This volume presents to the English-speaking student one of the distinguished commentaries in the noted German series, Das Alte Testament Deutsch. The first twelve chapters of Isaiah contain some of the most important material of the prophet and form a natural unit in themselves. Here is the account of the prophet's call and his activity in the Syro-Ephraimitic war of 735, together with a number of early oracles. A verse-by-verse commentary is provided.
"The name of the prophet can be translated as 'Yahweh is salvation.' Looking back upon it, it is as though it were a summary of everything which Isaiah said to his people." Nothing is known of his origins except the name of his father Amoz (not to be confused with the prophet Amos). It is perhaps most accurate to speak of Isaiah as a free citizen with a farm, possessing full rights. The lack of biographical detail indicates that the importance of the prophet lies not in his human situation and standing, but in his task. What is important is the fact that God desired and still desires to speak through his words.
Details of the Syro-Ephraimitic war follow. This war resulted in the fall of Israel except for Judah and Jerusalem. The judgment of Isaiah on the fate of his own people was: "If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established."
"But the answer to the question whether his whole preaching consisted of provincial prejudice expressed in the concepts of traditional belief, and of blindness towards the realities of the political situation, or whether it was ultimate truth, cannot be decided by a detached consideration, but only by the personal decision of whoever reads his words. Anyone who is touched by the saving will of the God who loves righteousness, as interpreted in prophecy, can find in his statements, meant for an earlier age and an earlier kingdom, authoritative counsel and the word of God for himself."