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Understanding Isaiah
What is it about the writings of Isaiah that causes many of us to be overcome by feelings of dread and trepidation? With this new book, no student of the Bible or Book of Mormon has need to fear. In Understanding Isaiah, the authors break down the otherwise formidable words of Isaiah into small bites that can be absorbed, pondered, and comprehended. Unlike other works on Isaiah, this book goes beyond commentary and actually includes the verses of text comprising not only the King James Version of the Bible but also the Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Mormon, presenting the most correct translation available today. The text is presented in the same couplet format as it was likely originally written. The authors examine each unit of thought individually, likening it to our modern-day life and presenting definitions and explanations of meaning based on thorough study of the Hebrew language. The result is a comprehensive, accessible reference work that imparts readers an unprecedented understanding of Isaiah. (6' x 9', 720 pages)
659 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1998
82 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Donald W. Parry
70 books19 followersDonald W. Parry, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Dead Sea Scrolls at Brigham Young University, is married to Camille Mills, from Las Vegas, Nevada; they have six children. He has served as a member of the International Team of Translators of the Dead Sea Scrolls since 1994. He has authored or edited thirty-three books, ten of which pertain to the scrolls and five deal with the writings of Isaiah. Parry has also published articles in journals, festschrifts, conference proceedings, and encyclopedias. He is also a member of several other professional organizations, including the International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament, Groningen, The Netherlands, Society for Biblical Literature, Atlanta, Georgia, and the National Association of Professors of Hebrew, Madison, Wisconsin. Parry presently serves as a member of the Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation Board of Trustees.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 6, 2011
I finally finished this book. It took me a year or so-reading a few chapters a week. It has the actual King James Bible text of Isaiah with exhaustive explanation and research right next to it. It really is a masterpiece best taken in tiny increments. It really made this masterful literature applicable to me and understandable. Brilliant analysis by the authors.
November 6, 2019
If you are like the plethora of people out there who, like I was, really wants to understand the incredible imagery of Isaiah but just keeps hitting brick wall along the way, this is an absolute must read! It takes you through every part of all 66 chapters and breaks it apart piece by piece. By the 30th or 40th chapter I had learned to notice the patterns Isaiah uses and understand it much more easily on my own, though I still did use this book as an indispensable guide. Worth much more than it sells for!
April 5, 2025
Finally finished my long, slow study of Isaiah!!! 🥳🥳🥳 I doubt I would've learned as much without this book because Isaiah is all poetry and imagery and metaphors, all of which are harder for me to read. Highly recommend this as a study tool!
September 13, 2023
This is a must-have book in my library. Mostly for Scripture consultations, etc. I also enjoy learning what Isaiah prophesied pertaining to our present day. The book has commentary to the line by line Isaiah scriptures. The commentary comes from Brigham Young University religions dept. Professors, very helpful in understanding the writing style of Isaiah. This is a worthwhile book for understanding so much that is happening in our present times. Isaiah saw us and knows our doings.
January 19, 2011
We got this book when we were studying Isaiah in our home evening class with George & Diana Black. It really helped because it explains every phrase and every chapter of Isaiah. It's a huge tome, but a good reference for really getting a grasp of this Old Testament prophet's writings.
May 5, 2009
I wanted a book to explain Isaiah and most of the books I found just dumbed it down. I was glad I found this one because it didn't dumb is down. It was a great read, I highly suggest it.
May 13, 2017
Wow, I'm really liking this book! I'm only in the middle of the first chapter of Isaiah, but already I see a great big difference in my understanding of the doctrine. This is a great book!
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January 19, 2012Doing a little light reading...
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April 4, 2016It was a long read but very informational and made the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament much easier to understand and more enjoyable to read.
February 21, 2022
I’ve always been intimidated by Isaiah. In the Book of Mormon, the Savior says ,“Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah”(3 Nephi 23:1). Okay then, it’s clear that Isaiah’s words are important and I should study them. But where to start?
I’m very happy I found this book. It goes verse by verse explaining some of the symbolism and history behind Isaiah’s words. I studied it side by side and read the whole book of Isaiah and here’s what I learned:
1. Isaiah writes poetry. If you’ve ever dissected a poem in school or studied Shakespeare, then don’t worry. Just as Shakespeare isn’t talking about a literal rose when he says, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” Isaiah isn’t talking about literal trees when he says the amount of trees will be so few a child could count them. (In this context, trees=people. Isaiah 10:20). Once you accept that it’s poetry, you can start thinking metaphorically.
2. You don’t have to know Israelite history to understand Isaiah. Yeah, it’s great if you know that Pul and Lud are ancient North African nations. But all you really need to understand is that Isaiah’s making a big ol’ list of a bunch of countries to illustrate that the gospel is going to spread to all nations (Isaiah 66:19).
3. The Book of Isaiah is just that—a book. Just like a novel wouldn’t make sense if you jumped from chapter 55 to 14 to 22, this Book has a logical flow and makes a lot more sense read in order. For someone who only ever read random verses when they came up in church or seminary that surprised me more than it should.
I’m very happy I found this book. It goes verse by verse explaining some of the symbolism and history behind Isaiah’s words. I studied it side by side and read the whole book of Isaiah and here’s what I learned:
1. Isaiah writes poetry. If you’ve ever dissected a poem in school or studied Shakespeare, then don’t worry. Just as Shakespeare isn’t talking about a literal rose when he says, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” Isaiah isn’t talking about literal trees when he says the amount of trees will be so few a child could count them. (In this context, trees=people. Isaiah 10:20). Once you accept that it’s poetry, you can start thinking metaphorically.
2. You don’t have to know Israelite history to understand Isaiah. Yeah, it’s great if you know that Pul and Lud are ancient North African nations. But all you really need to understand is that Isaiah’s making a big ol’ list of a bunch of countries to illustrate that the gospel is going to spread to all nations (Isaiah 66:19).
3. The Book of Isaiah is just that—a book. Just like a novel wouldn’t make sense if you jumped from chapter 55 to 14 to 22, this Book has a logical flow and makes a lot more sense read in order. For someone who only ever read random verses when they came up in church or seminary that surprised me more than it should.
March 2, 2017
3.5 stars.
This book is helpful as a reference to the book of Isaiah. I appreciated the reprinting of the chapters in a more poetic format with the "couplets" more noticeable in italics and underlining. I think that may have been the most helpful thing I will remember when I'm reading Isaiah's writings on my own. I read this as a companion to my scripture study, generally reading one chapter per day. I have to admit I got really bored after about a month and a half. I found myself much more interested in reading the Isaiah chapter than the related chapter in this book. That being said, that just might be part of the goal of the book -- to get the reader to start understanding Isaiah on his/her own. About halfway through I decided I'd like to make my own commentary like this the next time I read through Isaiah. Verse by verse, phrase by phrase. Could be fun and interesting.
Overall, this book is well laid out, full of insight and information, and quite helpful for learning how to read Isaiah's words and get something out of them. It is not a very good look at what the people living during Isaiah's time may have understood him to be prophesying about, nor does it give much context for the historical times. This is also not the stated objective of this book. This book is written with the modern Latter-day Saint in mind. I will probably continue to reference this when needed, but I doubt I will read it all the way through again. I will also look into some of the other commentaries these authors referenced.
This book is helpful as a reference to the book of Isaiah. I appreciated the reprinting of the chapters in a more poetic format with the "couplets" more noticeable in italics and underlining. I think that may have been the most helpful thing I will remember when I'm reading Isaiah's writings on my own. I read this as a companion to my scripture study, generally reading one chapter per day. I have to admit I got really bored after about a month and a half. I found myself much more interested in reading the Isaiah chapter than the related chapter in this book. That being said, that just might be part of the goal of the book -- to get the reader to start understanding Isaiah on his/her own. About halfway through I decided I'd like to make my own commentary like this the next time I read through Isaiah. Verse by verse, phrase by phrase. Could be fun and interesting.
Overall, this book is well laid out, full of insight and information, and quite helpful for learning how to read Isaiah's words and get something out of them. It is not a very good look at what the people living during Isaiah's time may have understood him to be prophesying about, nor does it give much context for the historical times. This is also not the stated objective of this book. This book is written with the modern Latter-day Saint in mind. I will probably continue to reference this when needed, but I doubt I will read it all the way through again. I will also look into some of the other commentaries these authors referenced.
September 3, 2020
This is probably the most helpful resource for understanding the Book of Isaiah that I have ever read. There was an enormous amount of extremely helpful information, including references to other scriptures, other passages in Isaiah, other helpful Bible translations of difficult passages, references from the JST, the Book of Mormon, paraphrases and quotations of Isaiah in the New Testament, and the teachings of modern prophets. It also had a lot of help information relating to the Hebrew language, geography, poetry, parallelism, prophetic patterns and formulas for writing, symbolism, etc. A veritable wealth of information that makes many difficult passages of Isaiah much easier to understand.
I highly recommend this book to any member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who wants to understand the Book of Isaiah better.
I highly recommend this book to any member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who wants to understand the Book of Isaiah better.
December 2, 2020
This is not a book you read from beginning to end. But rather a resource during the study of the book of Isaiah. My favorite part of this book is the way the verses are written in poetic verse form. The insights to the culture & traditions of that period of time really help to understand each line .
I didn't give it five stars because it's a little repetitious.
I didn't give it five stars because it's a little repetitious.
October 12, 2018
This is an excellent resource to have on the shelf, but a bit dry for a straight read-through. Lots of wonderful insights.
September 7, 2020
Everyone who wants to understand Isaiah should read and study this book - it took me 3 years and I gained an undeniable testimony of Christ as I did so.
November 3, 2021
The best Isaiah study guide I've seen.
March 31, 2024
Every time I read Isaiah verses I refer back to this book!
July 6, 2025
I have been intimidated by Isaiah until now. This book opened my eyes. Grateful to use it in my teaching of young adults.
November 30, 2012
If you've ever, or always, groan when you get to the teachings of Isaiah, then this is a book you should take time to read. I've struggled through Isaiah for my whole life and finally decided (based on the fact that Jesus quoted Isaiah and commanded us to study the words of Isaiah) that I need to have an understanding of and love of this book of scripture.
Understanding Isaiah was not a simple book I worked at it for months really wanting to gain an understanding of Isaiah's teachings. But the book is well thought out and organized. There are lots of historical comments, scripture cross-references and thought provoking ideas. The author chose to put Isaiah's words back into the lined poetry that Isaiah would have written them in-that change alone helped tremendously.
I feel like I really accomplished something in finishing this book. The first 2/3 of this project was hard for me. Everything I read was depressing and disturbing and made me feel so lousy about this world and it's decline. But the last 1/3 made me hopeful, excited and grateful to be a part of the Lord's work in the Latter-days!
This one is a must study.
Understanding Isaiah was not a simple book I worked at it for months really wanting to gain an understanding of Isaiah's teachings. But the book is well thought out and organized. There are lots of historical comments, scripture cross-references and thought provoking ideas. The author chose to put Isaiah's words back into the lined poetry that Isaiah would have written them in-that change alone helped tremendously.
I feel like I really accomplished something in finishing this book. The first 2/3 of this project was hard for me. Everything I read was depressing and disturbing and made me feel so lousy about this world and it's decline. But the last 1/3 made me hopeful, excited and grateful to be a part of the Lord's work in the Latter-days!
This one is a must study.
February 8, 2016
This book is a great companion for LDS readers of Isaiah. In the introduction, it specifically says that the book is not intended to be read cover to cover, which I disregarded. However, that advice is probably right. This is very much a text book on Isaiah and should be used more as reference for specific passages or chapters that you'd like to know more about. Each chapter starts with a brief section devoted to applying the corresponding Isaiah chapter to modern-day, LDS readers. Then it goes into a synopsis of the actual Isaiah chapter, followed by the verses mostly in King James Version prose, but with some JST added in. Then the book examines the scripture verse by verse using a variety of sources and translations to explain the meanings, context, and symbolism of the scriptures.
After reading this, along with my reading of Isaiah separately, I do believe I have a better understanding of Isaiah. The reminder of the historical events taking place helps put things into context and, of course, knowing who all the different people and where all the places are helps a lot as well.
After reading this, along with my reading of Isaiah separately, I do believe I have a better understanding of Isaiah. The reminder of the historical events taking place helps put things into context and, of course, knowing who all the different people and where all the places are helps a lot as well.
January 8, 2010
Eight days late, but I finished this book to go along with my scripture study in 2009.
I hate to admit it, but most of the time I when I read Isaiah in the Book of Mormon I either skimmed over it as fast as I could or I just skipped it. I was missing out. I understand better Nephi's love for Isaiah's words better now. His words written 2500 years ago were written about this day and this time. No wonder Nephi, Moroni, the Savior, and many other prophets tell us to read Isaiah's words, to ponder them, and understand them. There is much to learn, to be reminded of, and to feel so that we can choose--judgment or mercy.
I hate to admit it, but most of the time I when I read Isaiah in the Book of Mormon I either skimmed over it as fast as I could or I just skipped it. I was missing out. I understand better Nephi's love for Isaiah's words better now. His words written 2500 years ago were written about this day and this time. No wonder Nephi, Moroni, the Savior, and many other prophets tell us to read Isaiah's words, to ponder them, and understand them. There is much to learn, to be reminded of, and to feel so that we can choose--judgment or mercy.
October 21, 2012
Isaiah is the only book in the scriptures that Jesus Christ specifically named when he commanded us to "search the scriptures". I have read it many times, but it is not easy to understand. The more I read, the more questions I have! This book helps make some of the more difficult passages of Isaiah clear. I recomend it as a companion to Isaiah, to be read in concert.
February 28, 2015
I was looking for a book to help me decipher Isaiah and this one was excellent, likely my favorite of all I looked through. I liked how it went through verse by verse with explanations so I could study just the verses I needed at anytime. It had great historical and literary insights. Great resource if you really want to dig your heels in and understand Isaiah.
August 13, 2008
Thick book, but well worth the time and effort. Put the difficult chapters into perspective. The main reason we don't understand is because he talks in a historical and colloquial style that we don't understand. This book puts that conversation into context.
December 28, 2008
Pretty good. Especially good as a source of etymological tidbits. Found myself wanting more in the way of literary analysis and historical background. Kinda wish Michael Wilcox would publish a book on Isaiah.
July 13, 2009
I absolutely love this book!! It has all of these cross references, explanations, and quotes from modern day prophets. Also, it has the whole chapter written down, then it breaks it apart and goes further into detail =0)
March 14, 2011
I bought this to use as a study help the LAST time we were reading the Old Testament. It's a fabulous way to read the book of Isaiah.
I'm not really "done" with the book but will be returning to it again and again.
I'm not really "done" with the book but will be returning to it again and again.
May 27, 2012
Read the book, but I still don't understand Isaiah.
Okay, that's harsh - I did learn some cool stuff, but all in all, I don't think this is the most useful book written for this purpose. Not bad, but not the be-all end-all, by any means.
Okay, that's harsh - I did learn some cool stuff, but all in all, I don't think this is the most useful book written for this purpose. Not bad, but not the be-all end-all, by any means.
April 5, 2012
A very useful treatise on how to study and understand the words of the prophet Christ himself declared: "Great are the Words...". A study tool as opposed to a reader. I have a far better understanding now than before!
May 17, 2012
Bought this book 10 years ago and it took me about 2 years to read it once I started. It's really more of a reference book than something enjoyable to read straight through but has a lot of good insight.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews