Keraia
Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53:1

The Suffering Servant · Isaiah 53:1–8
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Translations

Modern
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Traditional
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Literal
Who has believed in our report? And the arm of YHWH—to whom has it been revealed?
Latin
Quis credidit auditui nostro? et brachium Domini cui revelatum est?

Original

Hebrew
English
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Notes

Isaiah 53:1

  • our message: Scholars have debated who the speaker could be. The main possibilities are:

    1. a faithful remnant of Israel, and

    2. Isaiah himself.

    Most likely, Isaiah the prophet was speaking for and with Israel.

  • the arm: This refers to God's strength, vividly described in the previous chapters (see Isaiah 50:2; 51:5, 9; 52:10). It would show itself in weakness and apparent helplessness through the servant's humiliation and exaltation (see 1 Corinthians 1:27–30).

Isaiah 52:13–53:12

This is the fourth of four passages that speak about the promised servant (see study note on Isaiah 42:1–4). The Hebrew poem is carefully constructed in five three-line stanzas.It begins with the servant’s exaltation (52:13), proceeds to his humiliation (52:14–53:9), and ends with his exaltation (53:10–12).

The faithful servant’s suffering would bring reconciliation between God and humans. The Lord Jesus perfectly fulfilled this prophecy (see Isaiah 40; Matthew 8:17; Acts 8:30–35; Romans 10:15–17; 15:21; 1 Peter 2:24–25).

Events

Parallels

Acts 8:26–40 1 Peter 2:21–25

Glossary

Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Blood Body of Christ Church Gaza Gospel of Matthew Honor Imputation Isaiah, Book of Jesus Christ, Teachings of Lamb of God Lord’s Supper, the Messiah New Creation, New Creature Philip Psalms, Book of Servant Servant of the Lord Son of Man Suffering Servant

Topics

Arm: Figurative Use of Blindness: Spiritual Christian Minister: Discouragements of Jesus, the Christ: Design of his Death Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Rejected Offense: The Wicked Take, At: The Low Station of Christ Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Their Rejection of the Messiah The Gospel: Rejection of, by Many, Foretold Titles and Names of Christ: Arm of the Lord Unbelief: Exhibited in Rejecting the Gospel Unbelief: General Scriptures Concerning Word of God: Unbelief In