As the High Holy Days begin we focus on the Kingship of God and His attributes of mercy and judgement. It is therefore fitting that we also contemplate the future days of the King Messiah, Who carries the blessing, righteousness and judgement that lead to salvation for Israel and the nations. This Psalm begins with creation and culminates in the entry of the King of Glory through the gates of Jerusalem. Written by King David, this Psalm longs for a greater son of David, the future King Messiah.

1 Of David (Beloved of God), a melody. Of HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) is the earth, and the fullness, the entire contents thereof; the world, and they that dwell in it.

The earth and all its lands, oceans, rivers, mountains, vegetation and animal life are created of God through His attribute of Mercy (YHVH).

The world and humanity who dwell in it are also created of God through His attribute of Mercy (YHVH). He created the habitat of the earth for the glory (k'vod) of creation, humanity.

2 For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.

Life has been founded and established through the waters. Mayim (waters) are a central theme of the Tanakh and in this Psalm allude to the mikvah (Drawing together of waters) of Genesis 1:10.

3 Who shall ascend onto the mountain of HaShem (YHVH: Mercy)? And who shall arise (stand) in the place of His holiness?

The question is both a challenge and a request. It is a challenge issued in relation to the holiness of God. It is a request for a tzadik (righteous one) for the redemption of sinful humanity.

The mountain of the Lord is Mt Moriah, Ha Makoom, Har Beit, and The Temple Mt in Jerusalem.

The second question, like the first is both a challenge and a request. It is a challenge issued in relation to the holiness of God. It is a request made to a single individual (Messiah and King).

“Who shall arise?” denotes both rising to action and is a remez (hint) speaks of resurrection.

The place of His holiness is the Holy of holies which may be entered only by the High Priest of Israel. This is the deepest inner room of the Temple. Therefore, the King of Glory alluded to later in this Psalm must also be High Priest.

4 He that has clean hands, and a pure heart (core being); who has not lifted up his soul (entire existence) to emptiness, nor sworn with deceit in mind.

This is a description of a sinless person. His actions are clean (hands) and his inner man is clean (heart). His entire existence (soul) is without deceit. With respect to human beings the Scripture says “All have sinned”. Therefore this can only refer to God's sinless King Messiah, fully God and fully man, or alternatively, to one redeemed and made completely new through blood covering.

5 He carries the blessing from HaShem (YHVH: Mercy), and righteousness from the Elohaiy (God: Judge) of his yeshio salvation.

The person mentioned in the previous verse carries both the blessing and righteousness of God. The blessing of HaShem (Mercy) and the righteousness of Elohaiy (Judge) His salvation. That is the salvation He brings.

The Hebrew yeshio is of the root yeshua.

As in the previous verse this can also apply to one redeemed and made completely new through blood covering.

6 This is the dor generation of them that seek, enquiring of Him, that desire your face, Yaakov (Jacob, Israel, follower). Selah (pause, contemplate, absorb, understand).

The dor (generation) are those who seek Him: the Lord, or the one with clean hands who enters (perhaps one and the same), or Yaakov (Israel).

Whomever we decide the “Him” is (The nearest reference prior is to the one who carries God's blessing and righteousness and brings salvation), we see that the generation who seek and enquire after Him find Him in the face of Yaakov (Israel). Alternatively Yaakov is the dor (generation) who will see the entrance of the King Who carries salvation. Yeshua says “Salvation is of the Jews (Yaakov, Israel).

7 Carry O gates your heads; and bear up my doors everlasting; and the King of Glory will enter in.

In the context of this psalm the gates are the gates leading to the Temple on the mountain of the Lord, which is the Temple mount in Jerusalem. These gates are to carry the heads (rulers) of Israel and bear up the doors to the various courts and inner rooms of the Temple. In this context the Temple is an eternal Temple whose doors are everlasting. This Temple is God Himself and the Lamb will be its King and High Priest (Rev. 21:22).

8 Who is this King of Glory? HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) powerful and mighty, HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) mighty in battle.

The question is rhetorical and is immediately answered. The King of Glory is HaShem Himself in His attributes of mercy, power, might, and war. If this King is also the one who arises and stands in the holiest place, then He can be none other than Yeshua our King Messiah.

9 Carry O gates your heads; and bear up my doors everlasting; and the King of glory will enter in.

This verse repeats verse 7, firmly establishing for the reader the eternal nature of the doors and their relationship to God Himself, Who is the King of Glory.

10 Who is this King of Glory? HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) tz'vaot of hosts (going forth in war), He is the King of Glory. Selah (pause, contemplate, absorb, understand).

Again the question is rhetorical and is immediately answered. The King of Glory is HaShem Himself in His attribute of mercy, and as Lord over heavens armies.

In conclusion the King of Glory is YHVH. He is a King Who enters the gates where the heads (rulers of Israel) are supported and through the doors eternal. God the Father is outside of all things, in Him all things exist and move and have their being. Therefore, the King of Glory is YHVH but is not The Father. The only one Who qualifies then is Yeshua, Who is YHVH with us (Immanuel). The sinless King Messiah whom David the psalmist longed for.
​
© 2017 Yaakov Brown

2:1 Ha-d’var The Word asher Who (which, that) Yishaiyahu (Salvation of YHVH [Mercy] Isaiah) ben son of Amotz (Strong) chazah saw (perceived, beheld, prophesied) al upon, on the ground of, over, above, toward, against, and concerning Yehudah (Praise, Judah) and Yerushalayim (Flood, downpour of peace, Jerusalem). 

The opening words of Isaiah 2 are reminiscent of the Gospel of Yochanan (John) 1:1.

​
“In the beginning was Ha-D’var the Word and Ha-D’var the Word was with Elohiym (God) and Ha-D’var the Word was Elohiym (God). He was with Elohiym (God) in the beginning.”

While this is not the p’shat (plain/surface meaning) of the text of Isaiah 2:1, it is none the less a relevant remez (hint) that reveals a profound sod (mystery).

We could read, “The Messiah Who Isaiah the son of strength saw upon the ground of Judah and Jerusalem”

The Hebrew “D’var” has a much wider meaning than the English “Word”. D’var means, “Thing, declaration, promise, warning, word, speech, utterance, matter, case, manner, song, something, leading” etc. Hebrew uses a different word to describe that which is written, “Ketvi” which forms the plural Ketuviym (Writings) is the title of the poetry books of the TaNaKH (OT).

Therefore the plain meaning of Isaiah 2:1 is, “The thing (vision) which Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem”.

Though other nations will be spoken of as the vision unfolds, they are mentioned only according to their relationship to Judah and Jerusalem, and as a result of Israel’s destiny. This is why the text reads, “Concerning Judah and Jerusalem”. These visions of Isaiah are of future events. This is clear because the events he will describe had not yet occurred when Isaiah began his public ministry during the latter years of Uzziah’s (Azariah) reign.

The phrase, “The word which Isaiah chazah (saw)” is in the prophetic past tense. Hebrew prophecy (because it is seeded from outside of time and space by God), sees the future as if it has already taken place. A Hebrew in right relationship with God can remember the future.

Thus Isaiah 2:2-4 which follows, is a yet future picture of the role of Zion at the centre of God’s kingdom. The same prophecy is repeated almost verbatim in Micah 4:1-4

2:2 V’hayah And it came to pass b’achariyt hayamiym in the end of the days, that nachon firmly established will be the har mountain beit house of HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) as the head of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and like a beam of light all nations shall flow toward Him (it). 

The opening phrase “And it shall come to pass” (As in the majority of English translations) is in fact an attempt to convey the past tense Hebrew v’hayah, meaning, “And it came to pass”. This Hebrew contraction combines the Hebrew vei (and, for) and the Hebrew hayah (was). This is a prophetic-figurative use of the Hebrew language that is intended to convey the timeless nature of Hebrew prophecy. It is to be understood as yet future from an earthly perspective while complete from the perspective of the third heaven (God’s perspective outside of time and space).

The Hebrew phrase b’achariyt hayamiym (in the end of the days), is understood by our Sages to refer to the days of our King Messiah’s reign. These are the days referred to by Christian eschatologists as the Thousand Year Reign (Rev. 20:6). We should remember that to the Jew the numerical value 1000 represents a figure for eternity or perpetuity. Thus the words, “Hashem your Elohiym is the true Elohiym, the faithful Elohiym Who keeps His covenant faithfully to a thousand generations of those who love Him and guard/keep His mitzvot [commands right actions]” (Deut. 7:9), denote a perpetual faithfulness being offered by God to His faithful servants. In a more general sense “the end of days” is the period of time that closes human history.

“This will take place, as the prophet says, in the last of the days. That is, in the days of Messiah, which are the last of the days of the world.” –Ibn Ezra

The second clause “Firmly established will be the mountain house of HaShem as head of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills” Speaks of the mountain of the Lord, which is Mount Zion, the Temple Mount, Ha-makoom (The Place), Har-beit (Mountain house).

Contrary to popular modern conspiracy theories, the mount Isaiah is describing is not in a yet to be discovered alternate location, rather it is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, currently the location of the idolatrous Al Aqsa Mosque (ironic, given that God rebukes Israel in the following chapter (Isa. 3:18) regarding the wearing of crescent moon necklaces that express devotion to an eastern moon deity [Fem.]).

This prophecy of Isaiah foresees a yet future time when HaShem will once again completely return control of the Temple Mount to the Jewish people and from Mount Zion His Messiah will reign over the earth. The “Mount of Hashem’s house” refers to the physical location of Mount Moriah (Temple Mount in Jerusalem) and is also a figurative description of the very centre of God’s government on earth.

At the end of days Mount Zion will be both the centre of Israel’s worship and the place to which the nations come to worship Hashem and honour His Messiah. Following the Thousand Year Reign (Rev. 20:6) Mount Zion will be established eternally as part of the New Jerusalem. However, there will be no physical Temple, because HaShem Himself and the King Messiah will be the Temple of the new and eternal Jerusalem (Rev 21:22).

Therefore, Moriah (Chosen by YHVH [Mercy]) will remain the Mountain of the House of Hashem, only HaShem Himself and the Lamb will be its house. This is a wonderful sod (spiritual mystery) that will only be truly understood at the end of days.

“Will be the head of the mountains and exalted above all the hills” is a specific reference to the rule of God over the false gods that have been worshipped in the high places of Israel and throughout the world on mountain tops and high hills.
“And like a beam of light all nations shall flow toward Him”  can be understood either to mean that HaShem’s Word will shine outward like a beam of light drawing the nations to Himself, and or, that the nations will stream toward HaShem and His Holy Mountain like streams of light.

“As it is written (Pr. 6:23), ‘For the commandments is a lamp, and the Torah is light’; go and occupy yourself in kindling the light of the world, to build the Temple, concerning which it is written (Is. 2:2), ‘And unto it shall shine all the nations’.” –Ein Yaakov 22:1:2

“That king that will arise from the seed of David will be a greater sage than Shlomo (Solomon)… and hence he will teach all of the people and instruct them in the way of the Lord. And all the nations will come to hear him…And the ultimate end of all the reward and the final Good which has no interruption or deficiency is the Life of the Olam Haba (World to Come); but the Messianic Age is Olam Hazeh (This World), following its own order, except that sovereignty returns to Israel.” –Mishnah Torah, Repentance 9:2

2:3 And many people shall go and say, “Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of HaShem (YHVH: Mercy), to the house of the Elohaiy (God, Judge) of Yaakov (Follower, Jacob). And He will direct us in His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Tziyon (parched land) will go forth the Torah (Instruction), and D’var the word of HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) from Yerushalayim (Flood, downpour of peace, Jerusalem). 

We note that this throng of people share the good news of Hashem with others, inviting them to go up to the house of the Judge and God of Jacob (Israel).

“To the house of the God of Jacob: Since he [Jacob] called it [the Temple site] Beth El [the house of God], therefore, it will be called on his name, but Abraham called it a mount, “On God’s mount shall He appear” (Gen. 22:14); Isaac called it a field, “to meditate in the field” (Gen. 24:63).” -Rashi

Isaiah then returns his conversation to his own people and including himself says, “And He (God with us) will direct us in His (God with us) ways, and we will walk in His (God with us) paths.”

Isaiah then explains how this will be possible both practically and spiritually speaking:

“For out of Tziyon will go forth the Torah, and D’var the Word of HaShem from Yerushalayim.”

“Isaiah 61:6 ‘and you (Israel) will be proclaimed priests of the Lord.’ This is also the true meaning of ‘The Torah emanates from Zion.” (Isaiah 2:3)” –Sforno

Referring to the mitzvoth of the Torah the book of Deuteronomy says:

“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” –Deuteronomy 11:19 (NIV)

“For out of Tziyon (parched land) will go forth the Torah”. The Torah consists of the five books of Moses and in a wider sense the books of the Tanach, further still it covers all the writings of Scripture. However, in the context of Isaiah it must by an historical contextual definition constitute the books of Moses alone, the written Instruction of Hashem, and the literal Torah. This writing of God’s word can be described by the Hebrew ketvi (Literally written).

Isaiah then writes “and D’var the Word of HaShem from Yerushalayim”. Here he links the living Word (D’var: Yeshua) of God to the written word (ketvi: Torah). In fact, the living Word Yeshua is both the Author and the goal of the Torah (Romans 10:4).

We note that if we read the text according to the meaning contained in the names used, we see a remez (hint) of something deeper:

“For out of a parched land will go forth the Instruction and the living person of God’s word from a downpour of peace”.
The written word (Torah: Ha-ketvi) is seeded into a parched sin affected land and goes out to expose the sin of humanity. The Living Word Yeshua (D’var), having been resurrected from the parched land, brings a downpour of peace upon those who had been slaves to the fear of death (the result of sin), and offers to all humanity God’s redemptive solution to the sin that the Torah has exposed. Therefore, the Torah both exposes sin and points to the solution for sin.

2:4 And He shall judge between the nations (ha-goyiym), and shall hochiyach prove, judge, correct, arbitrate between many peoples (l’amiym): and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning knives: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any longer. 

“Beat your plowshares into swords
    and your pruning hooks into spears.
Let the weakling say,
    ‘I am strong!’” –Joel 3:10 (NIV)

“‘And he shall judge’. He, who is the judge, the Messiah, shall judge” –Ibn Ezra

The opening phrasing alludes to the arbitration carried out by the Messiah during the Messianic age (Thousand Year Reign) prior to the second resurrection. Following the second resurrection (Rev. 20:11-15) and the inception of the Olam Haba (World to come) there will no longer be any need for arbitration because the Olam Haba will be devoid of sin and its consequences.

The Messianic age will be marked by the repentance of nations and the transforming of all weapons of war into tools for the prospering of humanity. This will be made possible through the return and reign of the Messiah (Psalm 72).
There has yet to be any period in history where these things have happened. Therefore, Isaiah is speaking of a latter period of human history that is still yet to come. This is a clue to the reader as to the chronological method by which the Messiah will fulfil His mandate. 

2:5 House of Yaakov (Follower), come you, and let us walk in the b’or light (Gen. 1:3) of HaShem (YHVH: Mercy). 

Isaiah has previously referred to the mountain house of Hashem. He now challenges Israel to get her house in order by turning toward the light (Or) of HaShem. The light being referred to predates the creation of the heavenly lights (Gen. 1:3). This light (Or), like the Word (D’var) of Hashem, is a manifestation of the Spirit and the countenance of the Torah, both predating it and shining forth from it.

Isaiah includes himself in this rebuke, by using the plural “us” in the same way Moses did when he prayed, “forgive our iniquity” (Exodus 34:9). “I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.”(Isaiah 6:5) Isaiah’s identification with the house of Jacob is a mark of the true prophet of Hashem. Those prophets who accuse and condemn Israel without identifying with her, becoming heartbroken over her sin and walking in her suffering, are not prophets of God, but enemies of both God and Israel. Let this be a warning to those so called Christians who point their fingers in accusation at the modern state of Israel without lifting a finger to aid and encourage her in her suffering. Who are you to discipline another Father’s child?

The meaning of this verse is further illuminated by the meanings of the names used:

“All you who are descended from the follower, come and let us walk in the light of Mercy.”

It is not by chance that Abraham had come from Ur (Or: light). Thus Isaiah calls Israel to return to the faith of her father Abraham.

2:6 Therefore, You (Hashem) have natashtah cast off Your people the house of Yaakov (Follower), because they are filled up from the east, and are soothsayers like the P’lishtiym (Immigrants, Philistines), and in my children, foreigners are satisfied. 

The “Therefore” means, because of the promise of Israel’s redemption and restoration at the end of days, and because she have been given the light of Hashem to follow, and because she has been called to send forth the Torah from Zion, but has shown no intention of returning to Hashem and honouring her calling: You (Hashem) have cast off Your people.
Natashtah, often translated “left, forsaken, rejected” is better translated “Cast off”. Israel has not been utterly forsaken or left, rather, like a garment she has been temporarily cast off for the sake of the nations (Romans 11:11).

“Filled from the East” is an allusion to idolatrous practices and supplies from the nations East of Israel. Not only has Israel introduced pagan worship practices, she has also become reliant on the produce of foreigners rather than relying on God for her provision.

The last clause “And in my children foreigners are satisfied” can be understood to mean that the foreigners are satisfied with Israel’s syncretistic idolatry and the adoption of foreign practices, or, it could be a much darker euphemistic saying referring to child sexual abuse.

It is profoundly significant that Israel is likened to the Philistines, whose name literally means “Immigrants”. The prophet is saying that Israel to whom God had promised the land have effectively (though temporarily) become immigrants in the land because God intends to punish them through dispersion into foreign lands if they do not repent from their idolatry.

In fact, verse 6 begins a list of key steps in Israel’s regression. The first of which is 1.) Idolatry, that is, trusting in other gods.

2:7 And their land is full of kesef silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is full of horses, and there is no end to their mark’botayu (merkabah) chariots: 

The second step in Israel’s regression is 2.) Greed, that is, trusting in temporary earthly wealth (Also a form of idolatry).
The third step is 3.) Military Prowess, that is, trusting in her own military strength for deliverance (Also a form of idolatry).

2:8 And their land is full of eliyliym idols; the work (idols) of their own hands they bow down to, that which they have fashioned with their fingers:

The list of regression comes full circle back to step one, Idolatry.

“Eliyliym ‘Idols’. Root Al ‘not’; the idols are called by this name, because there is no reality in them.” –Ibn Ezra

Israel’s severe lack of logic and irony of practice is laid bare by Isaiah as he observes the fingers of the hands that made the idols extending from palms which are face down on the ground in worship of the idols they have formed. There is a spiritual blindness that enters the mind of the wilful sinner. A blindness that prevents even basic logical observations.
“They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance in them due to the hardness of their heart. Since they are past feeling, they have turned themselves over to indecency for the practice of every kind of immorality, with greed for more.” –Ephesians 4:18-19 (TLV)

2:9 And bow down adam humanity, and be humbled iysh man: therefore don’t tisa lift, carry or bear them up. 

The prophet emphasizes the degradation of Israel and humanity in general, both corporate and individual:

“Adam (humanity) go ahead, bow down to your idols, and each of you as individuals, go ahead, make yourselves look foolish, humiliate yourselves in worship of false gods: therefore Hashem, don’t lift them out of the quagmire of their own idolatrous stupidity, don’t bear the weight of their rejection any longer!”

Yarchi interprets adam to mean “Men of low stature” and iysh as being “Men of high stature”. Thus the sin of idolatry has permeated every echelon of society.

2:10 Enter the rock, and conceal yourself in the dry earth, before the face of the terror (1a#) of Hashem (YHVH: Mercy), and because of the glory of His majesty. 

This warning is similar to the warnings of Yeshua’s revelation to Yochanan (Rev. 6:15).

2:11 The lofty (arrogant) eyes (looking down) of adam humanity will become bowed down, along with the haughtiness of anashiym men, and the v’nisgav inaccessibly high Hashem (YHVH: Mercy) alone shall be exalted in that day (2a#). 

The idolatrous pride of humanity will be brought low along with the individual pride of every rebellious person. While Hashem, Who is above and outside all things will be the honoured as God alone.

“Hashem (YHVH: Mercy) will be king over the whole earth. On that day will Hashem be echad (one), and his name the echad (one).” –Zechariah 14:9

2:12 Kiy yom For a day of Hashem (YHVH: Mercy) Tz’vaot Who goes forth in war (of hosts) will be upon all who are proud and lofty, and upon all who are lifted up (in their own eyes) in order to be brought low: 

It is worth noting that the opening phrase says “For a day” rather than “On the day”. This day is described as coming against and falling upon the proud and all who have lifted themselves up in rebellion toward God. The prophet is repeating the promise that the wicked will be brought low because it has been firmly established by Hashem.

2:13 And upon all the cedars of Levanon (Witness), that arise and are lifted up, and upon all the oaks of ha-Bashan the fruitful, 2:14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, 2:15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fortified wall, 2:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish (Yellow jasper [Cyprus, Spain]), and upon all objects of desire. 

The same day of the Lord will come upon the pride of Israel’s neighbours and upon all the high places of the earth where false gods have been worshipped. God’s wrath will also be poured out on the objects of humanity’s rebellion and pride, such as their skyscrapers and fortifications. All that humanity has trusted in to secure her delusion of invincibility will be destroyed and brought low.

Tarshish, Tarseus or Carthage, was a city at the western end of the Mediterranean and is a metaphor for ocean going traders. This day of the Lord’s wrath will be made manifest in a way that will shake the entire earth.

2:17 And bowed down will be the loftiness of ha-adam the man, and brought low will be the haughtiness of anashiym men: and the v’nisgav inaccessibly high Hashem (YHVH: Mercy) alone shall be exalted in that day (2b#). 2:18 And ha-eliyliym the idols in their entirety He will utterly cut off. 

Ha-adam refers to rebellious humanity, whereas anashiym refers to every individual who continues to rebel against God. Once again the unique singular identity of Hashem will be given due honour and He alone will be worshipped as echad (One). Prior to this the idols of this fallen world will be utterly wiped out, cut off, neither to be seen nor heard of again.

2:19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of dry earth, before the face of the terror (1b#) of Hashem (YHVH: Mercy), and because of the glory of His majesty, when He will arise to shake and terrify the earth. 

Isaiah establishes the plight of the idolatrous (Isaiah 2:10). Firmly established by Hashem.

"when he shall be revealed, to break in pieces the wicked of the earth;'' –Targum

2:20 In that day ha-hu he (him) shall cast ha-adam the man’s idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to bow down to, to the moles and to the bats; 

Reference to the moles and bats is a figurative way to denote darkness, isolation and punishment.

2:21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, before the face of the terror (1c#) of Hashem (YHVH: Mercy), and because of the glory of His majesty, when He will arise to shake and terrify the earth.

For the third time the plight of the wicked is pictured as a hiding in terror. If twice is firmly established, three times is irrevocably certain. In an age when punishment is frowned upon by the morally liberal, these words of Isaiah penetrate and dissipate the politically correct smokescreen of lies that offers forgiveness to the unrepentant. Wrath is certain and it will be the end of all those who pursue it.

2:22 Cease him (Him) from ha-adam the man, whose n’shmah breath is in his nostrils (Gen. 2:7): for what nechshav is he thinking, inventing, planning, imagining? 
​
In other words, “Don’t place your trust in fallen humanity. For we received our life breath (ruach) from an intimate creative act of HaShem, but have none the less rejected the One who gave us life and have instead pursued our own imagined deity”.
"for he is alive today, and tomorrow he is not, and he is to be accounted as nothing;'' –Targum (Isaiah 2:22)
 
© Yaakov Brown 2017

General Introduction:
It is impossible to properly understand the book of Isaiah the prophet outside of the historical context of Isaiah’s life. The events occurring in the land of Israel and throughout the known world at the time of his ministry were tumultuous. Empires battled one another for possession of the Fertile Crescent and Isaiah spoke to God’s chosen people in the midst of the chaos. Therefore, we must ascertain to the best of our ability the approximate period of history in which the prophet lived and ministered. We also need to understand the art of Hebrew prophecy itself and the words used to convey the rich complexity of meaning combined within the Hebrew “Navi” (Prophet).

In addition there is a need for the Spirit filled believer to resist the delusional approach of modern critical scholarship, which often sees no room for the miraculous or the impartation of divine knowledge concerning future events. To study Isaiah as we would any other historical work via historical analysis and literary device alone would be to miss the equally important revelation that is revealed by the Spirit of God and is beyond the reasoning of humanity. We must conclude that the book of Isaiah, like any other divinely inspired prophetic work within the canon of Scripture, can only truly be comprehended spiritually.

The age Isaiah lived in seems to be best summed up by the words Isaiah attributes to the generation he’s addressing, “Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we will die” (Isaiah 22:13). In many ways these words also reflect the present generation and remind us that the words of Isaiah are timeless, speaking to every subsequent generation that rejects God in favour of its own appetites.

Isaiah lived at a pivotal time in Israel’s history, the two feuding kingdoms of Judah and Samaria were caught between the rival empires of Assyria and Egypt; each bent on consuming the known world and consolidating its territories into a single empire. The relatively small populations of Israel and Judah were in the path of both these kingdoms and represented the only monotheistic culture in the region at the time. In addition to the designs of military conquest, the two main powers of the Fertile Crescent also loosed a spiritual war between their gods and the God of Israel.

While the God of Israel was calling His people to a life of love, justice and righteousness, the gods of Assyria and Egypt who personified the forces of nature, were constantly tempting Israel to forsake her God and pursue her own carnal desires. In the face of such mighty nations, the Israelites looked at their weak position and often concluded that the gods of their enemies must be more powerful than HaShem. Based on this false assumption many Israelites had turned to pagan worship, though rather than embrace it entirely they had simply syncretized their beliefs; offering sacrifices to both Hashem and their new pagan deities. This is seen in the actions of king Ahaz the king of Judah:

“And in the time of his distress he trespassed even more against HaShem (YHVH: Mercy): this is that king Ahaz. For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.” –2 Chronicles 28:22-23
 
Hebrew Prophecy:

Biblical Hebrew prophecy is primarily cyclical in nature. While it has a point of conception in time and space and within the chronology of history, it also sits outside of those boundaries and is often fulfilled multiple times throughout history, past, present and future. Ultimately, this is because Biblical Hebrew prophecy is seeded by the Spirit of God, Who transcends time and space and in Whom time and space exist.

The book of Hebrews uses the Greek Prophetes to describe the prophets of the Tanakh (OT). This Greek word is a composite verb pro-phemi, which means “In advance, before” (pro) and “Speak, say, declare” (phemi). Thus it can be understood to mean either “To speak in advance” or “To speak for another”. This Greek word is a good representation of what the Hebrew Navi came to mean following the days when the term “Seer” was no longer used to describe Israel’s prophets.

During Israel’s early history there were three words used to describe her prophets: Navi, Ro’eh and Chozeh. The word Navi, meaning “Prophet” comes from the root naba, meaning “To well up” or “Speak forth”. Both Roeh and Chozeh are translated “Seer”. There was at one time a distinction between the two types of seeing that a seer practiced, however, the true understanding of that distinction has been lost. Ro’eh comes from the root ra’ah, which means “To see”, and is generally applied to physical sight. Thus it can be understood to refer to a type of visual discernment of present events. On the other hand Chozeh comes from the root chaza, which also means “sight” but seems to infer inward vision, and the ability to see what the physical eye is unable to comprehend (Isaiah 22:1). Each of the three Hebrew terms for prophet are used in the following passage:

“Now the acts of King David, the first and the last, behold, are written in the chronicles of Sh’muel (Hears God) the seer (Ro’eh), in the chronicles of Natan (Giver) the prophet (Navi) and in the chronicles of Gad (Troop) the seer (Chozeh)”
-2 Chronicles 29:29

To some degree the lives of the prophets Samuel, Nathan and Gad reflect the meaning of each of the Hebrew words used to describe their roles. Samuel heard from God and was able to direct Israel according to divine discernment. Nathan’s ministry combined both divine foresight and contemporary discernment, and a harsh declaration in the form of a mashal (parable) directed at Israel’s king David. Thus he is named by the Hebrew word navi which combines ro’eh and chozeh, and adds proclamation. Finally, Gad is given a ministry that foretells or tells beforehand.

The prophets of Israel were also frequently called “Man of God (The Judge)” Ish Elohim. Inferring “Man of Judgement” (1 Sam. 2:27a). They were less frequently called “Holy man of God” (2 Kings 4:9). Which adds holiness, a sense of being “set apart”. There are also times when HaShem calls them “My servants the prophets” (2 Kings 17:13).
1 Samuel 9:9 explains:

“Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let’s go to the seer”—for today’s prophet was formerly called a seer.” (TLV)

In the end all three terms, ro’eh, hozeh and navi became interchangeable and eventually the term navi became the common designation of a Biblical Hebrew prophet of God. Therefore, the Hebrew navi, like its Greek equivalent prohetes, combines all the aforementioned attributes and functions of a prophet of God.

For the Jew, Moses is the ultimate prophet. He is called Moishe Rabbeinu (Moses our great one). His humble, anguished, relational, holy and self-sacrificial character sets the bar high for Israel’s subsequent prophetic voices. Each prophet of Israel must exhibit the essential characteristics of her prophetic prototype Moses.

Beginning with Moses and continuing throughout Israel’s prophetic journey there are key elements present in the lives of God’s prophets that distinguish them from the false prophets that God warned against (Isaiah 8:19-20).

1. Reluctant

A prophet of God does not appoint himself (Exodus 3:1-4; Amos 7:14-15; Isaiah 6; Jeremiah 1:4-19; Ezekiel 1:28, 3:16-17)

1. Caught Between Devotion and Anguish

A prophet of God is unable to keep the truth inside. He is compelled by his devotion to God and at the same time he is in anguish over the sinful actions of his people (Isaiah 5:1-3; Exodus 32:30-32; Jeremiah 4:19-22; Amos 5:10)

1. Suffering

A prophet of God has great empathy, being a Jew himself living in the midst of Israel’s disobedience, he also suffers with her in her time of chastisement and suffering. On Israel’s behalf he confesses sin, often sin he has not personally participated in (Isaiah 6:5)

A prophet of God can be best understood when compared with his counterpart the false prophet:

1. What he Prophecies doesn’t Come to Pass

(Deuteronomy 13:1-5)

1. Unfaithful

A false prophet is unfaithful to God and His Word (Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 18:9-22; Numbers 22:5, 13)

1. Smooth talker (says what people want to hear)

(Isaiah 30:1; Jeremiah 23:17)

1. Self-Appointed

(Jeremiah 23:18-22, 33) A true prophet speaks only what God commands him to say (1 Kings 22:6-28)
The Prophet of God is both a Preacher and a Messenger of Future Events
The prophet of God has a twofold message:

1. Moral (ethical)

He addresses the sin of the nation and offers a redemptive solution (Lev. 19:2; Isaiah 1, 2:9, 6:5)

1. Future Fact (Not prediction)

He speaks of future events as one who has received instruction from God, Who is outside of time and space and is speaking into time and space that which He has already seen complete outside of time and space (Deut. 18:22; Jeremiah 18:9, 26:13; 1 Kings 13:2 [2 Kings 23:15, 16]; Isaiah 13:19-20, 44:28, 45:1; Jeremiah 43:8, 13, 44:24-30; Ezekiel 29:19, 30:10; 32:11; Matthew 11:20-23 [Historical and archaeological evidence have confirmed many of these prophecies).
 
How does the Prophet of God Receive the Word of The Lord?

1. Personal Encounter (Numbers 11:25; Jeremiah 36:27; Ezekiel 3:22)
2. Hears God Speaking (Isaiah 6:8)
3. Sees Visions of God (Isaiah 6:1a)
4. Meets with God in a Dream (Numbers 12:6)
   

​The Word (D’var) of The Lord (HaShem)
​
What the prophet spoke was D’var Elohim “The Word (D’var) of HaShem”, which was made manifest through the prophet’s:

1. Speech (Isaiah 1)
2. Writings (Book of Isaiah)
3. Actions (Isaiah 20:2-3)

The prophets of God often participated in living mashalim (Parables). In Isaiah’s case he named his own sons as living parables figuratively representing God’s message of both hope and impending disaster: Shear Yashub “Remnant shall return” and Maher Shelal hash baz “Hurry spoil, quickly loot”. The themes of Mercy and Wrath become the mainstay of Isaiah’s prophecy. The prophet Hosea was instructed to marry a sexually immoral woman (Hosea 1:2-3) in order to demonstrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

By far the most common method of delivery of God’s message was orally in the hearing of the people (Isaiah 1; Jeremiah 7:1-2; Ezekiel 17:1-2). Often the message was also written down, as is the case with the book Isaiah (Jeremiah 30:2; Isaiah 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2).

The Life and Work of Isaiah

Yishaiyahu (Isaiah: Salvation of YHVH [Mercy]) could almost be called the halfway prophet. That is, halfway between Moshe (Drawn out) and Yeshua (Salvation). Yishaiyahu (Isaiah) the son of Amotz (Strong) was a contemporary of Amos (Burden [Not the same as Amotz]), Hoshea (Salvation) and Micah (Who is like God?). God had placed each of these men throughout Israel during the 8th to 7th Centuries BCE as a warning and a hope for all the people.

Few details are known about Isaiah’s life. There is a Jewish tradition claiming that Amotz his father was brother to Amaziah, However there is no way to verify this. From the text we can glean that Isaiah was probably a resident of Jerusalem and a member of a prominent family. We also know that Isaiah was married and referred to his wife as “The Prophetess” (Isaiah 8:3).

Isaiah had two sons: Shear Yashub “Remnant shall return” and Maher Shelal hash baz “Hurry spoil, quickly loot” (Mentioned by name in Isaiah 7:3 & 8:1-3). It seems clear that Isaiah’s entire family were united in their devotion to HaShem and that their lives were in submission to the prophetic vocation of the head of their home. As a family they became a living testimony to the truth and faithfulness of God.

“Now! Here I am, I and the children that HaShem (YHVH Mercy) has given me are signs and tokens of future events in Israel, from Hashem-Tzva’ot (YHVH over heavens armies) who dwells on Mount Tziyon (Parched place).” –Yishaiyahu (Isaiah) 8:18
Isaiah’s name unifies the message of all his prophecies. He brings the redemptive message that “YHVH [Mercy] Saves” (Yishaiyahu). Both his name and his message he shares in common with the future Messiah Whom he frequently alludes to in terms of a suffering servant and a victorious King, that is Yeshua (YHVH [Mercy] Saves).

Like Eliyahu (Elijah) and Yochanan (John), Isaiah often wore a garment of hair cloth and sackcloth around his loins and sandals on his feet (Isaiah 20:2-6).

Isaiah’s Birth and Death

We can only approximate the dates of Isaiah’s birth and death. From Isaiah 1:1 we can deduce that the prophet’s ministry covered at least part of the reign of Uzziah during the period of his leprosy when his son Jotham was co-regent (2 Kings 15:5; 2 Chronicles 26:21), and all of the reign of Ahaz and that of Hezekiah. Tradition (Both Jewish and Christian) holds that Isaiah was murdered by the ungodly king Manasseh during his reign of terror. In all, Isaiah’s ministry spanned from approximately 750 – 680 BCE.

The prophets of the Tanakh (OT) were usually called to ministry in their youth. It is therefore reasonable to assume that Isaiah was approximately 25-30 years of age at the time of Uzziah’s death (Isaiah 6:1 [740 BCE]). 2 Chronicles 32:32 indicates that Isaiah outlived Hezekiah (687 BCE) and recorded his deeds. Thus the latter years of Isaiah’s life are lived during the beginning of wicked Manasseh’s reign (687-642 BCE). The tradition concerning Isaiah’s martyrdom is based on 2 Kings 21:16a and some of the early Church fathers saw the means of Isaiah’s execution in Hebrews 11:37 “They were sawn in two”. If the ancient tradition is reliable, we can estimate that Isaiah lived to be approximately 92 years of age, 7 years of which were under the reign of Manasseh, making the date of his death approximately 680 BCE. By combining the internal Scriptural evidence and Jewish tradition we can make an educated guess that Isaiah lived approximately 90 plus years from 770 to 680 BCE.

Isaiah the Historian

In addition to the role of prophet it seems that Isaiah also acted as a historian. 2 Chronicles 26:22 reads, “Now the rest of Uzziah’s acts from beginning to end were recorded by Isaiah son of Amoz.” 2 Chronicles 32:32 reads, “Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.” The identification of Isaiah as a scribe within these two texts gives weight to the orthodox view that the prophet himself recorded the entire written form of the book that came to be called by his name.

Who Wrote the Book of Isaiah?

As alluded to earlier, I reject outright the assumption ridden theories of the so called “critical” theologians. Much of their conjecture has been disproved by archaeological evidence discovered subsequent to the publishing of their theories. Like the theory of evolution, the theory of multiple authors for Isaiah becomes more and more untenable with every passing year.

One of the most compelling reasons for rejecting the multiple author theory is the fact that both Yeshua (Jesus) and His apostles understood Isaiah to be the author of the entire prophetic work named after him. They did not once attribute Isaiah’s words to an unknown author or authors, nor did they cite an unknown prophet or a disciple of Isaiah as being the author of the prophet’s words. The New Testament as a whole understands Isaiah to be the recorded words of the prophet Isaiah alone, quoting the book of Isaiah in 21 places and calling the prophet by name. The Jewish sages and the early Church fathers also affirm the singular authorship of the book. For an extensive and well-argued refutation of the critical multiple author theory please read the excellent work titled “The Prophet Isaiah” by the Messianic Jewish commentator Victor Buksbazen, Th.D.

We must conclude that (in spite of the assumptions and circular logic of the critical school of theologians) the book of Isaiah in its entirety, contains the words of Isaiah the prophet alone and was either written down by Isaiah himself and or one of his disciples during Isaiah’s lifetime or completed within several years of his passing.

The Literary style of the Book of Isaiah

Isaiah’s book is the work of the one man (notwithstanding the contrary opinions of many theologians). The literary style of Isaiah’s work is characterized by a fondness for word play, alliteration and Hebrew poetic couplings. He also uses allegory and (parables) to emphasize particular points. His writing is not confined to Israel alone but speaks to all humanity, offering God’s mercy universally (Isaiah 19:24, 25).

It’s probable that Micah the younger contemporary of Isaiah, who lived approximately 53 km south of Jerusalem in a town called Moreshet, was a personal friend and one with whom he cooperated. This would explain the almost identical texts of Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-3. It is also likely that both Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who lived after Isaiah, were familiar with the prophecies of Isaiah.

Josephus the Roman Jewish historian says that Cyrus the Great, the conqueror of Babylon was so impressed by the accuracy of Isaiah’s prophecies, which mentioned him by name (Isaiah 45:1), that in 538 BCE, some 140 years after the prophet’s death, he permitted the Jews to return to Jerusalem.

More than any other Hebrew prophet, Isaiah illuminated the transcendent figure of Israel’s Messiah in His dual role as God Anointed Reigning King and Suffering Servant, pouring out His life for the redemption of many. This 8th to 7th century BCE Seer from the small mountain kingdom of Judah spoke repentance, wrath and life into the ears of his own generation, and in his writings, his voice lives on to challenge us today, almost three thousand years later (Isaiah 34:1-2; 11:1-9).

The Hebrew Text of Isaiah

The manuscripts of Isaiah found in the Qumran caves in 1947, which are over 1000 years older than any previously known text of Isaiah (1st Century BCE), are essentially the same as the Masoretic text (916 CE/AD).

Historical Background

Isaiah came of age during the reign of Uzziah (Also known as Azariah) in the years between 792 and 740 BCE. Uzziah was a “good king” who was overcome by his pride (2 Kings 15:1-7; 2 Chronicles 26:1-23).

Uzziah was responsible for restoring the Red Sea port of Eilat to Judah, subduing the Ammorites and Philistines, and developed the agriculture and domestic product of Judah, increasing her ability to trade with other nations. However, during his reign the spiritual climate declined and genuine daily faith was replaced with the appearance of piety and tradition for tradition’s sake. The nation’s labourers and poor were exploited by the rich and Judah became much like her idolatrous neighbour Samaria (As recorded in Amos, Hosea, and Micah). The pagan influences of other stronger nations crept in to Judah’s culture and were soon attached to the worship practices of Judah. There was however a God fearing remnant within Judah. A remnant that inspired Isaiah’s hope in the ultimate regeneration and revival of Israel (Isaiah 6:13; 1 Kings 19:18; Romans 11:5).

It seems that the military and economic success experienced by Uzziah went to his head. Unsatisfied with his role as king of Judah he sought to usurp the authority of Israel’s priesthood.

“But when he (Uzziah/Azariah) was strong, his core being was lifted up to destruction: for he transgressed against HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) his Elohim (God: Judge), and went into the temple of HaShem to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” –2 Chronicles 26:16

Due to this sacrilegious action Uzziah contracted leprosy at the hand of God. He lived the final years of his life in isolation while his son Jotham ruled over Judah as co-regent. Upon Uzziah’s death in 740 BCE Jotham became king of Judah. It was at some point near the end of Uzziah’s life during the period of his leprosy that Isaiah began his public ministry (aged approx. 30 years) [Isaiah 6:1].

Prior to Uzziah’s death Assyria had been preoccupied with military campaigns to the north and south of the land of Israel, giving Judah a reprieve from the occupation of the Assyrian armies. However, when Tiglathpileser 3rd became the ruler of Assyria (745-727 BCE) things changed dramatically. The Bible uses Tiglathpileser’s native name Pul (2 Kings 15:19; 1 chronicles 5:26). In order to fulfil his dream to create a world empire Pul needed to consolidate the small kingdoms of the region which included Hamat, Arpad, Damascus, Sidon, Tyre, Samaria, Judah, the cities of the Philistines, Moab. This campaign would end with his seeking to take the land of Egypt.

Pul defeated Hamat and Arpad and subdued Rezin of Damascus (750-732 BCE), and his ally Menachim of Samaria (752-742 BCE) [2 Kings 15:19]. During the reign of Pekah (740-732) of Samaria Pul annexed the Galilee and Gilead and deported the tribes beyond the Jordan to Assyria (2 Kings 15:27-31). By the time Ahaz succeeded to the throne of Judah (735-715 BCE) Rezin of Damascus and Pekah of Samaria (Both now vassal kings of Assyria) invaded Judah (2 Kings 16:5-6; Isaiah 7-8). Possibly in the hope of forcing Ahaz into an alliance against their Assyrian overlords. Ahaz made the fatal mistake of asking Pul for help. In order to seal the deal Ahaz made Pul a gift of silver and gold from the Temple of HaShem. However, "He (Pu“) helped him not” (2 Chronicles 28:21). Latter Shalmaneser (727-722 BCE) laid siege to Samaria. The city was eventual captured by his successor Sargon 2nd (722 BCE) and its inhabitants deported. At this time the independent kingdom of Assyria came to an end (2 Kings 17:4-6). The prominent families of Samaria were deported to Assyria and Sargon replaced them with colonists who brought their own native gods into Samaria and eventually syncretized their worship practices with the worship of HaShem, accepting an understanding of the Law of Moses that delegitimized Jerusalem and the temple mount replacing it with Mount Gerizim. They eventually became a mixed ethnic group of part pagan part Israelite people practicing a defiled form of Biblical Judaism (2 Kings 17:41; Jeremiah 40:7; 41:5). The new Samaritan nation with their rival centre of worship (Mt Gerizim) was a thorn in the side of the Jews from the very beginning. This historical knowledge helps us better understand the depth of hatred expressed between Jews and Samaritans at the time of Messiah (John 4:9, 8:48; Luke 9:51-53) [First Century CE].

With the fall of Samaria it was only a question of time before Judah would be overthrown. However the residents of Judah continued to behave as they had been for generations, as if the day of God’s judgement would never come (Isaiah 22:13). When we look back on the history of the divided kingdom during the lifetime of Isaiah we see that the leaders of Judah and Israel seem to have lacked political wisdom and were unable to properly discern the very obvious warnings of their impending doom. Only spiritual men like the prophets Amos, Hosea, Isaiah and Micah were afforded insight and a clear understanding of the events that were unfolding. These prophets warned the people of God’s coming judgement, calling all Israel to teshuva (Turn around in repentance). Regarding national politics both Isaiah and later Jeremiah counselled against becoming entangled with other nations. Isaiah warned his people that Israel’s salvation could only come from God. Early in his ministry Isaiah rebuked Ahaz for calling on the Assyrian Pul for help (Isaiah 8:5-8). Later Isaiah was equally outspoken concerning a proposed alliance with Egypt against Sennacherib (Isaiah 31:1-6). Isaiah’s message was consistent and clear, “For through the voice of HaShem shall the Assyrian who beat with the rod be beaten down” (Isaiah 30:31). However, the rulers of Israel and Judah ignored Isaiah’s warnings preferring their own human understanding to his godly perspective. They practiced a ritual form of syncretized Judaism that was really just a strange mix of paganism and atheism. In spite of Judah’s failure to repent the prophet’s earnest plea on her behalf stayed the hand of God for another century. Thus Jerusalem was spared the wrath of Sennacherib in 701 BCE.

The reign of wicked Ahaz guided Judah toward her destruction but was followed by the God fearing (imprudent) Hezekiah. Under his reign Sennacherib invaded Judah and captured most of her cities with the exception of Jerusalem. The Assyrian history records these events from Sennacherib’s perspective:

“As for Hezekiah the Jew, who did not submit to my yoke, 46 of his strong walled cities, as well as the smaller cities in their vicinity… I besieged and took… As for Hezekiah, the terrifying splendour of my majesty overcame him… his mercenary troops deserted him.”

-[Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia Volume 2, Section 240 (Chicargo 1926)]

God answered the prayers of Isaiah and in response to Hezekiah’s humbling of himself HaShem delivered Jerusalem and destroyed the Assyrian army with a plague (701 BCE). However, Hezekiah’s pride, like that of his grandfather Uzziah, was eventually his undoing (2 Chronicles 32:25-26).

Judah survived precariously for another century finally coming to the end of her independence when Babylon (Once a province of Assyria) became master of the Mesopotamian Empire stretching from the gulf of Persia and just shy of the banks of the Nile.

For over half a century Isaiah witnessed all these events seeing by the revelation of God that which the physical eye could not see. By the Word of HaShem he was able to make detailed and specific prophecies concerning future events, including events that occurred many years after his death (each confirmed by history and or archaeology), the greatest of those being the accuracy with which he prophesied the events concerning Israel’s Messiah, a man who walked the earth approximately 640 years after Isaiah’s death.

The Themes of Isaiah:

1. Indictment of the nation’s sinful condition and hypocrisy (Throughout Isaiah)
2. Warning of divine judgement for unfaithfulness (Isaiah 2:12; 13:9)
3. Israel’s neighbours being used as God’s instruments of punishment (Isaiah 1:24; 10:5-13; 13:11-13).
4. God’s judgement is born of Eternal love and His gracious purpose concerning the restoration of Israel (Isaiah 4:5-6; 24:23, 25:10; 26:1; 31:5; 32:6)
5. Israel’s national survival and restoration will come through a “Holy seed” via a faithful remnant (6:13; 8:18; 10:20-22)
6. The Messiah and His Kingdom, the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 2:1-3; 9:5-6; 11:1-10; 25:3)
7. The Ultimate future triumph of the kingdom of God

Isaiah Chapter 1

The first chapter acts as an introduction to the entire book and forms a prologue to the collection of messages that Isaiah brings to Judah, Israel and the nations.

Verses 2-9 bring the charges of ingratitude, apostasy and corruption against the nation.

Verses 10-31 Describe Israel’s worship practices as hypocritical and an attempt to sweep her moral ineptitude under the rug of vain religious ritual. This is followed by a call to repentance before God’s wrath is unleashed upon the whole nation. A repentant remnant will escape judgement but the remainder of the nation will be destroyed.

As a man who is indigenous to the land of Judah and a citizen of Jerusalem, Isaiah directs his prophecies primarily toward the people of his native land Judah and her spiritual capital Jerusalem. However, within the greater narrative of God’s redemptive purpose, Isaiah’s vision centred on Israel’s ultimate destiny, her restoration and redemption and the subsequent redemption of the nations.
 
Text of Isaiah 1:

1:1 The chazon vision (perception, seeing) of Yishaiyahu (Salvation of YHVH [Mercy]) son of Amotz (Strength), which he chaza saw (perceived, beheld) concerning Yehudah (Praise) and Yeru-shalaiym (Downpour of Peace), in the days of Uzziyahu (My Strength is YHVH [Mercy]),  (YHVH [Mercy] is Perfect, complete, innocent), Achaz (He has grasped), and Y’chezkiyahu (YHVH [Mercy] is my strength), kings of Yehudah (Praise):

The words chaza (to see) and chazon (vision, revelation) are both from a root that describes spiritual perception revealed by God to His chosen servants the prophets of Israel.

We could read, “The revelation given by God to Yishaiyahu (Salvation of YHVH)…”

The opening line of the book of Revelation comes to mind: “The Revelation of Yeshua (Salvation of YHVH) the Mashiyach which God gave to him (John)…” (Revelation 1:1).

The phrase “In the days of” means that Isaiah began his ministry in the (later) days of Uzziah (Approx. 750 BCE) and ministered for approximately 65 years, passing away (Possibly murdered by Manasseh) in 685 BCE.

A reading using the meanings of the Hebrew names is illuminating:

“The vision of Salvation from Mercy, son of Strength, which he saw concerning praise and a downpour of peace, in the days of my strength is Mercy, Mercy is innocent, he has grasped and Mercy is my strength, the kings of praise.”

The fact that the book opens with the phrase “which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem” does not as Rashi suggests, mean that this was not the beginning of his ministry. Rashi and others cite 6:1 as evidence for their position along with the fact that Isaiah prophesied concerning other nations as well as Judah. However, we know from 1:1 that he began his ministry while Uzziah lived, whereas 6:1 tells us about a reconfirmation of Isaiah following the death of Uzziah. Why? Because a new king (Jotham) had come to power and the prophet’s authority was being re-established before the new monarch. With regard to the fact that Isaiah prophesied concerning other nations, there is no problem, for “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).

2 Shemu Hear, listen, receive, perceive and obey! Shamayim Heavens, v’ha’azini and use your ears, broaden your perspective, eretz earth,
    for Hashem (YHVH [Mercy]) d’var speaks:

The alliteration employed here gives a strength of rhythm to the language that draws the attention of the Hebrew audience. The impact of Israel’s sin is so far reaching that HaShem calls out the heavens and the earth as witnesses (Deut. 17:6).

These opening lines reflect the song of Moses:

“Ha’azinu Give ear ha-shamayim you heavens v’a’dabeirah and I will speak, v’tishma and hear ha-etretz O earth, the words of my mouth.” –Deuteronomy 32:1

Moses begins by addressing the ears (ha’azinu) of the heavens and continues by addressing the hearing (v’tishma) of the earth. Whereas Isaiah reverses this order beginning by addressing the hearing (Shemu) of the heavens and continuing by addressing the ears (v’ha’azini ) of the earth.

“The term ha-azinah, give ear, is reserved for the physically more distant listeners, whereas the term shemi-ah, hearing, is reserved for listeners close at hand. For this reason Moses uses the former term when calling on the Heavens and the latter when addressing the earth. When in contrast to Isaiah 1, 2, Moses refers to the origin of the message being himself not G-d, he emphasises the importance of what he is about to say rather than who is saying it. Moreover, “giving ear,” refers to listening done with the mind, whereas “hearing” refers to listening done with one’s senses, one’s physical ears.” –Akeidat Yitzchak 103:33

It seems that at least in a figurative sense Isaiah is alluding to the ability of the heavens (The host of Hashem) to perceive the spiritual message whereas the earth (symbolic of humanity and specifically Israel), is presently unable to hear in the spiritual sense and must therefore listen with the physical ear.

Isaiah makes it abundantly clear that these are HaShem’s words.

“Baniym Sons & daughters I have raised and brought up,
    but they have rebelled against Me.

The Hebrew terms gidalti ve-romamti have a dual meaning. While they refer to the raising of children to maturity they can also be understood to mean, “I make great and of high stature”. In other words, “I’ve prospered you and given you a position of honour in the earth”.

The Hebrew poshu meaning to “rebel, revolt, transgress, break away”, is from the root pasha which means to “stride or rush”. Thus the sense here is that the sons and daughters of Hashem (Israel/Judah) have not merely sinned, they have intentionally broken away from relationship to Hashem and have done so in haste in spite of His devotion toward them. This is the heart broken cry of the Father. A charge concerning broken relationship and its consequences.

3 The bull knows koneihu the one who purchased it,
    and the donkey its eibus feeding trough,
B’alayn but his husband Yisrael (Overcome in God) does not know,
    Ami My people do not hit’bonan discern .”

The couplets of knowledge and discernment are first pictured in the knowledge of the purchased bull and the discernment of the donkey. These dumb animals act more righteously than Israel, who has chosen to reject the authority and bride-price of her Husband Hashem and now lacks the ability to discern where her nourishment comes from. At this time Israel lacked the basic intelligence to acknowledge that she had been redeemed by HaShem and the discernment needed in order to show gratitude toward her Husband. None the less, in His Mercy Hashem calls her Ami (My people).

We note that while the bull knows the price paid for him and the donkey knows where his food comes from, Israel, those who have overcome in God, not only fail to know their Husband (HaShem), they are also lack understanding. They have knowledge of the things of this world but because they are devoid of the knowledge of HaShem they lack the discernment needed to avoid destruction.

4 Hoy, a goy nation who chotei misses the way,
    a people weighed down with avon perversity, bent, evil, iniquity, guilt
zera (seed) offspring m’reiym (gone bad) of evildoers,
    baniym sons and daughters mash’chiytiym decaying (dealing corruptly)!

The alliteration again emphasizes the weighty charge against Israel. HaShem had called Israel to be a Goy kadosh, a holy nation, but she had become a Goy chotei, a nation who has lost the way. As a people (Am), Israel’s collective actions were beyond generic sin, they were perverse, heavy with guilt. More than that they had become generationally wicked, the progeny of those who have turned a once God fearing culture into a syncretized pagan abomination. Thus they were decaying both physically and spiritually.

They have forsaken Hashem (YHVH [Mercy])
They have shown contempt for k’dosh the Holy One of Yisrael (Overcome in God)
Nazru achor Estranged at the rear (They have turned backwards).

Once more the charge of relational abandonment is levelled against Israel. She has forsaken the Husband of her youth. What’s more she has squeezed lemon juice into the wound by showing contempt for the holy and faithful character of God. In doing so she also shows contempt for her own role as the nation set apart (made holy) for His redemptive purpose. As a result she has become disconnected from the rich spiritual sustenance HaShem offers and has chosen instead to walk in the opposite direction toward the rear, an idiom that conveys the sense of being behind cattle, walking in their excrement.

5 Upon what will you be struck continually,
    increasing your turning away more and more?

This text is often mistranslated, taking the Hebrew phrase al mei “On what?” to mean lamah “Why?”
In fact the author is not asking “Why are you being struck?” but “For what reason do you continue to allow yourself to be struck?” This is an incredulous statement which emphasizes again the stupidity and lack of discernment alluded to in verse 2. A dumb animal will respond to being struck by turning in the right direction, whereas Israel has responded to God’s discipline by continuing to turn away in spite of repeated blows.

The whole head is sick,
    the whole l’vav core being (heart) faint.

The whole head refers to both the kings and priests of Israel. The political and spiritual leaders of God’s people have become corrupt and are leading the people toward physical and spiritual destruction. Thus the core morale of the people has dropped to an all-time low and their national identity has been made vulnerable to assimilation. The “Heart of the nation” as it were, has become sick due to the wickedness of her leaders and her own acceptance of that same wickedness. Which is at its core, rebellion against God, the sin of idolatry.

6 From the base of the foot to the head
    there is no soundness.

Israel is covered entirely in wounds that are the consequences of her sin. From the base of her sinful human nature to the heights of her spiritual pride there is no good in her (With the exception of the remnant).

Blows, bruises and open sores:
    no pressure applied, not bandaged,
    nor softened with oil.

This description of the lack of care for Israel’s wounds is the counterpoint to the method of care employed in Israel at this time in history. Wounds were often pressed out to clear them of infectious material and then oil was used as a salve prior to the bandaging of the wound to protect from further infection. Isaiah is using this figurative language to express the idea that Israel’s spiritual condition mirrors that of a person whose entire body is affected by infectious open sores that have not been treated in any way. Israel had not acted to cleanse her spiritual wounds when they were first made manifest, nor has she sought to soften her wounds with oil (the Ruach Ha-Kodesh) and as a result her wounds (which represent the consequences of sin) have not been covered (bandaged) and therefore remain as a testimony against her.

7 Your land is desolate;
your cities are burned with fire;
your ground in front of you,
    strangers devour--
    laid waste,
    overthrown by strangers.

Having described the decaying state of the nation of Israel, the prophet now describes the desolation of the land. He makes a connection between moral decay and physical decay.

This verse seems to describe the state of the land of Judah during the reign of Hezekiah prior to the birth of Isaiah (701 BCE) soon after Nebuchadnezzar withdrew from Jerusalem having decimated the cities of Judah.

8 So the Daughter of Tziyon (Parched land) is left
    as a sukkah temporary dwelling in a vineyard,
like a hammock in a garden of cucumbers,
    like a besieged city.

Judah (Jerusalem) had lost the security of her surrounding cities (Ransacked by Nebuchadnezzar) and had been made vulnerable to future invasion. Therefore the prophet explains Israel’s precarious situation in terms of a watchman’s temporary shack positioned in a vineyard to keep an eye on the crop, and a hammock in a cucumber patch that can only be used when the weather is fine. Jerusalem and Mount Zion have become like a besieged city.

 9 Unless HaShem (YHVH [Mercy]) Tzva’ot (Host, goes forth)
    had left us a small sarid (group of survivors),
we would have been as S’dom (burning),
    we would have resembled Amorah (Submersion).

In these lines Isaiah identifies with his people saying, “Unless Hashem of Hosts had left us a small group of survivors”.
The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah recognizes that these towns were completely wiped out whereas Israel is being left a small holy remnant. In the midst of the charges levelled against her Israel is offered the seed of redemption in the small group of survivors (fugitives).

While some translate sarid as remnant, Isaiah uses a different Hebrew word for remnant, shear (Isaiah 10:21-22; 11:11, 16), even naming one of his sons “Shear–Yashub” A remnant shall return (Isaiah 7:3).

10 Shemu Hear, listen, receive, perceive and obey the d’var Word of HaShem (YHVH [Mercy]), you rulers of S’dom (burning)!
Give ear to the Torah (Instruction) of our Elohiym (God, Judge),
you people of Amorah (Submersion)!

Here the call to Shemu hear is made again, this time rather than calling the heavens and the earth as witnesses, Isaiah calls on the people to pay attention to the two witnesses of HaShem: His living Word (D’var emet) and His written (ketvi)  Instruction (Torah). The prophet uses the poetic coupling technique in order to equate the Word (D’var) and the Instruction (Torah).

The rulers are challenged to hear (Shemu) the Word of Mercy that they might be delivered from their burning and the people are challenged to give ear (ha’azinu) to the written Instruction (Torah) of Hashem so that they might be delivered from submersion. In other words, the leaders, both political and spiritual, are to listen to the spiritual instruction of HaShem and encourage the people to hear and practice the written moral code of HaShem. The former is Aggadah (Telling) and the latter is Halakhah (the way we walk) born of Ha-d’var emet (The Word of Truth) and ha-k’tuvim (the writings).

God is described as the Merciful YHVH and as the Judge Elohiym.
Israel are being called to return to a washing in the Word and actions that are weighed righteous before the Judge. Thus the call to repentance comes first and the rebuke follows.

11 “For what is it to Me— many sacrifices?”
    Says Hashem (YHVH [Mercy]).
“I’ve received an excessive amount of burnt offerings of rams
    and fat of well-fed animals.
And in the blood of bulls,
    or of lambs or he-goats, I do not delight.

Isaiah has just called for a return to the Torah, the same Torah that commands the sacrificial offerings. Therefore when HaShem says, “What is it to Me” and “I’ve received an excessive amount”, He is saying that the offerings being brought, though technically correct, are not being offered with pure hands or with a right heart. HaShem is not saying that He despises offerings and sacrifices but rather He despises vain tradition practiced by wicked men.

“Woe to you, scribes and P’rushim, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint, anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Torah: judgment, mercy, and trust: you should have done the former without leaving the latter undone.” –Matthew 23:23

12 When you enter to l’raot to perceive panay My face,
    who has required this at your hand--
    trampling My courts?

“When you come to appear before me” refers to the Aliyot regalim (The going up festivals) Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot (Exodus 23:17). All the men who were of age and their households were to go up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate these holy convocations with reverence and awe. Instead Israel had made a foolish spectacle out of their practices at the Aliyot festivals.

“Who has required this?” is a way of saying, “Why do you bring extra sacrifices and offerings instead of appearing before me with contrite hearts in repentance and awe?”

The trampling of the courts of Hashem brings to mind the incredulity expressed by Yeshua when He saw traders profiteering in the outer courts of the temple during His earthly ministry (Matthew 21:12).

13 Don’t bring an increase of offerings of emptiness!
    Incense that is an abomination to Me.

The text is very clear. It is empty piety that God rejects, and incense that bears the stench of sin that He abhors.

Chodesh New Moon and Shabbat, the calling of holy gatherings,
    —I won’t stand for it (accomplish it)--
avein wickedness, idolatry and iniquity with solemn assembly.

Why does Hashem refuse to stand for the holy convocations He has previously commanded? It is because they have been defiled by other gods and the festering sin of Israel’s priests, rulers and the common man. Israel had mixed idolatry and sin with her solemn assemblies, thus making them an aberration.

14 Chad’sheichem Your New Moons and your Festivals
    My nefesh soul (All that I am) hates!
They have become upon me a burden.
    I am weary of bearing them.

We note that the text says that it is “Your New Moons and Festivals” which Hashem hates. He does not hate the festivals but the idolatrous syncretized practice that Israel has made of them.

15 When you spread out your hands palm up,
    I will conceal My eyes from you.
Also though your prayers are many,
    I will hear nothing.
Your hands with bloods will be filled!”

Standing with arms outstretched and palms facing upward was a traditional prayer practice of ancient Judaism. In and of itself there was nothing wrong with the symbolic nature of this position of prayer. However, as the text says, “Your hands with bloods (plural) are filled”. Meaning that those approaching Hashem have shed innocent blood and have come before Him without remorse, nor did they have any intention of changing their behaviour. Thus their religious practices were nothing more than a performance meant for the eyes of men.

16 “Rachatsu Wash and be hizaku pure.
Turn away from your evil practices
    those made conspicuous before My eyes.
Cease doing evil.

The Hebrew rachatsu refers to physical cleanliness, used here as a metaphor regarding the need for the people to cleanse themselves from their filthy actions. Whereas hizaku refers to inward cleanliness. The need to examine one’s self with sober moral judgement.

The phrase “made conspicuous” is a way of saying, “You’re flaunting your sin practices in front of Me. Stop it!”

17 Study how to do what is good,
    seek mishpat judgement, advance the cause of the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
    plead for the widow.”

The Scriptures often use the threefold figures the oppressed, orphan and widow to represent all those who in some unique way need the protection and special care of the community.

“You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you mistreat them in any way, and they cry out to Me, I will surely hear their cry. My wrath will burn hot, and I will kill you with the sword. So your wives will become widows and your children will become orphans. If you lend money to any of My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act like a debt collector with him, and you are not to charge him interest.” –Shemot (Exodus) 22:21-24

However, in the present case Israel has clearly neglected to pay attention to the weightier matters of the Torah. Failing to protect and care for the destitute has meant that those in need have been crying out to God and He will answer the greed of their oppressors with discipline.

The Hebrew lim’du means to study. The opening phrase, “Study how to do what is good” is both an instruction and a rebuke. Anyone who does not know how to do what is good is not walking in right relationship with Hashem.

“Seek judgement” can also be read, “Seek justice”. Both are needed: sober self-judgement and justice for the oppressed.

18 “Come now, let us reason/decide together,”
    says Hashem (YHVH [Mercy]).

L’cho-na “Come now” is a familiar formula for approaching a reasoned conversation regarding volatile issues.
Notice that it is Hashem the Merciful One Who offers this opportunity to parlay.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they will be as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
    they will become like wool.

The use of the colours scarlet, crimson and red is meant to convey both the death (blood loss) that results from sin and the life (blood infusion) that produces life (a reprieve from death) through the sacrificial shedding of the blood offered on the altar.

“For the life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives—for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life.” –Leviticus 17:11

“In fact, the Torah requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” –Hebrews 9:22

We know that the blood of animals was never enough to cleanse us entirely (Hebrews 10:4) and that therefore Hashem sent His Son Yeshua to be the innocent lamb Who would sacrifice Himself in order to impart the gift of eternal life through His own life giving blood.

The white snow refers specifically to newly fallen snow and is a metaphor symbolizing purity. Likewise the wool is that of an innocent lamb.

 19 If you accept and hear, understand and obey,
    you will eat the good of the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
    you will be eaten with the sword.”
For the mouth of Hashem (YHVH [Mercy]) has spoken.

Moses said something similar to the children of Israel when he challenged them to live according to the Instruction of God. He had placed before them the two outcomes of blessing and curse. The former would be experienced by the repentant and obedient, whereas the latter would be the fate of the wilfully sinful and disobedient.

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…” –Devarim (Deuteronomy) NIV

The blessing is offered first “You will eat the good of the land”. This is a twofold blessing, a promise that if Israel is obedient she will remain in the land and eat of its good crops.

The counter to the blessing gleaned through obedience is the curse that comes as a consequence of disobedience: “You will be eaten by the sword”. This is also a twofold certainty for the disobedient: they will be taken from their land by the sword of their enemies and their very way of life will be consumed, including the crops they had grown for their own consumption.

Thus in obedience to God we eat and are secure but in disobedience to God we are devoid of security and are eaten up.

21 Eiychah How has it come to pass that the Faithful City has become a whore!
She once was full of justice,
    righteousness dwelt in her--
    but now merachetzim professional murderers!

Eiychah has a sighing quality. It is the opening word of Jeremiah’s Lamentations and here conveys the great mourning in Isaiah’s heart as he begins his lament over Jerusalem.

Jerusalem has been wept over by many of God’s prophets, not the least being Yeshua our King Messiah:

“Yerushalayim (Flood of Peace), Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” –Matthew 23:37
By definition a Harlot is not faithful. The words of the prophet seek to break through the delusion created by the people of Israel with their syncretised worship practices and their pretentious false piety.

A nation is in the depths of darkness when it has gone beyond murdering out of blind rage and has sanitized the mechanisms for the murderous elite by allowing for the hire of professional murderers. This may be considered by the rich and powerful to be a sanitary practice, but it is not a pure one. A sanitary sin is the ultimate sin of regression.

22 Your silver has become dross,
    your wine diluted by water.

It is literally true that Jerusalem’s riches had been diminished at this point in her history. It is also spiritually true that those symbols of purity and abundance had been replaced with waste and dilution.

23 Your princes are rebellious
    and friends with ganavim professional thieves.
Everyone loves a bribe
    pursuing rewards.
They don’t defend the orphan,
nor is a widow’s case brought before them.

Rav Victor Buksbazen renders this text well when he translates, “Your leaders are misleaders”.
​
Israel’s rulers had become rebellious toward God and as a result had made friends of those who do evil. Her disgraceful and unjust behaviour toward the poor is now spelled out, “You love taking bribes and pursue unjust rewards. Not only do you intentionally refuse to defend the orphan in his distress, you also refuse to hear the widow’s pleas for justice.”

24 Therefore says ha-Adon the Lord Hashem (YHVH [Mercy]) Tzva’ot (Host, going to war) the Avir Mighty One of Yisrael (Overcome in God):
“Hoy! I will get relief from My foes
    and avenge Myself on My enemies.

The title Ha-Adon is used in order to name Hashem as the Lord over all the lords of Israel, which included wicked men, priests, false gods etc.

We can read the Hebrew text as, “Therefore says The Lord over all lords, Mercy Himself, bringing heavens armies to wage war. The Mighty One of those who overcome in Him. Hoy, listen up, I will take out my foes and avenge My enemies Myself!”

25 Then I will turn My hand on you,
    purge away your dross,
    and remove all your alloy.

Dross/alloys are removed from metals through smelting in a furnace. Therefore, Israel will go through a period of severe disciplining and great suffering in order to have her dross (sin) removed.

26 I will return your judges to the head,
    your counsellors as at the beginning.
Thus you will be called
    City of Righteousness, Faithful City.

Following the removal of the sin and moral corruption of the Jewish nation Hashem will return righteous judges to the head of Israel’s justice system. Those who give good counsel in the manner of the former days when Israel had once honoured Hashem, will be with her again just as they were with Moses and the righteous kings of Israel.
Once a harlot and a rebel, now cleansed, Jerusalem will again be known as righteous and faithful.

27 Tziyon (Parched land) will be delivered with justice,
    her returning with righteousness.”

Tziyon is a proper noun that is used in many different ways to describe numerous aspects of Israel’s identity and her connection to God. Mount Tziyon is the Temple mount, but Tziyon is also the land and the people, even the people themselves. Therefore, the returning of Tziyon is of great significance. The Mount will be returned into the hands of the Jewish people. Likewise the land. And in order for both these things to happen the Jewish people themselves will have to be returned from any exile resulting from her sin.

28 But there will be a breaking of rebels and sinners together.
Forsaking Hashem (YHVH [Mercy]), they will be consumed.

The former promise of return is for the repentant remnant alone. The wilfully wicked are now warned of what awaits them if they continue in their rebellion against Hashem. They will be broken as a result of their own sin. Forsaking Hashem is an act of the will. It is the intentional and continued walking away from relationship with God. Those who continually reject God will be consumed by their own sin and will suffer the just judgement of Hashem. In a very real sense no one is sent to eternal punishment, to the contrary, the one who enters eternal punishment has chosen it for himself.

29 For they will be ashamed of the eilim sacred oaks
    that you’ve desired,
and ashamed because of the gardens
    that you have chosen.

The Hebrew Eilim means both oaks or terebinths and idols.

The Hebrew text interchanges plural and singular forms in order to show that these sins are both corporate and individual. The oaks are sacred oaks/idols worshipped by the surrounding nations, a practice that Israel had adopted and syncretized with the worship of Hashem. The gardens are likewise places that are designed to honour false gods.

30 For you will become like an oak with languishing leaves,
    like a garden that has no water.

Isaiah makes couplets of the oaks and the gardens. In the former verses the oaks and gardens are objects of worship but in the present verse the Israelite himself is called a languishing oak and a waterless garden. In other words the Israelites have not only worshipped false gods they have also taken on the identities of those gods. In the modern vernacular of the new age movement, they had realised the god within them. This is of course the root of all sin, Idolatry, the desire to usurp HaShem. However, in realizing their own deity they had also been met with the weakness of that same realisation. They may be gods (elohiym), but they were languishing feeble gods without the ability to sustain themselves.

31 And it will come to pass that the strong one will become like a dry strand of flax,
    and his work will kindle fire--
both will burn together,
    and nothing will put it out.

The “Strong one” chozen, is a reference to one who makes an idol and his “work” is a reference to the idol itself.
This is an illuminating verse. It is the work (idol) of the strong one (the maker of the idols [eilim] who finds his strength in temporary idolatrous things) that will ignite his own destruction. Both the wicked (idol makers) and their works (idols) will burn together.

In conclusion we have a description of a fire that will never cease to burn because “nothing will put it out”. This is not possible in the physical realm, for eventually the fire will burn itself out. Therefore, this is a description, not of the temporary consequence of wicked physical deeds but of the eternal consequences of uncovered wicked spiritual deeds.

© Yaakov Brown 2017