Faithlife Study Bible (FSB) is your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments, with study notes and articles that draw from a wide range of academic research. FSB helps you learn how to think about interpretation methods and issues so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the text.
53:2–11 The prophet describes how God will restore and reconcile His people. The oracle both critiques the people and tells what will come to pass.
The final Servant in 52:13–53:12 fulfills many of the obligations of the previous servants—making Him the Servant par excellence. For example, the Servant in 52:13–53:12 “makes many to be accounted righteous,” like the Servant in 42:1 “brings forth justice” (compare 42:2 and 53:6–7; 42:3 and 53:2; 42:6; 49:6 and 53:12; 43:10 and 52:13). The Servant in 52:13–53:12 becomes the one who finally, and ultimately, accomplishes what Yahweh deemed necessary to restore and reconcile His people to Himself.
53:10–12 This passage is not a poem about the distraught feelings of a prophet. Instead, it involves a prophet speaking about the injustice done against the Servant—an injustice he has witnessed by means of divine revelation.
53:11 he will see All intact Dead Sea Scrolls manuscripts and the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Bible) contain the word “light”; the Masoretic Text simply reads “he will see.” The most probable original text is “he will see light” (Dead Sea Scrolls) or “he will show him light” (Septuagint). The word “light” is required for the text to make sense poetically. This variant is a sign that the Servant experiences postmortem life, though it is not the only sign.
he will be satisfied The Servant may be satisfied by the fact that he has fulfilled Yahweh’s will (Isa 53:10). It is also possible that he is satisfied because he has suffered for the transgressions of God’s people (vv. 5–7). Or, the Servant could be satisfied in his resurrected life.
In his knowledge An elaboration on the previous line. The Servant knows that he has borne the iniquities of many and will make many righteous. He has learned this through his anguish (his suffering).
my servant Yahweh begins speaking again.
shall declare many righteous Like Israel—as Yahweh’s servant—was commanded to bring forth justice to the nations, the Servant makes many righteous.
Isaiah 40:2 states that Jerusalem has served her term, that her iniquity is pardoned, and that she has received from Yahweh’s hand double for all her sins (40:2). Based on this passage, it seems that there is no further need for Yahweh to help her with her sin and iniquity problem. However, the text speaks of restoration, not a fully reconciled relationship with Yahweh (40:3–5). The sin and iniquity that resulted in God’s people being exiled has been paid for, which means that Israel’s people will be restored to the land. But for God’s people to be reconciled with Him, it is not just Israel’s previous sin and iniquities that need to be paid for; the people themselves must be made right. God’s people need to be made righteous. This is precisely what the Servant accomplishes.
God’s people may sin again after being restored to their land. For this reason, they need someone to make intercession for them, which is what the Servant does in v. 12.
will bear their iniquities The iniquities of the people are placed upon the Servant (similar to the goat on the Day of Atonement in Lev 16:22).
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Is 53:11). Lexham Press.
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