Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 51:201 (Jan 1894)
Article: The Suffering Servant, As Recorded In Isaiah 53
Author: William Wallace Martin

BSac 51:201 (Jan 1894) p. 143

The Suffering Servant, As Recorded In Isaiah 53

Rev. Prof. W. W. Martin

An advantage will be gained in this investigation, if we clearly define the hypothesis with which we set out. If a mere discussion of words could have settled all the perplexing questions connected with this marvellous chapter, the clear meaning of the chapter would not now be in doubt. Our first assumption is, that the expression “Arm of Jehovah” is the name of a person; or, at least, whatever “My Servant” may mean in this chapter, the same is meant by the phrase “Arm of Jehovah.” Our second assumption is, that this “Arm of Jehovah” is an object of prophecy. Not yet is the revelation of him accomplished. However, a promise of his coming is made, that thereby the hearts of all may not faint in the time of trial. We propose the following translation, arranging the chapter in a strophical form, and we will discuss the ideas of the chapter under the various strophes.

I.

Who hath believed what we have heard?
And unto whom shall we reveal the Arm of Jehovah?
For he shall come up as a plant before them,
And as a root out of dry ground :
He shall have no beauty,
And no majesty, that we should look at him,
And no appearance, that we should desire him.

II.

He shall be despised, and forsaken of men;
A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:

BSac 51:201 (Jan 1894) p. 144

And as one who hides his face from us,
We shall despise and consider him not.
Nevertheless, he bears our griefs,
And our sorrows he carries;
While we consider him stricken,
Smitten of God and afflicted.
Yea, he is pierced by our sins,
Bruised by our transgressions :
The chastisement of our peace is upon him,
And through his wounds we are healed.

III.

All we like sheep have strayed;
Each has followed his own way;
But Jehovah atones by him
The erring of us all.
He is brought near and he is afflicted,
Yet he openeth not his mouth;
He is brought as a lamb for slaughter,
And as a sheep before her shearers;
He is dumb and openeth not his mouth.
From prison and judgment he is taken.
Who will think of his generation?
For he is cut off from the land of the living.

IV.

By the sin of my people he is smitten.
And his grave is appointed with the wicked,
But with the rich is his sepulchre;
For he did no violence,
And in his mouth was no deceit.
Jehovah was pleased at his smiting,
When he was smitten with grief;
Though his life was offered as a sin offering,
He shall see seed, shall have...