Understanding Isaiah can be difficult. We'll dive into 3 things that can help you understand the Book of Isaiah a little more. You'll learn more about chiasmus, types, and symbolism. For additional help, purchase the book Isaiah Made Easier by David Ridges. 

First, let's talk about Isaiah himself. When did Isaiah’s ministry occur? Isaiah began his ministry about 740 B.C. He continued until about 701 B.C. He is one of the greatest prophets who ever lived.

Chiasmus

What is Chiasmus? It is a writing form in which the author says certain things and then intentionally repeats them in reverse order for emphasis. Chiasmus was not discovered by scholars until after the time the Book of Mormon was published.

Often, but not necessarily always, the pivot point or midpoint of the chiasmus is the main message. For example, in the chiasmus used by Isaiah in the first eight verses of Isaiah chapter 3, the main message is found in verse 5, where he emphasizes that when a society collapses because of wickedness, everyone is persecuted and oppressed by everyone else. 

Types

Next, we'll talk about "types." The word “type” means something that is symbolic of something else. For example, both Joseph who was sold into Egypt and Isaac were “types” of Christ; in other words, many things that happened to them were symbolic of the Savior. The following charts show some of the ways in which these great prophets were “types” of Christ:

Isaiah also uses symbolism in his writing. One example is in Isaiah chapter 9. Symbolism here can include that Assyria would represent the devil and his evil, prideful ways. King Ahaz could symbolize foolish and wicked people who make alliances with the devil or his evil ways and naively think that they are thus protected from destruction spiritually and often physically.

Symbolism in Scriptures

Colors

Red: sins; bloodshed (Example: Rev. 6:4; D&C 133:51)

Blue: heaven; godliness; remembering and keeping God’s commandments (Example: Numbers 15:37–40) green life; nature (Example: Rev. 8:7)

Amber: sun; light; divine glory (Example: D&C 110:2, Rev. 1:15, Ezek. 1:4,

27; 8:2)

Scarlet: royalty (Example: Dan. 5:29; Matt. 27:28–29)

Silver: worth, but less than gold (Example: Ridges, Isaiah Made Easier, Isa. 48:10 notes)

Gold: the best; exaltation (Example: Rev. 4:4)

Body Parts

Eye: perception; light and knowledge

Head: governing

Ears: obedience; hearing

Mouth: speaking

Hair: modesty; covering

Members: offices and callings

Heart: inner man; courage

Hands: action, acting

Right Hand: covenant hand; making covenants

Bowels: center of emotion; whole being

Loins: posterity; preparing for action (gird up your loins)

Liver: center of feeling 

Toe: associated with cleansing rites (Example: Lev. 14:17)

Nose: anger (Example: 2 Sam. 22:16; Job 4:9)

Tongue: speaking

Blood: life of the body

Knee: humility; submission

Shoulder: strength; effort

Forehead: total dedication, loyalty (Example: Rev. 14:1—loyalty to God); Rev. 13:16 (loyalty to wickedness, Satan)

Numbers

1: unity; God

3: God; Godhead; A word repeated 3 times means superlative, “the most” or “the best” (See Isaiah 6:3).

4: mankind; earth (see Smith’s Bible Dictionary, p. 456). (Example: Rev. 7:1. Four angels over four parts of the earth)

7: completeness; perfection. When man lets God help, it leads to perfection. (man + God = perfection) 4 + 3 = 7

10: numerical perfection; well-organized (Example: Ten Commandments, tithing) (Example: Satan is well-organized, Rev. 13:1)

12: divine government; God’s organization (Example: JST Rev. 5:6)

40 days: literal; sometimes means “a long time” as in 1 Samuel 17:16

forever en dless can sometimes be a specific period or age, not endless

(see BYU Religious Studies Center Newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 3, May 1994)

209

Other

Horse: victory; power to conquer (Example: Rev. 19:11; Jer. 8:16)

Donkey: peace (Example: Christ came in peace at the Triumphal Entry)

Palms: joy; triumph, victory (Example: John 12:13; Rev. 7:9)

Wings: power to move, act, etc. (Example: Rev. 4:8; D&C 77:4)

Crown: power; dominion; exaltation (Example: Rev. 2:10; 4:4)

Robes: royalty; kings, queens; exaltation (Example: Rev. 6:11, 7:14; 2 Ne. 9:14; D&C 109:76; 3 Ne. 11:8)

 Purchase  Isaiah Made Easier by David Ridges.