What is the Deutero-Isaiah theory?

Answer

Most conservative Bible scholars agree that Isaiah was the sole author of the book that bears his name. However, some liberal scholars are skeptical about anything indicating supernatural inspiration of the Bible. They even suggest re-dating fulfilled prophecies in these books to after the events occurred. The theory of multiple Isaiahs is an example of skepticism from those questioning the Bible as God’s inspired Word.

The theory of “Deutero-Isaiah” (or Second Isaiah) emerged near the end of the eighteenth century. Allegedly, Isaiah wrote only the first 39 chapters, with one of his students composing the second part (chapters 40–66) sometime after the Babylonian captivity began (after 586 BC). This later date could account for explicit mentions of “Cyrus, King of Persia” in Isaiah 44:28–45:1 without necessitating predictive prophecy.

The “Deutero-Isaiah” theory posits that Isaiah chapters 40–55 lack personal details of the prophet Isaiah compared to chapters 1–39. The first section recounts various stories of Isaiah, particularly his interactions with kings and others in Jerusalem. The theory further argues that the style and language of Isaiah 40–55 appear notably distinct from the earlier chapters. What makes this argument intriguing is that it is also supported by authors advocating for a single author of the book! One argument is that specific references to Cyrus arose from the Babylonian exiles’ experiences. The strongest contention asserts that the latter part of Isaiah was composed later because only a later date can justify the accuracy of the prophecy.

Once more, most reputable Bible scholars dismiss the “Deutero-Isaiah” theory. Their findings include the similarity in writing styles across both sections, the cons…Consistent use of the same words throughout, and the author’s familiarity with Israel, but not Babylon. Furthermore, Jewish tradition uniformly attributes 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 «Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. », (Isaiah 7:14)

• The reign of Christ «The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. », (Isaiah 9:2,7) «Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. », (Isaiah 9:2,7)

• Jesus’ rule over the world «For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. », (Isaiah 11:1,10) “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”, (Isaiah 11:1,10)

• Christ to be filled with the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 42:1)

• Christ to judge with righteousness (Isaiah 11:3-5; 42:1,4)

• Christ to rule over the nations “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”, (Isaiah 11:10)

• Christ to be gentle to the weak “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.”, (Isaiah 42:3)

• Christ to make possible the New Covenant (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:8)

• Christ to be a light to the Gentiles and to be worshiped by them (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6-7; 52:15)

• Christ to be rejected by Israel (Isaiah 49:7; Isaiah 53:1-3)

• C

Christ was obedient to God and subjected to suffering (Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:7-8).

• Christ was to be exalted (Isaiah 52:13; Isaiah 53:12).

• Christ was to restore Israel and judge the wicked (Isaiah 61:1-3).

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

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence supporting 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 quoted 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 the sole author: Matthew 3:3 and Luke 3:4 «The voice of

Him that crieth in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3); Romans 10:16, 20 (Isaiah 53:1; Isaiah 65:1); John 12:38-41 (Isaiah 53:1; Isaiah 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.