Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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ISAIAH
Author of the longest prophetic book in the Old Testament, he was the son of Amoz, born about 760 B.C. in Jerusalem. His writing paralleled the reigns of three Judaean kings, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. His mission was to proclaim the fall of Israel and Judah and the punishment that would befall the nation because of its sinfulness. The beauty of his style and the consistent nobility of his message made him one of the most revered of biblical writers. Constantly he pleaded with his people to place their trust in God and not in military achievements. No other prophet foreshadowed as convincingly the coming of the Messiah, who would be a descendant of David. Biblical students point out numerous incidents in Jesus' life which were foreshadowed in Isaiah's prophetic lines (Isaiah 2:1-5, 7:10-17, 9:1-6, 11:1-5).
