Isaiah 53 is Not Jesus

 Isaiah 53 is Not Jesus


Isaiah 53 has long been read through a Christological lens, but that interpretation is neither demanded by the text nor consistent with its original literary and historical setting. Within Isaiah 40–55, the “servant” is repeatedly and explicitly identified as Israel—particularly exiled Israel—whose suffering among the nations is followed by vindication and exaltation. The chapter portrays a collective figure, despised and misjudged by the nations, yet ultimately revealed as having borne suffering on behalf of the world through endurance, not substitutionary death. Read in continuity with Isaiah 52:13–15 and the broader servant songs, Isaiah 53 describes Israel’s restoration from humiliation to honor, functioning as a witness people whose faithfulness overturns the assumptions of empire, rather than a distant prophecy of an individual messiah centuries later.

Isaiah 52:13: The servant is Israel according to Isaiah as a whole. Israel will prosper and be exalted


 

Isaiah 52:13: The servant is Israel according to Isaiah as a whole. Israel will prosper and be exalted


 


INTERNAL VERSES: Isa 41:8-9;  42:19-20, 43:10, 44:1-2, 45:4, 48:20, 49:3

 


EXTERNAL VERSES: Jer 30:17, 46:27-28; Ps 136:22; Lk 1:54



 

Isaiah 52:14: This verse is a variant which is in 2nd person, not 3rd person. Israel is the servant shamed by the nations.


 


NOTE: Brenton Septuagint Translation As many shall be amazed at thee, so shall thy face be without glory from men, and thy glory shall not be honoured by the sons of men.





Isaiah 52:15: This is about the nations.


 


EXTERNAL VERSES: Jer 30:17, Mic 7:12-17


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Isaiah 53:1: The report/message is from the nations.  The arm of the Lord is referring to God revealing his plan to the nations. It is echoing the idea from Isaiah 52:13-15


 


INTERNAL VERSES: Isa 30:30-31, 40:2, 52:10; 59:1,  63:12

 


EXTERNAL VERSES: Exo 6:6, 15:15-16; Deut 4:34, 5:15, 7:19; Ps 44:3-4, 89:10, 89:21-24, Ps 98:1-2, 1 Kgs 8:41-42

   


 

Isaiah 53:2: Israel's humble beginnings


 


EXTERNAL VERSES: Deut 7:7, 32:10, Hos 2:14-15, 11:1, Ezk 16:7-8, Jer 2:2

 




Isaiah 53:3-4: Israel is an object of scorn amongst the nations


 


INTERNAL VERSES: Isa. 1:5-7;43:28, 52:14 LXX,  60:15;

 


EXTERNAL VERSES: Deut. 28:37,  29:22, 32:27, Ps. 42:3, 44:13-14,115:2  Jer. 6:7, 10:19, 10:25; 18:16,  19:8, 24:9, 25:9, 25:18 29:18, 30:10,12,17, 42:18, 44:18, 49:17, 50:13, 79:4,79:10;  Ezk 5:14-15, Ezk 22:4, Lam 2:15-26, 1 Kgs 9:7-9, 2 Chr 7:20-22, Joel 2:17







Isaiah 53:5: "for", should be really "from" based on the Hebrew. The nation afflicted injuries on Israel. They endured the beatings


 


INTERNAL VERSES: Isa. 42:4

EXTERNAL VERSES: Jer. 50:7; Jer. 10:25

 




Isaiah 53:6-7: Sheperd and Sheep imagery is not exclusive to Israel. It is common in Ancient Near East Literature. See Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, Ugarit, and Hittite texts for examples.


 


INTERNAL VERSES: Isa 52:4-5,

 


EXTERNAL VERSES: Psa 44:17- 18, 44:22,11, Jer 12:3, Rom 8:36





Isaiah 53:8: The Land of the Living doesn't always refer to physical life and death. It can be exile.


 


 


INTERNAL VERSES: Isa 9:2 (land of the shadow of death) 38:11

 


EXTERNAL VERSES: Psa 27:13, Jer 11:19, Ezk 32:23 ; Psa 142:5, Psa 116:9, 2 Chr 26:21, Ezk 37:11-14





Isaiah 53:9: The CEV translate this correctly.


 


NOTE: Contemporary English Version: He wasn't dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb among cruel, rich people.


 


INTERNAL VERSES: Isa 14:18-20






Isaiah 53:10: This verse is a variant. Compare this to Isa 44:1-5, 54:1-3, 13 regarding children.


 


NOTE: Brenton Septuagint Translation the Lord also is pleased to take away from the travail of his soul, to shew him light, and to form him with understanding; to justify the just one who serves many well; and he shall bear their sins.


 


 


 


 


 


 


Isaiah 53:11 The correct translation should be the Servant will cause many to be just. The Jewish mission was to be a "light to the nations."


 


INTERNAL VERSES: Isa. 2:3-4



EXTERNAL VERSES: Deut. 4:5-8; Zec 8:23,Mic 4:2-3.

 


 


 


 


 


 


Isaiah 53:12:The nations will hand over their wealth/tribute to Israel.


 


INTERNAL VERSES: See Isa 25:6-8, 26:15, 27:6, 29:22-24, 49:22-23, 60:14-16, 61:6-7



EXTERNAL VERSES: Jer 30:16, Zec 14:14









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