Isaiah 53
The Servant
A scholarly environment for deep reflection on the most profound chapter in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Isaiah 52:13–15
The Servant song begins here
Isaiah 53 is the chapter most often quoted, but the portrait of the Servant does not begin there. These closing verses of chapter 52 introduce Yahweh’s servant—his wisdom, his startling exaltation, and the nations’ awestruck response—before the famous “who has believed our report?” opens chapter 53. Reading 52:13–15 first restores the literary and prophetic context for everything that follows.
הִנֵּ֥ה יַשְׂכִּ֖יל עַבְדִּ֑י יָר֧וּם וְנִשָּׂ֛א וְגָבַ֖הּ מְאֹֽד׃
Behold, my servant will prosper. He will be high, lifted up, and greatly exalted.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר שָׁמְמ֤וּ עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ רַבִּ֔ים כֵּן־מִשְׁחַ֥ת מֵאִ֖ישׁ מַרְאֵ֑הוּ וְתֹאֲר֖וֹ מִבְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם׃
Like as many were astonished at you (his appearance was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men),
כֵּ֤ן יַזֶּה֙ גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֔ים עָלָ֕יו יִקְפְּצ֥וּ מְלָכִ֖ים פִּיהֶ֑ם כִּֽי־אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־סֻפַּר֙ לָהֶ֔ם רָא֖וּ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־שָׁמְע֖וּ הִתְבּוֹנָֽנוּ׃
so he will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told them they will see, and that which they had not heard they will understand.
A Righteous Servant
"Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him. He has caused him to suffer. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his offspring..."