Isaiah 2:1

KJV

¶ The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

The word {H1697} that Isaiah {H3470} the son {H1121} of Amoz {H531} saw {H2372} concerning Judah {H3063} and Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the word that Yesha'yahu the son of Amotz saw concerning Y'hudah and Yerushalayim:

Berean Standard Bible

This is the message that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

American Standard Version

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 2:1 serves as a foundational superscription, introducing a pivotal prophetic oracle within the book of Isaiah. It precisely identifies the divine origin of the message as "the word" that the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, "saw," and specifies its primary recipients and subject matter as "Judah and Jerusalem." This verse establishes the authority and scope of the profound prophecies that immediately follow, signaling a shift from general admonitions to specific visions concerning God's covenant people and their capital.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 2:1 functions as a distinct heading or title for the oracle that begins in [Isaiah 2:2](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2 - The Mountain of the Lord's House Established"). It marks a transition from the opening chapter's general indictment of Israel's rebellion and a call to repentance, setting the stage for a more focused and often eschatological prophecy concerning Judah and Jerusalem. This superscription is crucial for understanding the scope and nature of the subsequent messages, particularly the vision of the Lord's house being established as the highest mountain, drawing all nations, which immediately follows this introductory verse. It signals a shift from the immediate historical context of judgment to a future hope.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah ministered during the tumultuous 8th century BCE, a period of significant political and spiritual upheaval for the Kingdom of Judah. His prophetic career spanned the reigns of four kings—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—as indicated in [Isaiah 1:1](/isaiah/1-1 "Isaiah 1:1 - The Vision of Isaiah"). During this time, Judah faced internal corruption, idolatry, and social injustice, alongside mounting external threats from the powerful Assyrian Empire, and later, the rising Babylonian power. Jerusalem, as the capital city and site of the Temple, was not merely a political center but also the spiritual heart of the nation, symbolizing God's dwelling place among His people. The specific mention of "Judah and Jerusalem" underscores God's direct engagement with His covenant people in their historical reality.
* **Key Themes:** This introductory verse encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Authority of Prophecy**, emphasizing that Isaiah's message is not human wisdom but a direct "word" or revelation from God, received through prophetic vision. Secondly, it underscores God's enduring **Covenant with Judah and Jerusalem**, indicating His specific focus on His chosen people, despite their unfaithfulness. This focus encompasses both impending judgment and future restoration, a tension that runs through much of [Isaiah's prophecies](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Salvation"). Lastly, by introducing the subsequent vision of the "last days" (as seen in [Isaiah 2:2](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2 - The Mountain of the Lord's House")), it subtly introduces the theme of **Eschatological Hope and Universal Salvation**, where Jerusalem will ultimately become a center of worship and peace for all nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) signifies more than mere spoken utterance; it denotes a divine message, a matter, an affair, or even a decree. In a prophetic context, it emphasizes the active, authoritative, and purposeful nature of God's communication, indicating that what follows is not human opinion but a divinely ordained revelation with significant implications.
* **Saw (Hebrew, _châzâh'_):** The verb (H2372) here is crucial. It means "to gaze at," "to perceive," "to contemplate," and specifically, "to have a vision of." In prophetic literature, _châzâh_ implies a deep spiritual perception or a divine vision, suggesting that Isaiah received a direct, often visual or conceptual, revelation from God, thereby underscoring the supernatural origin and authenticity of the message.
* **Judah (Hebrew, _Yᵉhûwdâh'_):** Referring to the southern kingdom (H3063), this term identifies the primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies. It represents the descendants of Jacob who remained faithful to the Davidic covenant and held Jerusalem as their capital, signifying God's continued, albeit often challenging, relationship with His chosen people.
* **Jerusalem (Hebrew, _Yᵉrûwshâlaim'_):** The capital city of Judah (H3389), Jerusalem was the spiritual and political heart of the nation, housing the Temple. Its mention signifies the specific geographical and symbolic focus of the prophecy, often standing metonymically for the entire nation and God's dwelling place among His people, as well as the future center of His universal kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The word":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the subsequent message. It is not Isaiah's own thoughts or political commentary, but a direct communication from the Almighty.
* **"that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw":** This clause identifies the human instrument through whom the divine message was conveyed. Isaiah, whose name means "Yahweh is salvation," is presented with his lineage ("son of Amoz"), lending historical credibility. The verb "saw" (Hebrew _châzâh_) indicates a profound prophetic vision or spiritual insight, emphasizing that the message was received through divine revelation, not human observation or deduction.
* **"concerning Judah and Jerusalem":** This final phrase specifies the primary audience and subject matter of the prophecy. Judah represents the southern kingdom, and Jerusalem its capital, highlighting God's particular focus on His covenant people and their spiritual and political center, indicating that the following prophecies will directly address their condition, future, and destiny.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 2:1 functions primarily as a **superscription** or title, a common literary device in prophetic books that immediately informs the reader about the author, nature, and subject of the ensuing oracle. This sets the interpretive framework for what follows. The phrase "the word... saw" employs **synesthesia**, linking an auditory concept ("word") with a visual one ("saw"), to convey the profound, multi-sensory nature of prophetic revelation. Furthermore, the mention of "Judah and Jerusalem" serves as a **metonymy**, where the capital city and the leading tribe stand in for the entire southern kingdom and its inhabitants, effectively narrowing the focus of the prophecy while still encompassing the whole of God's covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 2:1 profoundly establishes the divine authority and revelatory nature of the prophetic message. It underscores that God is not silent but actively communicates His will and plans to humanity through chosen vessels. The specific focus on "Judah and Jerusalem" highlights God's particular covenant relationship with Israel, demonstrating His unwavering attention to His people's spiritual condition and their destiny within His overarching redemptive plan. This verse sets the stage for themes of both judgment for unfaithfulness and glorious restoration, emphasizing God's sovereignty over history and His ultimate purpose to establish His kingdom.

* [Amos 1:1](/amos/1-1 "Amos 1:1 - The Words of Amos")
* [Jeremiah 1:4-5](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4-5 - Jeremiah's Call")
* [2 Peter 1:20-21](/2_peter/1-20 "2 Peter 1:20-21 - Prophecy Not of Human Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 2:1 serves as a powerful reminder of the divine origin and authority of the Scriptures. Just as Isaiah received a direct "word" from God, so too do we encounter God's living and active word in the Bible. This calls us to approach the text not merely as ancient literature, but as God's inspired revelation, relevant for all times and all people. Recognizing that God "saw" and communicated His truth through a human vessel encourages us to listen attentively, seeking to understand His purposes and apply His timeless principles to our contemporary lives. It also reminds us that God is intimately concerned with the affairs of His people and the world, holding both individuals and nations accountable while also offering hope for future redemption and transformation. We are invited to be recipients of this divine word, allowing it to shape our worldview, guide our decisions, and inspire our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the divine origin of Scripture (as highlighted in Isaiah 2:1) impact your approach to reading and studying the Bible?**
* **In what ways do you see God's "word" actively at work in your life or in the world today, similar to how Isaiah "saw" it concerning Judah and Jerusalem?**
* **Considering Isaiah's specific focus on Judah and Jerusalem, how can we apply God's messages to ancient Israel to our contemporary contexts, whether personal, communal, or national?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the word that Isaiah... saw"?**

Answer: This phrase is highly significant as it establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the prophecy. The Hebrew word for "word" (_dâbâr_) implies a message with inherent power and purpose, originating from God. The verb "saw" (_châzâh_) is a technical term in prophetic literature, signifying a spiritual perception or a divine vision, not merely physical sight. It means Isaiah received a direct revelation from God, often in a visual or conceptual form, much like the visions granted to other prophets such as [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory") or [Amos](/amos/1-1 "Amos 1:1 - The Words of Amos"). This underscores that the subsequent prophecies are not Isaiah's personal opinions or political analyses, but God's revealed truth, ensuring their trustworthiness and ultimate fulfillment.

**Why is "Judah and Jerusalem" specifically mentioned as the subject of this prophecy?**

Answer: The specific mention of "Judah and Jerusalem" highlights the primary audience and geographical focus of Isaiah's prophetic ministry. Judah was the southern kingdom, the remnant of Israel that maintained the Davidic covenant, and Jerusalem was its capital, serving as the spiritual and political heart of the nation where the Temple stood. This focus emphasizes God's particular concern and ongoing covenant relationship with His chosen people, even amidst their spiritual decline and external threats. Isaiah's prophecies directly address their unfaithfulness, impending judgments, and promises of future restoration and glory, as seen in the subsequent vision of the Lord's house being established in [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House"). This localized focus serves as a microcosm for God's dealings with all humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 2:1, though an Old Testament superscription, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "word" that Isaiah "saw" concerning Judah and Jerusalem ultimately points to the incarnate Word of God Himself, Jesus Christ, who is the full and final revelation of God to humanity ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh") and [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Just as Isaiah's message was divinely inspired and authoritative, so too is Christ the perfect embodiment of God's truth and purpose. The prophecies concerning Jerusalem, particularly the vision of the mountain of the Lord's house drawing all nations (immediately following in [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House")), find their spiritual fulfillment in the establishment of the Church, which is the new Jerusalem ([Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem")), built upon Christ, the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ became the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), extending salvation beyond ethnic Judah and Jerusalem to all who believe, fulfilling the promise that from Zion would go forth the law and the word of the Lord ([Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12 "Romans 10:12-13 - No Distinction Between Jew and Gentile")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 1:1

¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Isaiah 13:1

¶ The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

Amos 1:1

¶ The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Habakkuk 1:1

¶ The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

Micah 1:1

¶ The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Micah 6:9

¶ The LORD'S voice crieth unto the city, and [the man of] wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.