Isaiah 53:10–12

Context

Isaiah 52:13–53:12 is commonly called the "Song of the Suffering Servant." It is the fourth of the four passages in Isaiah 40–55 that speak of the "servant," and these verses form its final section. Isaiah 53:1–9 depicts the servant being despised, afflicted, and put to death. Verses 10–12 reveal that this suffering took place within the will of the LORD and conclude with the servant's ultimate exaltation. Beginning with "my righteous servant" in verse 11, the LORD speaks in the first person.

Interpretation

• Traditional Jewish reading: Medieval rabbis such as Rashi read the servant as the suffering people of Israel.
• Traditional Christian reading: The New Testament and church tradition identify the servant as Jesus Christ. The "offering for sin" in verse 10 is the guilt offering, a sacrifice made to make restitution for trespass and regulated in Leviticus 5. Christianity reads this offering as Christ's death on the cross. It also understands the statement that after his death "he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days" as a foreshadowing of the resurrection. Jesus himself quotes verse 12 as a word to be fulfilled in him (Luke 22:37). The closing words of verse 12, "and made intercession for the transgressors," are read together with his prayer on the cross (Luke 23:34).
• Historical-critical reading: Many biblical scholars first ask what the text meant to its original audience. They leave the identity of the servant open to several possibilities, including exilic Israel, the prophet himself, or some particular individual.

Debates and Issues

• Understanding of the atonement: "For he shall bear their iniquities" (v. 11) and "he bare the sin of many" (v. 12) are often cited as a basis for the doctrine of the atonement, particularly for penal substitution, the view that Christ bore the punishment in the place of sinners. The Reformed tradition emphasizes this point and connects "justify many" with justification. Other theologians, while accepting substitution, also give attention to such aspects as restoration and reconciliation.
• Textual issues: At the beginning of verse 11, the Hebrew Masoretic Text has no object for the verb "see." The Great Isaiah Scroll among the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation) include the word "light," and some modern translations therefore render the phrase "he shall see the light (of life)."
• Translational ambiguities: In verse 10, the subject of the Hebrew verb in the clause about making his soul an offering is unclear. Some translations therefore render it in the second person, as in "when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin." Interpretations also differ over whether "by his knowledge" in verse 11 refers to the knowledge the servant possesses or to people's knowledge of the servant.

In the Korean Church

Isaiah 53 is frequently used in sermons and Scripture readings during Holy Week. Verses 10–12 are read as part of it, forming the conclusion that speaks of victory and exaltation after suffering.

Related Passages

• Isaiah 53:4–6
• Luke 22:37
• Acts 8:32–35
• 1 Peter 2:24
• 2 Corinthians 5:21