"Isaiah son of Amoz is often thought of as the greatest of the writing prophets. His name means 'The LORD saves.' He was a contemporary of Amos, Hosea and Micah, beginning his ministry in 740 B.C., the year King Uzziah died. According to an unsubstantiated Jewish tradition (THE ASCENSION OF ISAIAH), he was sawed in half during the reign of Manasseh (cf. Heb 11:37). Isaiah was married and had at least two sons, Shear-Jashub (7:3) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:3). He probably spent most of his life in Jerusalem, enjoying his greatest influence under King Hezekiah (see 37:1-2). Isaiah is also credited with writing a history of the reign of King Uzziah (2Ch 26:22)." (THE NIV STUDY BIBLE NOTES, Introduction to Isaiah, author)
