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Home Content Index Books of the Bible Isaiah Deutero-Isaiah

QUESTION

What is the Deutero-Isaiah theory?

ANSWER

Most conservative Bible scholars are in agreement that Isaiah was the sole author of the book that bears his
name. However, there are some liberal scholars who are skeptical about anything that points to supernatural
inspiration of the Bible. In fact, they go so far as to explain the fulfilled prophecies in these books by re-dating
them to after the events occurred! The theory of multiple Isaiahs is one example of skepticism from those who
want to call into question the Bible as God’s inspired Word.

This theory of “Deutero-Isaiah” (or second Isaiah) came about near the end of the eighteenth century. Supposedly,
Isaiah himself wrote only the first 39 chapters, leaving one of his students to write the second part (chapters 40–
66) sometime after the Babylonian captivity started (after 586 BC). This later date would explain explicit mentions
of “Cyrus, King of Persia” in Isaiah 44:28–45:1 without requiring predictive prophecy.

The “Deutero-Isaiah” theory claims Isaiah chapters 40—55 contain no personal details of the prophet Isaiah as
compared to Isaiah 1—39. The first section tells of numerous stories of Isaiah, especially his dealings with kings
and others in Jerusalem. The theory goes on to say that the style and language of Isaiah 40—55 seem to be quite
different from the earlier chapters. What is so interesting about this argument is that it is also promulgated by the
authors who support one author for the book! One contention is that specific references to Cyrus began with the
experiences of the exiles in Babylon. This last argument is supposedly the strongest. It claims the second part of
the second part of Isaiah was written later because only a later date can explain the accuracy of the prophecy.

Again, most reputable Bible scholars reject the “Deutero-Isaiah” theory. Their conclusions include the similarity of
writing styles in both sections, the consistent use of the same words throughout, and the familiarity of the author
with Israel, but not Babylon. Furthermore, Jewish tradition uniformly ascribes the entire book to Isaiah.

The Dead Sea Scrolls contain a complete scroll of Isaiah dated from the second century BC. The book is one unit
with the end of chapter 39 and the beginning of chapter 40 in one continuous column of text. This demonstrates
that the scribes who copied this scroll never doubted the singular unity of the book. Neither did the New
Testament authors, nor the early church, as quotations from both sections are attributed only to Isaiah.

The book of Isaiah contains extensive and precise prophecies about the coming of the Messiah as well as the life
and crucifixion of Christ. Briefly these include:

• The reign of Christ in the kingdom (Isaiah 2:3–5)

• The virgin birth of Christ (Isaiah 7:14)
• The reign of Christ (Isaiah 9:2, 7)
• Jesus’ rule over the world (Isaiah 9:4)
• Christ as a descendant of David (Isaiah 11:1, 10)
• Christ to be filled with the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; 42:1)
• Christ to judge with righteousness (Isaiah 11:3–5; 42:1, 4)
• Christ to rule over the nations (Isaiah 11:10)
• Christ to be gentle to the weak (Isaiah 42:3)
• Christ to make possible the New Covenant (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8)
• Christ to be a light to the Gentiles and to be worshiped by them (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6–7; 52:15)
• Christ to be rejected by Israel (Isaiah 49:7; 53:1–3)
• Christ to be obedient to God and subject to suffering (Isaiah 50:6; 53:7–8)
• Christ to be exalted (Isaiah 52:13; 53:12)
• Christ to restore Israel and judge the wicked (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Messianic prophecy is strong and important evidence for Jesus’ claims to be God. Isaiah’s writings were
completed many centuries before Jesus Christ was born and yet are completely accurate. Remember, the Dead
Sea Scrolls contained more than one complete scroll of this book composed well before the birth of Christ. And
the book of Isaiah was included in the Septuagint (LXX), the earliest version of the Old Testament Scriptures,
translated at least 300 years earlier.

But by far the strongest evidence that proves the unity of the book of Isaiah is that the Gospel of Matthew quotes
from both the beginning and the end of the book, attributing all of it to Isaiah.

1. Jesus quoting from Isaiah 29:13: “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings
are but rules taught by men’” (Mark 7:6–7).

2. Jesus also referenced Isaiah 42:1–4 in Matthew 12:17: “This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet
Isaiah.”

3. Isaiah is also referenced in Matthew 8:16–17 by quoting Isaiah 53:4: “This was to fulfill what was spoken
through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.’”
Aside from the passages quoted by Jesus above, several other New Testament verses refer to the prophet Isaiah
as having been the sole author: Matthew 3:3 and Luke 3:4 (Isaiah 40:3); Romans 10:16, 20 (Isaiah 53:1; 65:1); John
12:38-41 (Isaiah 53:1; 6:10). But the fact that our Lord Jesus affirmed Isaiah’s authorship by quoting from both
sections of the book and attributing them to Isaiah is proof enough of the entire book’s authorship. Those who
reject the words of the Lord Himself will never be convinced by any other means.

F O R F U RT H E R S T U DY

Isaiah, Holman Old Testament Commentary by Trent Butler

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R E L AT E D A R T I C L E S

What is the JEDP Theory?

What is the Synoptic Problem?

What is the documentary hypothesis?

Who were the authors of the books of the Bible?

What is source criticism?

Return to:

Questions about Isaiah

What is the Deutero-Isaiah theory? Was the Book of Isaiah written by multiple Isaiahs?

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This page last updated: January 4, 2022