The later prophets are what we normally think of as prophets. They stood out against authority and asked people to reform their ways to that of Yahweh, their God. They were writing prophets, as opposed to the early prophets who did not write, but were written about. These later prophets are normally divided into the three major prophets and the twelve Minor Prophets. There were three famous major writing prophets whose works are very long. Isaiah lived in the 8th century BCE, but his work was not finished until around the 6th century BCE. On the other hand, Jeremiah and Ezekiel were 6th century BCE prophetic writers around the time of the Babylonian Exile.
the Babylonian exile
Comfort for the people (Isa 40:1-40:2)
“‘Comfort!
Comfort my people!’
Says your God.
‘Speak tenderly to Jerusalem!
Cry to her!
She has served her term.
Her penalty is paid
That she has received
From Yahweh’s hand,
Double for all her sins.’”
This section of Isaiah is often referred to as the Book of Consolation. Sometimes people refer to this section as Deutero-Isaiah or Second Isaiah because it is separated from the preceding chapters by style and setting. There is a more universal outlook, perhaps from a disciple of Isaiah, some few hundred years later. However, even some parts of the preceding chapters may have been from this time also. Apparently this time setting is near the end of the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE. God speaks and comforts the Israelites because they have served their punishment time. They have paid the double penalty that they received from Yahweh’s hand.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 