To the uninstructed reader the book of Isaiah can be rather confusing-it seems to be composed of poems and narrative combined haphazardly not by one, but by several authors. Even scholars disagree on its authorship, dating, structure, and meaning. This book is a study guide for laypeople and students-an attempt to answer the perplex-ing questions raised by studying Isaiah.

Throughout the book William Holladay affirms the theo-logical unity within Isaiah, while discerning and emphasiz-ing the variety of voices found there. Although there were several "Isaiahs," each writing with his specific world situation in mind, the total picture is of a prophetic tradi-tion which recognized that God was king of Israel.