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A Grave Assigned
Isaiah 53:9–12 describes Yahweh’s servant as innocent, suffering, connected with death, and then seeing the light. The passage explains what his suffering does for others and how Yahweh responds to him.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, Isaiah presents a connected prophecy about Yahweh’s servant. The servant is described as innocent, yet suffering and dying. The passage then speaks of an offering for sin, bearing iniquities, justifying many, interceding for transgressors, and receiving honour from Yahweh.
Isaiah 53:9–12Main takeaway
Isaiah 53:9–12 teaches that Yahweh’s righteous servant suffers innocently, bears the sins of many, and will see the light, prolong his days, and be honoured.
Explore the message
01Death is mentioned, but so is innocenceVerse 9 speaks of the servant’s grave and death, placing him with “the wicked” and “a rich man”.
Explanation
Verse 9 speaks of the servant’s grave and death, placing him with “the wicked” and “a rich man”. Yet the same verse insists he had done “no violence” and had “no deceit” in his mouth. The passage makes clear that this suffering is not explained by his own wrongdoing.
02His suffering is linked to an offering for sinVerse 10 says Yahweh caused the servant to suffer, and it explains this with the phrase “an offering for sin”.
Explanation
Verse 10 says Yahweh caused the servant to suffer, and it explains this with the phrase “an offering for sin”. The verse does not stop at suffering. It also says he will “see his offspring”, “prolong his days”, and that “Yahweh’s pleasure will prosper in his hand”.
03The righteous servant helps manyVerses 11 and 12 call him “my righteous servant” and say that after suffering he will “see the light and be satisfied”.
Explanation
Verses 11 and 12 call him “my righteous servant” and say that after suffering he will “see the light and be satisfied”. He will “justify many”, “bear their iniquities”, and “made intercession for the transgressors”. Because of this, Yahweh gives him “a portion with the great”.
Questions to explore
01How does verse 9 contrast the servant’s death with his character?
Notice the burial language, then the two statements that deny violence and deceit.
02What does verse 10 say will happen after the servant is made an offering for sin?
Look for the three results named after his suffering.
03What actions for others are named in verses 11 and 12?
List the phrases about justifying, bearing iniquities or sins, and interceding.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 53:9–12
9They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10Yet 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. He will prolong his days and Yahweh’s pleasure will prosper in his hand.
11After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.
12Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.