What are the two divisions of the Book of Isaiah?

Answer

According to some scholars and Biblical critics, the Book of Isaiah was a composite work by unknown authors now known as I Isaiah and II Isaiah, whose lives and experiences were separated by many decades.

Isaiah 1:1 introduces the book as the work of Isaiah, son of Amoz, who lived in the reigns of the Judahite kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Because there were two authors of the book, this Isaiah is generally referred to as I Isaiah or First Isaiah.

The Book of Isaiah omits the 150 year period from Hezekiah to the fall of Jerusalem and recommences with the Babylonian Exile. The anonymous author of this work is generally referred to as Second Isaiah.

Answer

All the Book of Isaiah was written by the same Isaiah, and there is a natural division between the pre-Millennial chapters 1 - 39 and the Millennial chapters 40 - 66. While it is true that the writing style of the first 39 chapters is different from the remainder of the book, so what? That depends on the content, and is also seen in poetry, novels, newspapers, and even some textbooks: it is normal.

First answer by Dick Harfield. Last edit by David Eaglehawk. Contributor trust: 109 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 16 [recommend question]