthy for their inclusion of topics emphasized in Lutheran theology, namely, “Christ in ” and “Sin and grace in .” —Pr. Brent Olson
Among Old Testament prophetic books no other equals Isaiah's brilliance of style and metaphor, its arresting vision of the Holy One of Israel and its kaleidoscopic vision of God's future restoration of Israel and the world. Now, after over three decades of studying and teaching Isaiah, Alec Motyer presents a wealth of commentary and perspective on this book. His emphasis is on the grammatical, historical, structural, literary and theological dimensions of the text. Though based on the Hebrew text, his exposition easily accomodates readers without a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew. And he writes with an interest in Isaiah's meaning for Christians today. Along the historical timeline on which the Isaianic prophecies are strung, Motyer finds three central and recurring themes: the messianic hope, the motif of the city and the theology of the Holy One of Israel. Moreover, he argues, the Isaianic literature is organized around three messianic portraits: the King (Isaiah 1-37), the Servant (Isaiah 38-55) and the Anointed Conqueror (Isaiah 56-66). Preachers, teachers and serious Bible students of all types will find this commentary a wise, winsome and welcome guide to the prophecy of Isaiah. It may easily be the best one-volume evangelical commentary on Isaiah available today.
Fall '25 Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament. You will need either this or The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 1-39.
Spring '24 Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament. You will need either this or The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 1-39.
Spring '22
Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.
