The best known and probably the greatest of the prophetic books, many of whose prophecies are fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. It contains many famous sayings, such as the promise 'To us a child is born' (9:6) or the prediction of Jesus' death, 'he was pierced for our transgressions' (53:5). It has also inspired many artists and writers, as for example in Handel's Messiah. The book as a whole, however, is more concerned with ancient Israel than with the future Messiah. Its prophecies belong to at least two periods in Israel's history. Much of chapters 1-39 is set in Judah in the eighth century  BC and chapters 40-55 in the Babylonian exile in the later sixth century  BC. The final section (chapters 56-66) is more difficult to place, and could belong to the eighth, sixth or fifth centuries  BC. Because of these different backgrounds, it has often been thought that the book is the work of more than one prophet. On the other hand, if the book is understood as a whole, it could be either the work of the eighth-century Isaiah or a later literary collection based on his prophecies. The book contains a remarkable mixture of God's judgement and promises. Chapters 1-39 speak of God's punishment of Judah through the Assyrians (chapter 10) and Babylonians (chapter 39) because it is rotten from the sole of the foot to the top of the head (1:6). Its people are guilty of pride, violence and social injustice, though similar criticisms are also applied to the nations generally (24:1-6). At the same time, Isaiah promises the coming of a new kingdom of God in a world completely at peace, beautifully symbolized by a wolf lying down with a lamb (11:1-9). The theme of hope is developed more fully in chapters 40-66, which speak of release from exile for the Jews in Babylon (44:24-45:7) and salvation for people of all nations (45:22-3). This is made possible by God's Suffering Servant, who will die not just for Israel's sins but for those of all people (52:13-53:12). Consistent with this universal vision is the affirmation that there is only one God (45:5-6,18,21) who will create a new people comprising Jews and Gentiles and ultimately new heavens and a new earth (65:17; 66:22).