I. Prophetic and Divine Communication Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Prophet (Hebrew: navi) (e.g., Isaiah 3:2 [ESV uses "diviner" here, but prophet is related]; 8:3; 28:7; 29:10; 37:2; 38:1; 39:3): An individual called and inspired by God to speak His messages to the people, often involving foretelling future events (prediction), but more centrally, proclaiming God's will, calling for repentance, announcing judgment for sin, and offering hope and comfort based on God's covenant faithfulness. Isaiah himself is a preeminent example.;xNLx;Seer (Hebrew: ro'eh or chozeh) (e.g., Isaiah 28:15 [ESV: "covenant with death...pact with Sheol"]; 29:10; 30:10; 47:13 [astrologers, stargazers]): One who receives divine revelations, often through visions. The terms are closely related to "prophet." Isaiah 29:10 speaks of the LORD pouring out a spirit of deep sleep, closing the eyes of the prophets and covering the heads of the seers.;xNLx;Vision (e.g., Isaiah 1:1; 2:1; 6:1; 13:1; 21:2; 22:1, 5; 28:7; 29:7, 11; 30:10): A supernatural revelation or inspired message received from God, often involving symbolic imagery or foresight into future events, which the prophet then communicates. The book begins, "The vision of Isaiah...";xNLx;Oracle / Burden (Hebrew: massa) (e.g., Titles for chapters 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 (twice), 22, 23, 30:6): A prophetic utterance, often a pronouncement of judgment or doom against a particular nation or people. The Hebrew term massa can mean "load" or "burden," implying the heavy weight of the message.;xNLx;Word of the LORD (Frequently throughout Isaiah, e.g., Isaiah 1:10; 2:3; 9:8; 28:13-14; 37:21-22; 38:4-5; 39:5, 8; 40:8; 55:10-11; 66:5): A divine message, command, promise, or revelation given by God and delivered through His prophets. It is portrayed as powerful and effective.;xNLx;Thus says the LORD (A common introductory formula for prophetic speech, e.g., Isaiah 1:11, 18; 7:7; 10:24; 22:15; 29:22; 37:6, 21, 33; 38:1, 5; 43:1, 14, 16; 44:2, 6, 24; 45:1, 11, 14, 18; 48:17; 49:7-8, 22, 25; 50:1; 52:3-4; 56:1, 4; 65:8; 66:1, 12): Indicates that the message following is a direct communication from God through the prophet.;xNLx;II. Theological Concepts:;xNLx;;xNLx;Holy One of Israel (e.g., Isaiah 1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:17, 20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19, 23; 30:11-12, 15; 31:1; 37:23; 40:25 [holy one]; 41:14, 16, 20; 43:3, 14-15; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7; 54:5; 55:5; 60:9, 14): A distinctive and frequently used title for God in Isaiah, emphasizing His absolute holiness (moral perfection, separateness from sin and creation) and His special covenant relationship with Israel.;xNLx;Glory (of the LORD) (Hebrew: kavod) (e.g., Isaiah 3:8; 6:1, 3; 10:16, 18; 11:10; 17:3-4; 21:16; 22:18, 23-24; 24:15-16, 23; 35:2; 40:5; 42:8, 12; 43:7; 44:13, 23; 48:11; 58:8; 59:19; 60:1-2, 13, 19; 62:2; 66:18-19): God's manifest weight, honor, majesty, splendor, radiance, and awesome presence. Isaiah's vision in chapter 6 is a powerful depiction of God's glory filling the Temple.;xNLx;Righteousness (Hebrew: tsedeq or tsedaqah) (e.g., Isaiah 1:21, 26-27; 5:7, 16, 23; 9:7; 10:22; 11:4-5; 16:5; 26:2, 7, 9-10; 28:17; 32:1, 16-17; 33:5, 15; 41:2, 10; 42:6, 21; 45:8, 13, 19, 23-24; 46:12-13; 48:1, 18; 51:1, 5-8; 54:14, 17; 56:1; 57:12; 58:2, 8; 59:4, 9, 14, 16-17; 60:17, 21; 61:3, 10-11; 62:1-2; 63:1; 64:5-6): God's moral perfection, justice, faithfulness to His covenant and promises, and His saving actions. For humans, it means ethical conduct, justice, and conformity to God's will. It is a key theme in Isaiah's vision of future restoration.;xNLx;Justice (Hebrew: mishpat) (e.g., Isaiah 1:17, 21, 27; 2:4; 3:14; 4:4; 5:7, 16; 9:7; 10:1-2; 11:3-4; 16:5; 26:8-9; 28:6, 17, 26; 30:18; 32:1, 7, 16; 33:5; 34:5; 40:14, 27; 41:1; 42:1, 3-4; 49:4; 51:4-5; 53:8; 54:17; 56:1; 58:2; 59:4, 8-9, 11, 14-15; 61:8): Fairness, equity, God's right and orderly governance, His acts of judgment against oppression and wickedness, and the establishment of right relationships. Social justice for the poor and vulnerable is a major concern for Isaiah.;xNLx;Salvation / Save / Savior (Hebrew: yeshuah, yasha) (e.g., Isaiah 12:2-3; 17:10; 19:20; 25:9; 26:1, 18; 30:15; 33:2, 6, 22; 35:4; 37:20, 35; 38:20; 43:3, 11-12; 45:8, 15, 17, 20-22; 46:7, 13; 47:13, 15; 49:6, 8, 25-26; 51:5-6, 8; 52:7, 10, 15; 56:1; 59:1, 11, 16-17; 60:16, 18; 61:10; 62:1, 11; 63:1, 5, 8-9; 64:5): Deliverance from oppression, enemies, danger, sin, and judgment, brought about by God's power and grace. Isaiah speaks of God as the ultimate Savior.;xNLx;Redeem / Redeemer (Hebrew: ga'al) (e.g., Isaiah 29:22; 35:9; 41:14; 43:1, 14; 44:6, 22-24; 47:4; 48:17, 20; 49:7, 26; 50:2; 51:10-11; 52:3, 9; 54:5, 8; 59:20; 60:16; 62:12; 63:4, 9, 16): To buy back, set free, rescue, or deliver, often from bondage, exile, or oppression. God is frequently portrayed as Israel's Redeemer, especially in the context of the return from Babylon.;xNLx;Covenant (Hebrew: berit) (e.g., Isaiah 1:10-17 [implied violation]; 24:5; 28:15, 18; 33:8; 42:6; 49:8; 54:10; 55:3; 56:4, 6; 59:21; 61:8): The solemn, binding agreement between God and His people. Isaiah speaks of the existing covenant being broken, but also of a future, everlasting covenant of peace and restoration, and the Servant as a "covenant for the people.";xNLx;Remnant (e.g., Isaiah 1:9; 4:2-3; 6:13; 7:3 [Shear-jashub, "a remnant shall return"]; 10:20-22; 11:11, 16; 14:22, 30; 15:9; 16:14; 17:3, 6; 21:17; 28:5; 37:4, 31-32; 46:3; 65:8-9): A recurring theme signifying that even in times of widespread judgment and destruction, God will preserve a faithful portion of His people through whom He will continue His purposes.;xNLx;Zion / Mount Zion (e.g., Isaiah 1:8, 27; 2:3; 4:3-5; 8:18; 10:12, 24, 32; 12:6; 14:32; 16:1; 18:7; 24:23; 27:13; 28:16; 29:8; 30:19; 31:4, 9; 33:5, 14, 20; 34:8; 35:10; 37:22, 32; 40:9; 41:27; 46:13; 49:14; 51:3, 11, 16; 52:1-2, 7-8; 59:20; 60:14; 61:3; 62:1, 11; 64:10; 66:8, 20): The hill in Jerusalem where the city of David and the Temple were located. In Isaiah, Zion is often a symbol for Jerusalem, the people of God, the place of God's special dwelling and future glorious restoration, and the center from which His salvation and law will go forth.;xNLx;Idol / Image (Graven image, molten image) (e.g., Isaiah 2:8, 18, 20; 10:10-11; 17:8; 19:1, 3; 21:9; 27:9; 30:22; 31:7; 37:19; 40:18-20; 41:6-7, 29; 42:8, 17; 44:9-20; 45:16, 20; 46:1-2, 6-7; 48:5; 57:5-6, 13; 66:3): Physical representations of false gods or objects of worship other than Yahweh. Isaiah powerfully satirizes the folly and impotence of idolatry, contrasting idols with the living, sovereign God.;xNLx;High Places (Hebrew: bamot) (e.g., Isaiah 3:4 [ESV "childish rulers"]; 15:2; 16:12; 36:7; 57:7; 58:14 [figurative "heights of the earth"]; 65:7): Localized shrines, often on hilltops, frequently associated with idolatrous or syncretistic worship. Righteous kings often sought to remove them.;xNLx;Day of the LORD (e.g., Isaiah 2:12; 13:6, 9; 34:8; 58:13 ["LORD's holy day"]; 61:2; 63:4): A future time of God's decisive intervention in history for judgment of the wicked and salvation of the righteous. It is often depicted with cosmic upheaval and dramatic displays of God's power.;xNLx;Servant (of the LORD) (e.g., Isaiah 20:3 [Isaiah as servant]; 22:20 [Eliakim]; 37:5 [Hezekiah's servants]; 41:8-9; 42:1-9, 19; 43:10; 44:1-2, 21, 26; 45:4; 48:20; 49:1-7; 50:10; 52:13–53:12; 54:17): This term is used in several ways:;xNLx;For individuals like Isaiah, Eliakim, or David.;xNLx;For the nation of Israel as a whole, chosen for God's purposes.;xNLx;Most significantly, in the "Servant Songs" (esp. Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 52:13-53:12), it refers to a unique individual chosen by God who suffers vicariously to bring salvation and justice, often identified in Christian theology with Jesus Christ.;xNLx;Messiah / Anointed One (Hebrew: mashiach) (While the term mashiach itself is not as frequent as in Psalms, the concept of a future ideal Davidic king endowed with God's Spirit is prominent, e.g., Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10; 32:1; implied in promises to David's line. Cyrus is also called God's "anointed" in Isaiah 45:1, as an instrument for God's purpose): "Anointed one." Isaiah's prophecies about a future righteous ruler from David's line, who will establish justice and peace, are foundational to messianic expectation.;xNLx;Shoot / Branch / Root (from Jesse/David) (Isaiah 4:2; 6:13 ["stump...holy seed"]; 11:1, 10; 53:2): Metaphorical terms referring to the promised future Davidic king (Messiah) who will emerge from the lineage of Jesse (David's father), bringing restoration and righteous rule, even after the dynasty seems cut down.;xNLx;Highway (e.g., Isaiah 7:3; 11:16; 19:23; 33:8; 35:8; 36:2; 40:3; 49:11; 57:14; 62:10): A prepared road, often used literally but also metaphorically in Isaiah for the return of exiles, for God preparing a way for His people, or for a path of holiness.;xNLx;III. Historical and Geographical Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Assyria / Assyrian (e.g., Isaiah 7:17-20; 8:4, 7; Chapter 10; 14:25; 19:23-25; Chapters 30-31; Chapters 36-37): A powerful Mesopotamian empire that was a major threat to Israel and Judah during Isaiah's early ministry, eventually destroying the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and besieging Jerusalem under Sennacherib.;xNLx;Babylon / Chaldeans (e.g., Isaiah 13:1, 19; 14:4, 22; 21:1-10; Chapters 39; 43:14; 47:1; 48:14, 20): Another Mesopotamian empire that later rose to dominance, conquering Judah, destroying Jerusalem and the Temple, and taking the people into exile. Isaiah prophesies both its rise and its eventual fall.;xNLx;Egypt (e.g., Isaiah 7:18; 11:11, 15-16; Chapter 19; 20:1-6; 27:13; 30:1-7; 31:1-3; 36:6, 9; 43:3; 45:14; 52:4): A major ancient power, often seen as a potential but unreliable ally for Israel and Judah against Mesopotamian threats. Isaiah frequently warns against relying on Egypt.;xNLx;Cush / Ethiopia (e.g., Isaiah 11:11; 18:1; 20:3-5; 37:9; 43:3; 45:14): An ancient kingdom south of Egypt in Africa, sometimes interacting with or influencing events in the Levant.;xNLx;Ephraim / Samaria (Often used interchangeably for the Northern Kingdom of Israel) (e.g., Isaiah 7:2, 5, 8-9, 17; 8:4; 9:9, 21; 11:13; 17:3; 28:1, 3): Ephraim was the leading tribe of the northern kingdom, and Samaria was its capital city. Isaiah often prophesies against Ephraim's pride and impending judgment.;xNLx;Judah / Jerusalem (Throughout Isaiah, as the primary audience of Isaiah's Judah-based ministry): The southern kingdom and its capital city, the focus of God's covenant promises through David and the site of the Temple.;xNLx;Nations / Gentiles (Hebrew: goyim) (Frequently throughout Isaiah, e.g., Isaiah 2:2-4; 5:26; 9:1; 11:10, 12; 13:4; 14:6, 12, 26; 16:8; 18:2, 7; 25:3, 7; 30:28; 33:3, 12; 34:1-2; 36:18; 37:12, 18; 40:15, 17; 41:1-2, 5, 11, 15; 42:1, 6; 43:4, 9; 45:1, 14, 20, 22; 49:1, 6-8, 22; 52:10, 15; 54:3; 55:5; 56:3, 6-7; 60:2-3, 5, 10-12, 16; 61:5-6, 9, 11; 62:2, 10; 64:2; 66:8, 12, 18-20): Non-Israelite peoples. Isaiah speaks of judgment upon hostile nations but also of a future time when the nations will stream to Zion to learn God's ways and when God's salvation will reach the ends of the earth.;xNLx;Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1): The Persian king whom God "anointed" and raised up to conquer Babylon and issue the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple. His mention by name long before his time is a remarkable feature of Isaiah's prophecy.;xNLx;IV. Figurative and Poetic Language:;xNLx;;xNLx;Threshing / Threshing Sledge (e.g., Isaiah 21:10; 28:27-28; 41:15): Agricultural processes used to separate grain from stalks, often used metaphorically for judgment or oppression.;xNLx;Winepress (Isaiah 5:2; 63:2-3): Used in wine-making, and metaphorically in Isaiah 63 for God's fierce judgment upon His enemies, treading them like grapes.;xNLx;Banner / Standard / Ensign (Hebrew: nes) (e.g., Isaiah 5:26; 11:10, 12; 13:2; 18:3; 30:17; 31:9; 49:22; 62:10): A signal flag or pole raised on a high place to rally people, especially for battle or as a sign for the nations to gather to God's salvation.;xNLx;Wilderness / Desert (e.g., Isaiah 13:20-21; 14:17; 21:1; 27:10; 32:15-16; 33:9; 35:1, 6; 40:3; 41:18-19; 42:11; 43:19-20; 48:21; 50:2; 51:3; 63:13; 64:10): Often a symbol of desolation, judgment, or a place of testing, but also a place where God can bring about miraculous transformation and prepare a way for His people (e.g., "a voice cries in the wilderness").;xNLx;This list provides a starting point for understanding some of the crucial vocabulary in the Book of Isaiah (ESV). Its rich theological depth, poetic artistry, and historical scope make careful attention to language essential for a full appreciation of its message.