The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary

by J. Alec Motyer

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.

Genres: Theology, Old Testament, Reference, Biblical Studies, Christian, Religion, Christianity

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

J. Alec Motyer (M.A., B.D., D.D.) was formerly principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England. He has extensive experience in parish ministry and is well known as a Bible expositor. He is author of The Prophecy of Isaiah, and he is Old Testament editor of IVP's commentary series, The Bible Speaks Today. He has written several volumes in that series.

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motyer’s masterwork! This is a more technical expansion of his lay-level volume on Isaiah in the TOTC series. At times, I wished for a more up-to-date layout (perhaps like the ZECOT series), for printed Hebrew rather than transliterations, and for the inclusion of Motyer’s own (or any) translation of the text (you should read this along with a copy of the NIV or RSV open in your lap; Motyer interacts with both regularly). But despite these weaknesses in format, the commentary is so well-written it can be read straight through devotionally. Motyer provides careful linguistic and poetic analysis as well as clear outlines that would translate easily for preaching/teaching. But his focus is on giving an apologetic for Isaiah’s unity and pre-exilic date, and on expounding its rich inter-textual connections and theology. Motyer clearly knows Isaiah’s place in its canonical context, but he ever has his eye on Christology and the book’s significance for the Christian church. Highly recommended.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaiah has been my favorite book of the Bible since high school. As Motyer himself says on the final page of this commentary, "There is a grandeur about Isaiah not found elsewhere even in the most majestic of the rest of Scripture, a majesty full of glory and of solemnity, plain alike in the revelation vouchsafed to him and the language in which he was inspired to express it" (544). Motyer genuinely enjoys Isaiah, and I found him an expert and companionable guide to this beloved book.

Motyer is stellar in his interaction with other scholars, his expansive knowledge of ancient Hebrew, his finger on the pulse of the Old Testament, and his obvious love for the Lord, which sometimes causes him to stop and marvel. He convinced me that Isaiah was written by one author, not two, in part by showing the book's unity of vocabulary, form, and theme, but also by faithfully representing the arguments of those who argue for Deutero-Isaiah and even using the parts of their exposition throughout his commentary.

Reading this commentary, I gained a greater desire and ability to trust God in the midst of challenging times (a timely theme, no?). I also gained a better understanding not just of Isaiah but also of the rich landscape of the entire Old Testament. Motyer adroitly deepened how I read the significance of vineyards, clothes, names, and the Sabbath, among others.

Finally, I know some reviewers commented that Motyer is great for a grasp of the different sections but gets lost in the weeds of explicating the verb forms, Hebrew spelling, and idioms in each verse. I can see that critique; however, I found some of the best gems in among those "weeds," so though it did add to the reading time, for me it was not a problem.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goal is to read the top rated commentaries on all of the OT prophets in the next couple of years. I started with Isaiah and Motyer's work was listed as one of the best. Thorough and detailed, a fine balance between technical and pastoral, this exposition of Isaiah was a joy to read. I would recommend this work.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a blow by blow commentary of Isaiah. Not sure why I picked it to read when I decided I wanted one. I pushed through it but wow it is really ideological and skips anything that doesn’t fit with the ideology of God’s wrath.

[Peter Krol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful in many ways, yet quite unhelpful in a few others. Strengths: Structure, train of thought, big picture, surprising brevity. Weaknesses: Losing the big picture in all the weeds. I found it most helpful to read only the section introductions to understand the content and argument of the passage. The verse-by-verse comments helped mostly when I had particular questions.

But I am very glad to have read this. Motyer is largely responsible for the fact that, for the first time in my life, I feel like I have a grasp on the structure and message of Isaiah. I don't feel completely lost in this book anymore, as though in swampy quicksand with no way out of the endless poetry.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic and important

Motyer has written the formidable commentary on Isaiah. It is rich and what you will keep coming back to in study and research.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Comprehensive and faithful to the author. This opened my eyes to how theologically rich the book of Isaiah is. Pick up and read.

[James Heard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read/skimmed as an aid to a chapter-per-day devotional reading of Isaiah. Very helpful for understanding the difficult parts, though I think I would have been better served by Motyer’s Isaiah By The Day for my purposes.

Very excited to have this as a resource for closer study of Isaiah for preaching and teaching purposes. He excellently interacts with scholarship while remaining focused on the text and it’s application on both the original and modern audiences.

[Kirra Antrobus · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great commentary but definitely takes some commitment to get through it. Between this book and the class I took, I learned more about the book of Isaiah than I ever thought possible.

[Jennifer O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously a staggering and comprehensive work on Isaiah. Motyer's attention to detail (the usage and meaning of the Hebrew) may be overwhelming for some more casual readers. But his insights are invaluable!!! It was a great journey through Isaiah with this commentary.

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been meaning, for sometime, to read this commentary as I had heard good things, and had read some of the shorter writings from this author - and I am pleased to have finally met this goal, as this is a fine commentary on Isaiah.

I particularly appreciated the strong argument that the author gives for a “single Isaiah” - rather than 2 or 3 prophets. Whilst he doesn’t deny editing, he does make a strong case for the traditional view, and shows quite effectively how this affects the interpretation of those passages that modern commentators assign to exilic and post-exilic authors.

I especially appreciated the author’s dealing with the Servant Songs, and felt that he was faithful to the prophet as well as Christian understanding.

Now I wouldn’t say that this is an easy read but one that is worthwhile - and definitely a recommended reference for anyone serious about their Old Testament studies.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great deep, thick commentary. I loved the way the author lays out each passage in his own version of an outline. He really traces the arguments used by Isaiah in a easily accessible way, this is not to say that this commentary was easy or light. It wasn't but it was also not a super technical Hebrew scholar commentary either. I really enjoyed reading this along side my Bible to have a better understanding of this important book of the Bible. Highly recommend

[Donald Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commentary is evangelical and thorough. I originally read it in 2009 but regularly re-read portions when I teach Isaiah. Motyer detects chiastic passages throughout this commentary and makes sense of the whole of Isaiah while rejecting multiple Isaiahs. Many pearls of wisdom here without being a dry book.

[Gordon Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent commentary with a great deal of insight into the text. Very useful for preaching particular passages but its introduction is weak. His grand structure for the book as a whole, I found unconvincing. Oswalt was much more helpful in getting to grips with the book as a whole and the grand themes of Isaiah.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible commentary on Isaiah by a master exegete of the book. Though it will take time and patience to read through it (I've been working through it slowly for years), the payoff is worth it without question. By following Motyer, the reader will become immersed in the book and its message and will discover a depth and power to it that is easily missed upon a casual, superficial reading.

[Kevin Driskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without equal on Isaiah. This commentary is the pinnacle of study and insight on this treasure of a book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

This is a really good commentary, but a little too technical at times for the average student. Barry Webb's commentary in the Bible Speaks Today series is probably a better choice unless you're a seminary student or pastor.

Mr. Motyer has clearly read the secondary literature on Isaiah and responds where he feels that he needs to, unlike many commentary writers, he keeps this to a minimum so his commentary doesn't get bogged down arguing with other commentary writers.

This is more of a technical commentary, so some parts of it are a bit of a slog unless you're really into diving deep, yet Mr. Motyer also manages to be pastoral and helpful in his commentary. This is what makes it so good. In his commentary at Isaiah 53.4 "Surely our griefs He himself bore," he writes: "While he thus deals with our moral and spiritual needs and our broken personhood we are not even mentioned except as contributors of the sin which caused his pain."

At Isaiah 66.24 he writes: "The first truth to be set at a discount by the tempter was the doctrine of the wrath of God expressing itself in the sentence of death, but in the end how wrong that voice is proved to be as the two irresistible and inescapable forces of destruction coincide: the working of corruption and the working of wrath."

His commentary is filled with juicy insights like this, so it's really good, but also technical.

[Elizabeth Suli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked my way through this with the ESV and NLT bibles as a devotional book, making notations in my bible. I did not realise that Isaiah is the gospel. This is a great commentary, recommended to me. Motyer gets into the meat and context of the verses not getting sidetracked with too much personal opinion or scholarly criticism. He does address the opinions of other scholars briefly especially in regards to authorship, arguing for one author clearly. My aim was to get to know who God is in Isaiah and to overcome wrong understandings I have of who he is. Many times I stood amazed at God and how the message of who He is is consistent across the whole bible. I have personally grown in my understanding and am glad Motyer shares his years of experience and study of Isaiah with us.

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent commentary that gets better as you keep reading, and is probably the most preacher friendly commentary on Isaiah.
Motyer is conservative and defends the unity and authorship of Isaiah and does so nobly and convincingly.
This work has been so highly reviewed that I felt a little bad that I didn’t like some of earlier sections, but as I kept reading and using this work, it showed itself to be excellent.

[Logan Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a thorough and well written commentary of the book of Isaiah. I learned so much from this book and it really helped make sense of the piecemeal structure of Isaiah. It brought a lot of beauty and intentionality into the letter. This was perfect for a first deep study of Isaiah. I think next time I want to study, I’d want a slightly more pastoral bent to the commentary.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motyer expertly navigates the exegetical complexities of the book of Isaiah. His keen attention to grammatical and structural detail is matched by erudite devotional insights. If one could only have one commentary on Isaiah this volume would be a fine choice.

[Carlos Amaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

El mejor libro de estudio para Isaias!!

Siendo Isaías uno de los libros más difíciles de interpretar, es necesario tener recursos como este. No cabe duda que será de bendición para todo discípulo de Cristo que desea conocerle a profundidad

Bendiciones!!!

[Jorge Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource

It gives an excellent explanation of the text found in Isaiah. It helps to understands the whole book, its historical background and theological concepts.

[Mitch Bedzyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give it 6 stars if it were possible.

[Billy Hillton · Rating 5 out of 5]

That book is very fantastic.

[Joonas Laajanen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read his comments on chapters 1-14. Very good.

[Dan Mays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite commentary to use while going through Isaiah.

[Nicole]

I did not finish reading this book as it is a reference concordance. I did a big skim . Looking forward to reading it as a companion the next time i read Isaiah

[Daniel Warne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent verse-by-verse commentary on Isaiah - makes for difficult front-to-back reading though!

[Helen Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly technical commentary on the book of Isaiah, but Motyer gave such great insight into the historical background as well as the literal translations and context of the modern text.