Isaías 53
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 53:1-3
53:1 "Who has believed our message" The speaker (PLURAL, vv. 1-6) is uncertain, but possibly the faithful Jewish remnant the prophets the kings of Isa. 52:15 It is obvious that very few understood the concept of a suffering Messiah (cf. Gen. 3:15; Psalm 22; Zechariah 11-12; John 12:38; Rom. 10:16; see SPECIAL TOPIC: A SUFFERING MESSIAH)! However, one day the kings of the earth will understand (cf. Isa. 52:15 and Phil. 2:6-11)! For "believed" (BDB 52, KB 63, Hiphil PERFECT) see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT. ▣ "arm of the Lord" This is an anthropomorphic phrase (cf. Isa. 51:9; 52:9,10; Deut. 5:15) for YHWH's actions, here involving the ministry of the Servant. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN (anthropomorphism) 53:2 "Him" This is a reference to YHWH (cf. v. 1b). ▣ "like a tender shoot" This (BDB 413) refers to His inconspicuous beginnings. It has some connotative relationship with the Messianic term "Branch" (BDB 666, cf. Isa. 4:2; 11:1,10). Both are used together in Isa. 11:1. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BRANCH OF THE LORD SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS THE NAZARENE ▣ "He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him" Jesus was not physically unusual or attractive. He did not stand out in a crowd in any way (i.e. He could melt into the crowd, cf. John 8:59; 12:36). 53:3 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, REB, JPSOA "He was despised"" TEV, NEB "we despised him" "his form was ignoble" "he is despised" The UBS Text Project, p. 143, gives the MT (NASB) a "B" rating (some doubt). This VERB (BDB 102, KB 117, Niphal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) is used as a title, "The Despised One" in Isa. 49:7. The Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE is used in Ps. 22:6, which Christians believe describes Jesus' crucifixion (cf. Matt. 27:35,39,43,46; Mark 15:29,34; Luke 23:34; John 19:24; 20:25). So many of the texts in this section of Isaiah are used in the NT. Isaiah clearly reveals God's redemptive plan for all humans through the work of His Messiah. As with so many textual variants, the general meaning of the text is clear (see SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM). There is a new book by John H. Walton and D. Brent Sandy, The Lost World of Scripture, that informs us about how oral societies pass on their traditions. As a Christian it is necessary to assert the priority of the New Testament. Jesus fulfills the Old Testament. He widens the focus from national Israel to all nations. The best NT text to confirm this truth is Matt. 5:17-48. Please look at my exegetical commentary on this passage online. Believers must view the OT through the new revelation of Jesus the Messiah, and not try to interpret through the eyes of the OT alone. Jesus changed everything. The NT is about Him, not about Israel! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ The last two lines of Isa. 53:3 have been interpreted in several ways. some of the rabbis said the Messiah would have leprosy (cf. Isa. 53:11) some relate it to Isa. 52:14 and see it referring to the beatings Jesus received at the hands of Herod's and Pilate's guards some relate it to Jesus' words in Matt. 26:31; Mark 14:27 (i.e. the wounded shepherd of Zech. 13:7) or John 16:32 ▣ "sorrows" This word (BDB 456) can mean physical pain ‒ Exod. 3:7 emotional pain ‒ Ps. 38:17-18; Jer. 45:3 It is used in this context (Isa. 53:13-14) of the Servant suffering on behalf of Israel (cf. Isa. 53:8) and all mankind (cf. Isa. 53:6). SPECIAL TOPIC: A SUFFERING MESSIAH
Isaías 53:4-6
53:4 "griefs" The word literally means "sickness" (BDB 318, cf. Deut. 28:59,61), but is used in a much wider sense in Hebrew (Isa. 1:6; 6:10). This speaks of Jesus' substitutionary atonement (cf. Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24-25). Many have tried to interpret this strophe and Isa. 53:5d as teaching that Jesus' death dealt with believers' sins and sicknesses, but this is to misinterpret the parallelism (cf. Ps. 103:3). "Sickness" is a Hebrew idiom for sin (cf. Isa. 1:5-6; Ps. 103:3). My favorite charismatic author, Gordon Fee, has written a powerful booklet on this issue entitled The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospels. However, it must be acknowledged that Matthew's Gospel about Jesus' healing and exorcising ministry fulfilled this Isaiah 53 text (cf. Matt. 8:14-17). The theologian in me sees "forgiveness of sin," but the pastor in me sees Jesus as revealing the compassion of God in delivering humans from the consequences of original and personal sin (cf. James 5:13-20). SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING ▣ "bore. . .carried" These two VERBS are parallel. bore ‒ BDB 669, KB 724, Qal PERFECT, used of bearing one's guilt, Gen. 4:13; Lev. 5:1,17; 7:18; Num. 5:31; 14:34; Ezek. 14:10; 44:12, but it is also used of someone or some animal bearing another's guilt, cf. Lev. 10:17; 16:22; Num. 14:33; Ezek. 4:4,5,6 and of the suffering Servant's redemptive ministry in Isa. 53:4,11; also note Matt. 8:17; Heb. 9:28; 1 Pet. 2:24 carried ‒ BDB 687, KB 741, Qal PERFECT; this is literally "bear a heavy load," it is used of the Servant in Isa. 53:4 and Isa. 53:11 (Qal IMPERFECT) Notice the series of VERBS in Isa. 53:4-6 of what YHWH did to the Servant for humanity's benefit. smitten by God, Isa. 53:4 ‒ BDB 645, KB 697, Hophal PARTICIPLE, cf. v. 10 afflicted (by God), Isa. 53:4 ‒ BDB 776, KB 853, Pual PARTICIPLE pierced through for our transgressions, Isa. 53:5 ‒ BDB 319, KB 320, Poal PARTICIPLE (see full note below) crushed for our iniquities, Isa. 53:5 ‒ BDB 193, KB 221, Pual PARTICIPLE the chastening for our well being (no VERB) upon Him, Isa. 53:5 by His scourging we are healed, Isa. 53:5 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING; and for a good discussion of this issue, F. F. Bruce, Answers to Questions, pp. 44-45) This is the textual foundation for the doctrine of the vicarious, substitutionary atonement of Jesus, the Messiah. ▣ "Smitten of God" It was God's will that Jesus die (cf. Isa. 53:10; John 3:16; Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus' trial and death were not accidents or mistakes, but the plan of God (cf. Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28; 1 Pet. 1:20). The physical description of the Servant is described in Isa. 52:14 and 53:3. Jerome's Vulgate assumes this is referring to leprosy, which because it was incurable, was considered to be an act of God on sinful behavior. But, in this Servant Song, it denotes "sin bearing" of others' sin. 53:5 "pierced. . .crushed" As "bore" and "carried" in Isa. 53:4 were parallel, so too, these VERBS. pierced ‒ BDB 319, KB 320, Poal PARTICIPLE usually by a sword in battle, but not here. The same root means "polluted" for mankind's purification and forgiveness. crushed ‒ BDB 193, KB 221, Pual PARTICIPLE; this VERB is used several times in Isaiah Isa. 57:15 ‒ Niphal PARTICIPLE, "the heart of the contrite" Isa. 3:15 ‒ Piel IMPERFECT, "crushing My people" Isa. 19:10; 53:5 ‒ Pual PARTICIPLE, "to be crushed" Isa. 53:10 ‒ Piel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, "to crush" It denotes one who is humbled. In this context by YHWH Himself for the greater good of all mankind. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 53:6 This is the OT counterpart to the universal sinfulness of all mankind found in Rom. 3:9-18,23; 5:12,15,18; 11:32; Gal. 3:22. This shows the terrible development of the Fall of Genesis 3 (cf. Gen. 6:5,11-12; Ps. 14:3; 143:2). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY ▣ "the iniquity of us all to fall on Him" Jesus died for the sins of the entire world. Everyone is potentially saved by Christ (cf. John 1:12,29; 3:16-17; 4:42; Rom. 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:10; Titus 2:11; 1 Pet. 1:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:14). Only willful and continuing unbelief keeps anyone from God (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE UNPARDONABLE SIN). Some commentators have tried to make a restrictive distinction between the "all" [twice] of Isa. 53:6 and "the many" of Isa. 53:11d and 12e. However, the parallelism of Rom. 5:18, "all" and "the many" of Rom. 5:19, clearly shows that they refer to the same group (i.e. fallen humanity made in the image and likeness of YHWH, Gen. 1:26-27). 53:6d NASB, TEV "fall on" NKJV, NRSV, REB, Peshitta "laid on" "to bear on" "to attack" "visited upon" "gave him over to" "to attack" The MT has the VERB (BDB 803, KB 910, Hiphiil PERFECT) which can mean cause to light upon (here) cause one to entreat (KB 910, Hiphil #2) interpose (cf. Isa. 53:12, Qal PARTICIPLE) attack or assail (NET, p. 1269, #10) Sin is personified and focuses its work on the Servant. This personification of sin is also seen in Gen. 4:7; Num. 32:23; also note Rom. 6:23; 7:8-11.
Isaías 53:7-9
53:7 "He did not open His mouth" This means the Servant did not attempt to defend Himself. There are several allusions to this in Jesus' trials. Jesus' night trial before Caiaphas ‒ Matt. 26:63; Mark 14:61 Jesus' trial before Pilate ‒ Matt. 27:12-14; Mark 15:5; John 19:9 Jesus before Herod the Tetrarch ‒ Luke 23:9 ▣ "Like a lamb" This term refers to a young lamb (i.e., Gen. 22:7-8; Exod. 12:3-5,13). The sacrificial allusion is significant (cf. John 1:29 and 2 Cor. 5:21). Also notice the repeated use of "lamb" in the book of Revelation (cf. Rev. 5:6,8,12,13; 6:1,16; 7:9,10,14,17; 12:11; 13:8,11; 14:1,4,10; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7,9; 21:9,14,22,23,27; 22:1,3). 53:8a This may refer to Jesus' unfair trials before the Sanhedrin before Pilate SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SANHEDRIN SPECIAL TOPIC: PONTIUS PILATE ▣ "For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due" This phrase shows that the term "Servant" in this context cannot be national Israel. The Servant dies (cf. Isa. 8d) for Israel. The DSS have "of his people." This song/poem has several rare and unusual VERBALS. Isa. 52:15, "what had not been told" ‒ Pual PERFECT (BDB 707, KB 765) Isa. 52:15, "they will understand" ‒ Hithpolel PERFECT (BDB 106, KB 122) Isa. 53:4, "smitten" ‒ Hophal PARTICIPLE (BDB 645, KB 697) Isa. 53:4, "afflicted" ‒ Pual PARTICIPLE (BDB 776, KB 853) Isa. 53:5, "pierced" ‒ Poal PARTICIPLE (BDB 319, KB 320) Isa. 53:5, "crushed" ‒ Pual PARTICIPLE (BDB 193, KB 221) Isa. 53:7, "led" ‒ Hophal IMPERFECT (BDB 384, KB 383) Isa. 53:8, "considered" ‒ Polel IMPERFECT (BDB 967, KB 1319) 53:9 The MT has "and they made with the wicked his grave and with a rich man in his death." The JPSOA footnote suggests an emendation based on the DSS, "They set his grave among the wicked; his bamah (BDB 663; i.e. pillar, cf. Gen. 35:20) with the wicked." JPSOA, "And his grave was set among the wicked; and with the rich in his death" (footnote, "and his tomb was with evil doers"). See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 57-59,287. This verse describes so explicitly the crucifixion and burial of Jesus (cf. Matt. 27:38-61; Mark 15:27-47; Luke 23:39-56), as does Psalm 22. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW POETRY
Isaías 53:10-12
53:10 "But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief" Notice the agent and object of these VERBS. YHWH was pleased (lit. "it was the will of" - BDB 342, KB 339, Qal PERFECT). This VERB means "to delight in" or "be pleased with" (cf. Isa. 42:21; 58:2; 62:4; Ezek. 18:23,32; 33:11; Mal. 1:10) or "desire" (Isa. 42:21; 55:11). It is even used of YHWH's pleasure to put someone to death in 1 Sam. 2:25. It is shocking to use a VERB like this in connection with the unfair, painful treatment of the righteous Servant. YHWH had a redemptive plan (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN)! YHWH's will and purpose was "to crush" (BDB 193, KB 221, Piel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, cf. Isa. 53:5). The LXX has "pleased to purge him." This is from an Aramaic root of the same consonants (see Moises Silva, Biblical Words and Their Meaning, p. 91, #44). "put to grief" (Hiphil PERFECT, BDB 317, KB 311). The VERB means "to make sick" (JPSOA) or "sore by hitting." There was a high and costly price to pay for human redemption! YHWH and His Servant paid it fully and freely (i.e. 2 Cor. 5:21)! ▣ "If He would render Himself as a guilt offering" NKJV, NRSV "When You make His soul an offering for sin" "His death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness" "if he gives his life as a sin offering" "if fhe made himself an offering for guilt" "he laid down his life as an offering for sin" "who had given himself as a sacrifice for sin" "If you give an offering for sin" This phrase is so simple yet so profound. It involves the will of YHWH the will of the Servant the sinful ones who chose to receive this guilt offering (implied) This is the Hebrew theological concept of "corporality." It is illustrated by the sacrificial system (Leviticus 1-7), but especially the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16) the sin of Achan affecting the Israeli army (Joshua 7) the clear explanation in Romans 5:12-21 another great example in 2 Cor. 5:21 One innocent One paid the price to set free all the guilty ones! SPECIAL TOPIC: BIBLICAL FAITH IS CORPORATE ▣ "He will prolong His days" It is obvious that the Servant dies (cf. Isa. 53:8,9,12). Therefore, this verse must refer to life after death! Notice all the things that YHWH will do for Him. He will see His offspring (lit. "seed"), Isa. 53:10 He will prolong His days (this must refer to His afterlife), Isa. 53:10; Micah 5:2 the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand (i.e. YHWH's plan to restore fellowship with mankind), Isa. 53:10 He will see it and be satisfied, Isa. 53:11 (refers to YHWH's good pleasure [will]), Isa. 53:10e He will justify the many, Isa. 53:11 allot Him a portion with the great, Isa. 53:12 He will divide the booty with the strong, Isa. 53:12 Poetry is always difficult to interpret. Some of these items are uncertain! 53:11 "He will see it" NKJV, Peshitta "He shall see the travail of His soul" NRSV, NJB, REB "he shall see light" LXX, DSS "to show him light" The MT has "of the travail of his soul he shall see." Notice there is no "it," but it seems to refer to "the anguish of His soul" the JPSOA footnote suggests "it" refers to "the arm of the Lord from v. 1, which is also a FEMININE NOUN the LXX and Dead Sea Scrolls have "he will see light" (NRSV, NJB). The MT does not have "it" (see NKJV). The UBS Text Project, p. 146, thinks "light" may have dropped out of the text (B rating) ▣ "By His knowledge" The NRSV has "he shall find satisfaction through His knowledge." The question is what "knowledge" seems to relate to see His offspring (Isa. 53:10d) prolong His life (Isa. 53:10e) prospering of YHWH's will (Isa. 53:10f) results of His anguish (Isa. 53:11a) ▣ "the Righteous One. . .justify" These are both formed from one root (BDB 842, 843). YHWH's sin-bearing (cf. Isa. 53:11e) Servant will accomplish righteousness for all who believe and receive (cf. John 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 10:9-13). SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON HIS NAME SPECIAL TOPIC: RECEIVE ▣ "the many" See note at "all" of Isa. 53:6. ▣ "He will bear their iniquities" The same VERB (BDB 687, KB 741, Qal IMPERFECT) was also used in Isa. 53:4. See note there. 53:12 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, Peshitta, DSS "with the great. . . with the strong" "a place of honor. . . a place among the great and powerful" "with the many. . . with the mighty" "with the great. . . with the mighty" "will inherit many. . . of the mighty" "will give him the many. . . will receive lthe multitude" The interpretive question is the intended meaning of two ADJECTIVES. רבים ‒ BDB 912, #1, numerous עצום ‒ BDB 783, #2, numerous, cf. Ps. 35:18; Prov. 7:26; Amos 5:12 This would imply the large group of people affected by the Servant's vicarious sacrifice. It would, then, parallel v. 11d, "My Servant, will justify the many" and v. 12e, "Yet He Himself bore the sin of many." ▣ "He poured out Himself to death" This VERB (BDB 788, KB 881, Hiphil PERFECT) is literally "be naked" or "be bare" or "to empty." It is used in Isaiah in several senses. to uncover a weapon, Isa. 22:6 for the Spirit being given (i.e. poured out), Isa. 32:15 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: POURED OUT) BDB calls it a metaphor in this text reflecting the Piel usage #3 (cf. Ps. 141:8) KB calls it "to tip out," imagery for "to throw away one life to death" ▣ "And was numbered with the transgressors" Luke 22:37 quotes this verse as being spoken by Jesus in Gethsemane when the soldiers and guards came to arrest Him. Notice the same word (BDB 833) was used of Israel's sin in Isa. 53:8 and all humans' sin in Isa. 53:5. ▣ "He Himself bore the sin of many" This is the doctrine of vicarious, substitutionary atonement (cf. Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; 14:24; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:4; 1 Tim. 2:6; Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:28; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 John 2:2). The UBS Text Project thinks "sin" should be PLURAL (B rating). ▣ "And interceded for the transgressors" And He still does (cf. John 17:9; Rom. 8:27,34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1)!