Skip to content ↓

Best Commentaries on Isaiah

This page is current as of December 2023.

For recommendations on other books and an introduction to this series, visit
Best Commentaries on Each Book of the Bible.

Isaiah

J. Alec Motyer – The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary. Motyer has written a couple of commentaries on Isaiah; this is the longer and better of the two and should not be confused with his contribution to the Tyndale Commentary on the Old Testament (though that one is also worth consulting). It is widely regarded as the best, or at least one of the best, commentaries on Isaiah and a must for any theological library. Tremper Longman says, “It represents the best of conservative evangelical approach to the book at the end of the twentieth century” and praises it for being well-researched, well thought-out, and especially helpful in theological matters. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

John Oswalt – The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1-39, The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66 (New International Commentary on the Old Testament). Like Motyler, Oswalt has written multiple volumes on Isaiah. His contribution to the NIVAC is regarded as top-notch but this, his entry in the NICOT, is far more thorough. Keith Mathison says, “The completion of John Oswalt’s commentary on Isaiah in 1998 was a major blessing to the Christian church. This work, which replaced E. J. Young’s older three-volume commentary on Isaiah in the NICOT series, is a model of careful evangelical scholarship. It should be on the desk of every student of the Old Testament.” (Amazon: Volume 1, Volume 2; Westminster Books: Volume 1, Volume 2; Logos: Volume 1, Volume 2)

Edward Young – The Book of Isaiah (3 Volume Set). While this set is no longer part of the NICOT, it is still regarded as one of the finest commentaries on Isaiah. While the commentators on the commentaries note that Young’s writing can be tedious at times, the volumes are commended for their sound exegesis and their firmly evangelical theology. The volumes are now sold together as a three-book set. The price is a bit on the high side, but it will prove worth the cost, I am sure. (Amazon)

G.W. Grogan – Isaiah (Revised Expositor’s Bible Commentary). I found many of the experts commending this volume from Grogan. Longman says, “Grogan has produced one of the best short commentaries on the prophet Isaiah” and commends him for being adept at bringing out the theological meaning of the book. He also presents a strong argument for the authorial unity of the book. This one will probably not be necessary if you own the three above. (Amazon, Logos)

Barry Webb – The Message of Isaiah (The Bible Speaks Today). I always like to include at least one volume written for a general or devotional reader, and in this case, Webb’s is a good fit. Mathison says, “Those who are looking for a brief non-technical commentary on the book of Isaiah would do well to consider the volume by Barry Webb in the Bible Speaks Today series. Although the series does not give the space to go into great detail, Webb makes the most of it and offers very illuminating insight into the text.” (Amazon)


  • The Phrase that Altered My Thinking Forever

    This week the blog is sponsored by P&R Publishing and is written by Ralph Cunnington. Years ago, I stumbled repeatedly on an ancient phrase that altered my thinking forever.  Distinct yet inseparable. The first time I encountered this phrase was while studying the Council of Chalcedon’s description of the two natures of Christ. Soon after,…

  • Always Look for the Light

    Always Look for the Light

    For many years there was a little potted plant on our kitchen window sill, though I’ve long since forgotten the variety. Year after year that plant would put out a shoot and from the shoot would emerge a single flower. And I observed that no matter how I turned the pot, the flower would respond.…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 18)

    A La Carte: God is good and does good—even in our pain / Dear bride and groom / Sin won’t comfort you / Worthy of the gospel / From self-sufficiency to trusting God’s people / The gods fight for our devotion / and more.

  • Confidence

    God Takes Us Into His Confidence

    Here is another Sunday devotional—a brief thought to orient your heart toward the Lord. God takes the initiative in establishing relationship by reaching out to helpless humanity. He reveals himself to the creatures he has made. But what does it mean for him to provide such revelation of himself? John Calvin began his Institutes by…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (March 16)

    A La Carte: I believe in the death of Julius Caesar and the resurrection of Jesus Christ / Reasons students and pastors shouldn’t use ChatGPT / A 1.3 gigpixel photo of a supernova / What two raw vegans taught me about sharing Jesus / If we realize we’re undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive /…

  • Ask Pastor John

    Ask Pastor John

    I admit it: I felt a little skeptical about Ask Pastor John. To be fair, I feel skeptical about most books that begin in one medium before making the leap to another. Books based on sermons, for example, can often be pretty disappointing—a powerful sermon at a conference can make a bland chapter in a…