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Matching Books with Isaiah

Every book in the Bible uniquely matches a chapter in the book of Isaiah. The first pass at matching the books and chapters happened with 3" x 5" note cards and took several months to finish. A Discovery Story in the [Home] section tells the story of learning to think to use Isaiah this way.

Memory Game

If you've ever played the children's game Memory the process for matching the books of the Bible with the chapters of Isaiah works the same.

Memory is a deck of picture cards. Every card in the deck has a matching card. To play you shuffle the cards and place them face down. The first player turns over two cards. If the cards match he/she keeps them and gets another turn. If the cards do not match they are placed face down again and the next player goes. The game continues until all the cards are matched.

In the realm of the Bible the deck of memory cards are the books of the Bible and the chapters of Isaiah. Each book in the Bible has content that uniquely matches a chapter in Isaiah. The outcome of simply matching books and chapters is a book order defined by scripture. Such a book order is unique and akin to an inspired book order.

Example Matches

The best way to understand how the books and chapters match is to simply run through as many examples as we can squeeze into this introduction. You'll soon have a taste for how this works.

Isaiah 2 and Exodus

Exodus is the story of "exiting" Egypt and meeting with Yahvah at Mt. Sinai to receive the call, the law and build the tabernacle, God's portable house. The pivotal chapter in the book is probably the point when the Israelites arrive at Mt. Sinai after crossing the Red Sea.

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1בַּחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י לְצֵ֥את בְּנֵי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה בָּ֖אוּ מִדְבַּ֥ר סִינָֽי׃ 2וַיִּסְע֣וּ מֵרְפִידִ֗ים וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ מִדְבַּ֣ר סִינַ֔י וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וַיִּֽחַן־ שָׁ֥ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל נֶ֥גֶד הָהָֽר׃ (WLC)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. (KJV)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1In month 3, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. (KJV/NC)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2And when they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mount. (ASV)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1IN the third month after the departure of the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, on the same day they came to the wilderness of Seen. 2Then they journeyed from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mountain. (LAM)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2And when they set out from Reph'idim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. (RSV)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt -- on the very day -- they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.(NIV)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1In the third month after the children of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. (WEB)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1In the third month after the children of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. (WEB/HNV)

2 Exodus 19:1-2 1IN the 3rd month after the departure of the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, on the same day they came to the wilderness of Seen. 2Then they journeyed from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mountain. (BRB)

The rest of Exodus 19 states that Israel was chosen from the nations of the world to be a priest to the nations of the world. Then in Exodus 20 the Ten Commandments are given. By Exodus 25 the book focuses on the process of building Yahvah a tabernacle with a brief pause for the golden calf debacle.

Isaiah 2 begins with a well known passage that hits all the high-level themes in the book of Exodus. Here's an excerpt from the longer passage.

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2וְהָיָ֣ה׀ בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית הַיָּמִ֗ים נָכ֨וֹן יִֽהְיֶ֜ה הַ֤ר בֵּית־ יְהוָה֙ בְּרֹ֣אשׁ הֶהָרִ֔ים וְנִשָּׂ֖א מִגְּבָע֑וֹת וְנָהֲר֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו כָּל־ הַגּוֹיִֽם׃ 3וְֽהָלְכ֞וּ עַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים וְאָמְרוּ֙ לְכ֣וּ׀ וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה אֶל־ הַר־ יְהוָ֗ה אֶל־ בֵּית֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְיֹרֵ֙נוּ֙ מִדְּרָכָ֔יו וְנֵלְכָ֖ה בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו כִּ֤י מִצִּיּוֹן֙ תֵּצֵ֣א תוֹרָ֔ה וּדְבַר־ יְהוָ֖ה מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (WLC)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORDS house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (KJV)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (KJV/NC)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. (ASV)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established above the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall look to it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (LAM)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, 3and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (RSV)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

3Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (NIV)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of Yahweh's house shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be raised above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.

3Many peoples shall go and say,
'ComeP , let's go up to the mountain of Yahweh,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
And he will teach us of his ways,
And we will walk in his paths.(WEB)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
and all nations shall flow to it.

3Many peoples shall go and say,
'Come, let's go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
and he will teach us of his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.'(WEB/HNV)

13 Isaiah 2:2-3 2And it will come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of Yahvah's house will be established above the mountains, and will be exalted above the hills; and all nations will look to it. 3And many people will go and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahvah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of Yahvah from Jerusalem. (BRB)

The "mountain" is clearly present in this quote as is the "law" and the "house of God," all themes from the book of Exodus. Much of the rest of Isaiah 2 also matches themes from Exodus including the golden calf story. On the strength of these several correlations, Isaiah 2 and Exodus are a strong match.

Isaiah 15 and Lamentations

Lamentations is the book in the Bible about crying. It's even named as such. And when you read Lamentations it's clear how sad the captivity of the Jews and the destruction of Jerusalem was. Lamentations even equates the taking of people from Jerusalem to Babylon as falling from heaven to earth (Lamentations 2:1). The opening verses of Lamentations reveal the tone of sadness present throughout the book.

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1אֵיכָ֣ה׀ יָשְׁבָ֣ה בָדָ֗ד הָעִיר֙ רַבָּ֣תִי עָ֔ם הָיְתָ֖ה כְּאַלְמָנָ֑ה רַבָּ֣תִי בַגּוֹיִ֗ם שָׂרָ֙תִי֙ בַּמְּדִינ֔וֹת הָיְתָ֖ה לָמַֽס׃

2בָּכ֨וֹ תִבְכֶּ֜ה בַּלַּ֗יְלָה וְדִמְעָתָהּ֙ עַ֣ל לֶֽחֱיָ֔הּ אֵֽין־ לָ֥הּ מְנַחֵ֖ם מִכָּל־ אֹהֲבֶ֑יהָ כָּל־ רֵעֶ֙יהָ֙ בָּ֣גְדוּ בָ֔הּ הָ֥יוּ לָ֖הּ לְאֹיְבִֽים׃ (WLC)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people how is she become as a widow she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary 2She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. (KJV)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people how is she become as a widow she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary 2She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. (KJV/NC)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people!

She is become as a widow, that was great among the nations!

She that was a princess among the provinces is become tributary!

2She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks;(ASV)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1HOW does the city sit solitary that was full of people! How is she become like a widow! She that was so great among the nations, and she that was a princess of the cities has become a tributary! 2She weeps bitterly in the night, and her tears run on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies. (LAM)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the cities has become a vassal. 2She weeps bitterly in the night, tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies. (RSV)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave. 2Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is none to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies. (NIV)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people!

She has become as a widow, who was great among the nations!

She who was a princess among the provinces is become tributary!

2She weeps sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks;(WEB)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1How the city sits solitary, that was full of people!

She has become as a widow, who was great among the nations!

She who was a princess among the provinces is become tributary!

2She weeps sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks;(WEB/HNV)

15 Lamentations 1:1-2 1HOW does the city sit solitary that was full of people. How is she become like a widow. She that was so great among the nations, and she that was a princess of the cities has become a tributary. 2She weeps bitterly in the night, and her tears run on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies. (BRB)

Of the 66 chapters in Isaiah one is an amazing match to Lamentations simply because it uses every possible adjective for lamenting one could imagine. It's also a match to Lamentations because the crying, weeping, howling and wailing of Isaiah 15 is over captivity.

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1מַשָּׂ֖א מוֹאָ֑ב כִּ֠י בְּלֵ֞יל שֻׁדַּ֨ד עָ֤ר מוֹאָב֙ נִדְמָ֔ה כִּ֗י בְּלֵ֛יל שֻׁדַּ֥ד קִיר־ מוֹאָ֖ב נִדְמָֽה׃ 2עָלָ֨ה הַבַּ֧יִת וְדִיבֹ֛ן הַבָּמ֖וֹת לְבֶ֑כִי עַל־ נְב֞וֹ וְעַ֤ל מֵֽידְבָא֙ מוֹאָ֣ב יְיֵלִ֔יל בְּכָל־ רֹאשָׁ֣יו קָרְחָ֔ה כָּל־ זָקָ֖ן גְּרוּעָֽה׃ 3בְּחוּצֹתָ֖יו חָ֣גְרוּ שָׂ֑ק עַ֣ל גַּגּוֹתֶ֧יהָ וּבִרְחֹבֹתֶ֛יהָ כֻּלֹּ֥ה יְיֵלִ֖יל יֹרֵ֥ד בַּבֶּֽכִי׃ (WLC)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; 2He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. 3In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly. (KJV)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; 2He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. 3In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every 1 shall howl, weeping abundantly. (KJV/NC)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1The burden of Moab. For in a night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nought; for in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nought. 2They are gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep: Moab waileth over Nebo, and over Medeba; on all their heads is baldness, every beard is cut off. 3In their streets they gird themselves with sackcloth; on their housetops, and in their broad places, every one waileth, weeping abundantly. (ASV)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1THE prophecy concerning the fall of Moab. Because in the night the city of Moab is plundered and brought to silence; because in the night the defenses of Moab are despoiled and brought to silence; 2They have gone up to the house of Ribon, to the high places, to weep; Moab shall howl over Nebo and over Medeba; on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. 3In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth; on the housetops and in their streets every one shall howl, weeping vehemently. (LAM)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1An oracle concerning Moab. Because Ar is laid waste in a night Moab is undone; because Kir is laid waste in a night Moab is undone. 2The daughter of Dibon has gone up to the high places to weep; over Nebo and over Med'eba Moab wails. On every head is baldness, every beard is shorn; 3in the streets they gird on sackcloth; on the housetops and in the squares every one wails and melts in tears. (RSV)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1An oracle concerning Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! 2Dibon goes up to its temple, to its high places to weep; Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Every head is shaved and every beard cut off. 3In the streets they wear sackcloth; on the roofs and in the public squares they all wail, prostrate with weeping. (NIV)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1The burden of Moab: for in a night, Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing; for in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. 2They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. Every beard is cut off. 3In their streets, they dress themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone wails, weeping abundantly. (WEB)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1The burden of Moab: for in a night, Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing; for in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. 2They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. Every beard is cut off. 3In their streets, they dress themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone wails, weeping abundantly. (WEB/HNV)

13 Isaiah 15:1-3 1THE prophecy concerning the fall of Moab. Because in the night the city of Moab is plundered and brought to silence; because in the night the defenses of Moab are despoiled and brought to silence; 2They have gone up to the house of Ribon, to the high places, to weep; Moab will howl over Nebo and over Medeba; on all their heads will be baldness, and every beard cut off. 3In their streets they will gird themselves with sackcloth; on the housetops and in their streets everyone will howl, weeping vehemently. (BRB)

All of Isaiah 15 plays to lamenting in some form or another. No other chapter in Isaiah so thoroughly deals with this behavior just as no other book in the Bible so thoroughly displays utter sadness like Lamentations. For this reason Isaiah 15 and Lamentations are a strong match.

Isaiah 20 and Micah

Micah is an interesting character and one who does some mourning of his own. His book begins with a prophetic vision of Yahvah leaving his place in heaven to destroy Samaria and Jerusalem because of their persistent sin. Micah's response is to take his clothes off.

20 Micah 1:8 8עַל־ זֹאת֙ אֶסְפְּדָ֣ה וְאֵילִ֔ילָה אֵילְכָ֥ה וְעָר֑וֹם אֶעֱשֶׂ֤ה מִסְפֵּד֙ כַּתַּנִּ֔ים וְאֵ֖בֶל כִּבְנ֥וֹת יַעֲנָֽה׃ (WLC)

20 Micah 1:8 8Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls. (KJV)

20 Micah 1:8 8Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls. (KJV/NC)

20 Micah 1:8 8For this will I lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked; I will make a wailing like the jackals, and a lamentation like the ostriches. (ASV)

20 Micah 1:8 8¶ Therefore I will mourn and howl, and walk bare footed and naked; I will make a wailing like the jackal and mourning like the owl. (LAM)

20 Micah 1:8 8For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked; I will make lamentation like the jackals, and mourning like the ostriches. (RSV)

20 Micah 1:8 8Because of this I will weep and wail; I will go about barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl. (NIV)

20 Micah 1:8 8For this I will lament and wail;
I will go stripped and naked;
I will howl like the jackals,
And moan like the daughters of owls.(WEB)

20 Micah 1:8 8For this I will lament and wail;
I will go stripped and naked;
I will howl like the jackals,
and moan like the daughters of owls.(WEB/HNV)

20 Micah 1:8 8Therefore, I will mourn and howl, and walk bare footed and naked; I will make a wailing like the jackal and mourning like the owl. (BRB)

One wonders why Micah would go about barefoot and naked until you realize he was revealing the spiritual condition of the people around him. Israel had no defense against their enemies because they had so pissed off God, their protection. For Yahvah to come down and destroy them simply meant Yahvah not protecting them from stronger invading armies. Micah sees it prophetically and rips his clothes off in desperation, as if to say "Aren't you guys seeing this. We have a huge problem."

Micah isn't the only prophet to rip his clothes off in desperate times. Isaiah does the same thing in Isaiah 20 at the threat of Assyrian invasion.

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1בִּשְׁנַ֨ת בֹּ֤א תַרְתָּן֙ אַשְׁדּ֔וֹדָה בִּשְׁלֹ֣ח אֹת֔וֹ סַֽרְג֖וֹן מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֑וּר וַיִּלָּ֥חֶם בְּאַשְׁדּ֖וֹד וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ׃ 2בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהוָה֮ בְּיַ֣ד יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־ אָמוֹץ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ לֵ֗ךְ וּפִתַּחְתָּ֤ הַשַּׂק֙ מֵעַ֣ל מָתְנֶ֔יךָ וְנַעַלְךָ֥ תַחֲלֹ֖ץ מֵעַ֣ל רַגְלֶ֑יךָ וַיַּ֣עַשׂ כֵּ֔ן הָלֹ֖ךְ עָר֥וֹם וְיָחֵֽף׃ (WLC)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it; 2At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. (KJV)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it; 2At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. (KJV/NC)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it; 2at that time Jehovah spake by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go, and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put thy shoe from off thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. (ASV)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1IN the year that Tartan came to Ashdod (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him) and fought against Ashdod and took it, 2At that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off your loins and put off your shoes from your feet. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. (LAM)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and took it,-- 2at that time the LORD had spoken by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go, and loose the sackcloth from your loins and take off your shoes from your feet," and he had done so, walking naked and barefoot-- (RSV)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it -- 2at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, "Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet." And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot.(NIV)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it; 2at that time Yahweh spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, 'Go, and loosen the sackcloth from off your waist, and take your shoes from off your feet.' He did so, walking naked and barefoot. (WEB)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it; 2at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, 'Go, and loosen the sackcloth from off your waist, and take your shoes from off your feet.' He did so, walking naked and barefoot. (WEB/HNV)

13 Isaiah 20:1-2 1IN the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and fought against Ashdod and took it, 2At that time Yahvah spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off your loins and put off your shoes from your feet. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. (BRB)

There are a couple other stories of nakedness in the Bible, like Saul's, but none that work like Micah and Isaiah's. Only Micah and Isaiah share the similarities of 1) being writing prophets 2) who go naked at times of invasion 3) to reveal the lack of defense or protection. With these similarities occurring in both Isaiah 20 and Micah we have a unique match.

Isaiah 26 and Psalms

Psalms is the song book of the Bible. Every chapter in Psalms is a song. No other book in the Bible is completely songs, though a few have a song here or there. Here's an excerpt from Psalm 118.

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1לְ֭כוּ נְרַנְּנָ֣ה לַיהוָ֑ה נָ֝רִ֗יעָה לְצ֣וּר יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ׃ 2נְקַדְּמָ֣ה פָנָ֣יו בְּתוֹדָ֑ה בִּ֝זְמִר֗וֹת נָרִ֥יעַֽ לֽוֹ׃ (WLC)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.(KJV)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.(KJV/NC)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1Oh come, let us sing unto Jehovah;

Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving;(ASV)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1O COME, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the God of our salvation. 2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms. (LAM)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! (RSV)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1Psalm 95 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

2Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.(NIV)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1Oh come, let's sing to Yahweh.
Let's shout aloud to the rock of our salvation!

2Let's come before his presence with thanksgiving.
Let's extol him with songs!(WEB)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1Oh come, let's sing to the LORD.
Let's shout aloud to the rock of our salvation!

2Let's come before his presence with thanksgiving.
Let's extol him with songs!(WEB/HNV)

26 Psalms 95:1-2 1OH come, let us sing to Yahvah; let us make a joyful noise to the God of our salvation. 2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms. (BRB)

Just at Psalms is the song book of the Bible, Isaiah 26 is the song chapter of Isaiah. No other chapter in Isaiah is a song though a couple chapters have short songs or reference songs. Isaiah 26 even begins by saying "this is a song" just so we don't miss the fact.

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא יוּשַׁ֥ר הַשִּׁיר־ הַזֶּ֖ה בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָ֑ה עִ֣יר עָז־ לָ֔נוּ יְשׁוּעָ֥ה יָשִׁ֖ית חוֹמ֥וֹת וָחֵֽל׃ 2פִּתְח֖וּ שְׁעָרִ֑ים וְיָבֹ֥א גוֹי־ צַדִּ֖יק שֹׁמֵ֥ר אֱמֻנִֽים׃ (WLC)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. (KJV)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. (KJV/NC)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: we have a strong city; salvation will he appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth faith may enter in. (ASV)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1IN that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: O city whose salvation has prevailed, build the walls and the bulwarks; 2Open the gates, that the righteous peoples who keep faith and that the truth may enter in. (LAM)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. 2Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith may enter in. (RSV)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. 2Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. (NIV)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: we have a strong city; salvation will he appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2Open youP the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith may enter in. (WEB)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

'We have a strong city.
God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.

2Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter:
the one which keeps faith.(WEB/HNV)

13 Isaiah 26:1-2 1IN that day will this song be sung in the land of Judah: Oh city whose salvation has prevailed, build the walls and the bulwarks; 2Open the gates, that the righteous peoples who keep faith and that the truth may enter in. (BRB)

Reading through the rest of Isaiah 26 you'll notice it is similar to Psalms both in terms of it's style and content. Psalms has a definite style as does Isaiah, but Isaiah 26 reads more like Psalms than Isaiah. Given the similarity of style in Isaiah 26 and Psalms and the fact that Isaiah 26 is to Isaiah like Psalms to the Bible these are a strong match.

Isaiah 27 and Job

If you search the Bible for the word "leviathan" you'll discover it's a low occurrence word that appears in Isaiah 27, Psalm 74, Psalm 104 and Job 41. The Job passage is the longest and most familiar.

27 Job 41:1-8 1הֵן־ תֹּחַלְתּ֥וֹ נִכְזָ֑בָה הֲגַ֖ם אֶל־ מַרְאָ֣יו יֻטָֽל׃ 2לֹֽא־ אַ֭כְזָר כִּ֣י יְעוּרֶ֑נּוּ וּמִ֥י ה֝֗וּא לְפָנַ֥י יִתְיַצָּֽב׃ 3מִ֣י הִ֭קְדִּימַנִי וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם תַּ֖חַת כָּל־ הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם לִי־ הֽוּא׃ 4אַחֲרִ֥ישׁ בַּדָּ֑יו וּדְבַר־ גְּ֝בוּר֗וֹת וְחִ֣ין עֶרְכּֽוֹ׃ 5מִֽי־ גִ֭לָּה פְּנֵ֣י לְבוּשׁ֑וֹ בְּכֶ֥פֶל רִ֝סְנ֗וֹ מִ֣י יָבֽוֹא׃ 6דַּלְתֵ֣י פָ֭נָיו מִ֣י פִתֵּ֑חַ סְבִיב֖וֹת שִׁנָּ֣יו אֵימָֽה׃ 7גַּ֭אֲוָה אֲפִיקֵ֣י מָֽגִנִּ֑ים סָ֝ג֗וּר חוֹתָ֥ם צָֽר׃ 8אֶחָ֣ד בְּאֶחָ֣ד יִגַּ֑שׁוּ וְ֝ר֗וּחַ לֹא־ יָב֥וֹא בֵֽינֵיהֶֽם׃ (WLC)

27 Job 41:1-8 1Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? 2Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? 3Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? 4Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? 5Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? 6Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? 7Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? 8Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. (KJV)

27 Job 41:1-8 1Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? 2Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? 3Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? 4Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? 5Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? 6Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? 7Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? 8Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. (KJV/NC)

27 Job 41:1-8 1Canst thou draw out leviathan with a fishhook?

Or press down his tongue with a cord?

2Canst thou put a rope into his nose?

Or pierce his jaw through with a hook?

3Will he make many supplications unto thee?

Or will he speak soft words unto thee?

4Will he make a covenant with thee,

That thou shouldest take him for a servant for ever?

5Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?

Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

6Will the bands of fishermen make traffic of him?

Will they part him among the merchants?

7Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons,

Or his head with fish-spears?

8Lay thy hand upon him;(ASV)

27 Job 41:1-8 1CAN you catch the Leviathan with a hook? Or draw him out with a cord in his mouth? 2Can you put a bridle in his mouth? Or bore his jaw with a thorn? 3Will he make many supplications to you? Or will he speak flattering words to you? 4Will he make a covenant with you? Or will you count him as a servant for ever? 5Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you keep him as a pet for your children? 6Shall fishermen gather over him? Shall they divide him among many people? 7Can you fill his skin with meat? Or bake his head with fire? 8Try to capture him; such a battle you will have! You will never forget it. (LAM)

27 Job 41:1-8 1"Can you draw out Levi'athan with a fishhook, or press down his tongue with a cord? 2Can you put a rope in his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook? 3Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak to you soft words? 4Will he make a covenant with you to take him for your servant for ever? 5Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you put him on leash for your maidens? 6Will traders bargain over him? Will they divide him up among the merchants? 7Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? 8Lay hands on him; think of the battle; you will not do it again! (RSV)

27 Job 41:1-8 1"Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook or tie down his tongue with a rope? 2Can you put a cord through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? 3Will he keep begging you for mercy? Will he speak to you with gentle words? 4Will he make an agreement with you for you to take him as your slave for life? 5Can you make a pet of him like a bird or put him on a leash for your girls? 6Will traders barter for him? Will they divide him up among the merchants? 7Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears? 8If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the struggle and never do it again! (NIV)

27 Job 41:1-8 1'Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook?
Or press down his tongue with a cord?

2Can you put a rope into his nose?
Or pierce his jaw through with a hook?

3Will he make many petitions to you?
Or will he speak soft words to you?

4Will he make a covenant with you,
That you should take him for a servant forever?

5Will you play with him as with a bird?
Or will you bind him for your girls?

6Will traders barter for him?
Will they part him among the merchants?

7Can you fill his skin with barbed irons,
Or his head with fish-spears?

8Lay your hand on him.
Remember the battle, and do so no more.(WEB)

27 Job 41:1-8 1'Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook,
or press down his tongue with a cord?

2Can you put a rope into his nose,
or pierce his jaw through with a hook?

3Will he make many petitions to you,
or will he speak soft words to you?

4Will he make a covenant with you,
that you should take him for a servant forever?

5Will you play with him as with a bird?
Or will you bind him fo