The 53rd chapter of Isaiah is a beautiful, poetic song, one of the four “Servant Songs” in which the prophet describes the climactic period of world history when the Messiah will arrive and the Jewish people assume the role as the spiritual leaders of humanity.
Isaiah 53 is a prophecy foretelling how the world will react when they witness Israel's salvation in the Messianic era. The verses are presented from the perspective of world leaders, who contrast their former scornful attitude toward the Jews with their new realization of Israel's grandeur. After realizing how unfairly they treated the Jewish people, they will be shocked and speechless.
While the original Hebrew text clearly refers to the Jewish people as the “Suffering Servant,” over the centuries Isaiah 53 has become a cornerstone of the Christian claim that Jesus is the Messiah. Unfortunately, this claim is based on widespread mistranslations and distortion of context.
In order to properly understand these verses, one must read the original Hebrew text. When the Bible is translated into other languages, it loses much of its essence. The familiar King James translation uses language which is archaic and difficult for the modern reader. Furthermore, it is not rooted in Jewish sources and often goes against traditional Jewish teachings. Modern translations, while more readable, are often even more divorced from the true meaning of the text.
For an accurate Jewish translation of the Bible, read the “ArtScroll English Tanach."
The Context of Isaiah 53
The key to deciphering any biblical text is to view it in context. Isaiah 53 is the fourth of the four “Servant Songs.” (The others are found in Isaiah chapters 42, 49 and 50.) Though the “servant” in Isaiah 53 is not openly identified – these verses merely refer to “My servant” (52:13, 53:11) – the “servant” in each of the previous Servant Songs is plainly and repeatedly identified as the Jewish nation. Beginning with chapter 41, the equating of God’s Servant with the nation of Israel is made nine times by the prophet Isaiah, and no one other than Israel is identified as the “servant”:
- “You are My servant, O Israel” (41:8)
- “You are My servant, Israel” (49:3)
- see also Isaiah 44:1, 44:2, 44:21, 45:4, 48:20
The Bible is filled with other references to the Jewish people as God’s “servant”; see Jeremiah 30:10, 46:27-28; Psalms 136:22. There is no reason that the “servant” in Isaiah 53 would suddenly switch and refer to someone other than the Jewish people.
One obvious question that needs to be addressed: How can the “Suffering Servant,” which the verses refer to grammatically in the singular, be equated with the entire Jewish nation?
The Jewish people are consistently referred to with the singular pronoun.
This question evaporates when we discover that throughout the Bible, the Jewish people are consistently referred to as a singular entity, using the singular pronoun. For example, when God speaks to the entire Jewish nation at Mount Sinai, all of the Ten Commandments are written as if speaking to an individual (Exodus 20:1-14). This is because the Jewish people are one unit, bound together with a shared national destiny (see Exodus 4:22, Deuteronomy chapter 32). This singular reference is even more common in biblical verses referring to the Messianic era, when the Jewish people will be fully united under the banner of God (see Hosea 14:6-7, Jeremiah 50:19).
As we will see, for numerous reasons this chapter cannot be referring to Jesus. Even in the Christian scriptures, the disciples did not consider the Suffering Servant as referring to Jesus (see Matthew 16:21-22, Mark 9:31-32, Luke 9:44-45).
So how did the Suffering Servant come to be associated with Jesus? After his death, the promoters of Christianity retroactively looked into the Bible and “applied” – through mistranslation and distortion of context – these biblical verses as referring to Jesus.
Missionary apologist Walter Riggans candidly admitted:
“There is no self-evident blueprint in the Hebrew Bible which can be said to unambiguously point to Jesus. Only after one has come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, and more specifically the kind of Messiah that he is, does it all begin to make sense...” (Yehoshua Ben David, Olive Press 1995, p.155)
The intention is not to denigrate another religion, but rather to understand the true meaning of the Divine word.
Isaiah 53 – Line by Line
Early in the Book of Isaiah, God predicts the long and difficult exile of the Jewish people. Chapter 53 occurs in the midst of Isaiah's "Messages of Consolation," which tell of the restoration of Israel to prominence as God's chosen people.
The key to understanding this chapter lies in correctly identifying who is speaking. Though the book was written by Isaiah, verses 53:1-10 are told from the perspective of world leaders. Following in the footsteps of the previous chapter (Isaiah 52:15 – “the kings will shut their mouths in amazement”), these verses describe how world leaders will be shocked with disbelief when God’s Servant Israel – despite all contrary expectations – is vindicated and blossoms in the Messianic age.
(1) Who would believe what we have heard! For whom has the arm of God been revealed!
מִי הֶאֱמִין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵנוּ וּזְרוֹעַ יְהוָה עַל מִי נִגְלָתָה
In this opening verse, world leaders are shocked at the incredible news of Israel’s salvation: “Who would believe what we have heard!”
This verse refers to “the arm of God.” Throughout the Jewish Bible, God's "arm" (זרוע) always denotes a redemption of the Jewish people from physical persecution. For example, God took the Jews out of Egypt “with a strong hand and an outstretched arm” (Deut. 26:8). (See also Exodus 3:20, 6:6, 14:31, 15:6; Deut. 4:34, 7:19; Isaiah 51:9, 52:10, 62:8, 63:12; Jeremiah 21:5, 27:5; Ezekiel 20:33; Psalms 44:3, 89:11, 98:1, 136:12).
(2) He formerly grew like a sapling or a root from dry ground; he had neither form nor beauty. We saw him, but without a desirable appearance.
וַיַּעַל כַּיּוֹנֵק לְפָנָיו וְכַשּׁרֶשׁ מֵאֶרֶץ צִיָּה לא תאַר לוֹ וְלא הָדָר וְנִרְאֵהוּ וְלא מַרְאֶה וְנֶחְמְדֵהוּ
This imagery of a tree struggling to grow in dry earth is a metaphor for the Jewish struggle in exile. A young sapling in dry ground appears that it will die. The Jews were always a small nation, at times as small as 2 million people, threatened with extinction. In this verse Isaiah describes Israel’s miraculous return from exile, like a sapling that sprouts from this dry ground. This idea appears throughout the Jewish Bible (see Isaiah 60:21, Ezekiel 19:13, Hosea 14:6-7, Amos 9:15).
(3) He was despised and rejected of men, a man of pains and accustomed to sickness. As one from whom we would hide our faces, he was despised, and we had no regard for him.
נִבְזֶה וַחֲדַל אִישִׁים אִישׁ מַכְאבוֹת וִידוּעַ חלִי וּכְמַסְתֵּר פָּנִים מִמֶּנּוּ נִבְזֶה וְלא חֲשַׁבְנֻהוּ
This verse describes the Servant as universally despised and rejected. This has been a historical theme for the Jewish people, as a long list of oppressors have treated the Jews as sub-human (the Nazis) or as a pariah state (the United Nations). See similar imagery in Isaiah 49:7, 60:15; Psalms 44:14; Nechemia 3:36.
While this description clearly applies to Israel, it cannot be reconciled with the New Testament account which describes Jesus as immensely popular (Matthew 4:25). “Large crowds” of people came from far and wide to hear him speak, and Jesus had to sail into the water to avoid being overrun by the crowds (Mark 3:7-9). Luke 2:52 describes him as physically strong and well respected, a man whose popularity spread and was "praised by all" (Luke 4:14-15). A far cry from Isaiah’s description of “despised and rejected.”
Although Jesus died a criminal's death, Isaiah is describing someone for whom rejection has spanned the ages – obviously referring to a nation, not an individual who suffered rejection for only a few hours.
(4) Indeed, he bore our illnesses and carried our pains – but we regarded him as diseased, stricken by God and afflicted.
אָכֵן חֳלָיֵנוּ הוּא נָשָׂא וּמַכְאבֵינוּ סְבָלָם וַאֲנַחְנוּ חֲשַׁבְנֻהוּ נָגוּעַ מֻכֵּה אֱלהִים וּמְעֻנֶּה
Throughout the centuries of Israel’s exile, many nations persecuted the Jews on the pretense that it was God’s way of “punishing” the “accursed” Jews for having stubbornly rejected the new religions. In these verses, until the end of the chapter, the nations confess how they used the Jewish people as scapegoats, not for the “noble” reasons they had long claimed.
Indeed, the nations selfishly persecuted the Jews as a distraction from their own corrupt regimes: “Surely our suffering he did bear, and our pains he carried...” (53:4)
(5) He was wounded as a result of our transgressions, and crushed as a result of our iniquities. The chastisement upon him was for our benefit; and through his wounds we were healed.
וְהוּא מְחלָל מִפְּשָׁעֵנוּ מְדֻכָּא מֵעֲוֽנתֵינוּ מוּסַר שְׁלוֹמֵנוּ עָלָיו וּבַחֲבֻרָתוֹ נִרְפָּא לָנוּ
This verse describes how the humbled world leaders confess that Jewish suffering occurred as a direct result of “our iniquities” – i.e., depraved Jew-hatred, rather than, as previously claimed, the stubborn blindness of the Jews.
Isaiah 53:5 is a classic example of mistranslation: The verse does not say, “He was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities,” which could convey the vicarious suffering ascribed to Jesus. Rather, the proper translation is: “He was wounded because of our transgressions, and crushed because of our iniquities.” This conveys that the Servant suffered as a result of the sinfulness of others – not the opposite as Christians contend – that the Servant suffered to atone for the sins of others.
Indeed, the Christian idea directly contradicts the basic Jewish teaching that God promises forgiveness to all who sincerely return to Him; thus there is no need for the Messiah to atone for others (Isaiah 55:6-7, Jeremiah 36:3, Ezekiel chapters 18 and 33, Hoseah 14:1-3, Jonah 3:6-10, Proverbs 16:6, Daniel 4:27, 2-Chronicles 7:14).
(6) We have all strayed like sheep, each of us turning his own way, and God inflicted upon him [Israel] the iniquity of us all.
כֻּלָּנוּ כַּצּאן תָּעִינוּ אִישׁ לְדַרְכּוֹ פָּנִינוּ וַיהוָה הִפְגִּיעַ בּוֹ אֵת עֲון כֻּלָּנוּ.
The nations realize that their lack of proper leadership (“shepherd”) caused them to treat the Jews with disdain. They further acknowledge how punishments that should have befallen the nations were averted through Israel’s suffering.
(7) He was persecuted and afflicted, but he did not open his mouth. Like a sheep being led to the slaughter or a lamb that is silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.
נִגַּשׂ וְהוּא נַעֲנֶה וְלא יִפְתַּח פִּיו כַּשֶּׂה לַטֶּבַח יוּבָל וּכְרָחֵל לִפְנֵי גֽזְזֶיהָ נֶאֱלָמָה וְלא יִפְתַּח פִּיו
In various contexts, the Bible uses the imagery of “sheep led to the slaughter” specifically in reference to the Jewish people. For example: "You give us as sheep to be eaten and have scattered us among the nations... we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered" (Psalms 44:12, 23).
This verse prophesizes the many hardships – both physical torment and economic exploitation – that the Jews endured in exile. Ironically, this prophecy refers in part to the 11th century Crusaders who "persecuted and afflicted” the Jews in the name of Jesus. In our time, while Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe were "led to the slaughter," they still remained like a "lamb that is silent before her shearers" – without complaints against God.
(8) He was released from captivity and judgment; who could have imagined such a generation? For he was removed from the land of the living; because of my people's sin they were afflicted.
מֵעצֶר וּמִמִּשְׁפָּט לֻקָּח וְאֶת דּוֹרוֹ מִי יְשׂוֹחֵחַ כִּי נִגְזַר מֵאֶרֶץ חַיִּים מִפֶּשַׁע עַמִּי נֶגַע לָמוֹ
The phrase, "land of the living” (Eretz HaChaim) refers specifically to the Land of Israel. Thus this verse, “He was removed from the land of the living,” does not mean that the servant was killed, but rather was exiled from the Land of Israel.
This verse again describes the world’s surprise at witnessing the Jewish return to the Promised Land. "Who could have imagined” that the nation we tortured now prospers? World leaders offer a stunning confession: “Because of my people’s sin, they [the Jews] were afflicted.”
Here the text makes absolutely clear that the oppressed Servant is a collective nation, not a single individual. This is where knowledge of biblical Hebrew is absolutely crucial. At the end of the verse, the Hebrew word for “they were” (lamoh – לָמוֹ) always refers to a group, never to an individual. (see for example, Psalms 99:7)
(9) He submitted his grave to evil people; and the wealthy submitted to his executions, for committing no crime, and with no deceit in his mouth.
וַיִּתֵּן אֶת רְשָׁעִים קִבְרוֹ וְאֶת עָשִׁיר בְּמתָיו על לא חָמָס עָשָׂה וְלא מִרְמָה בְּפִיו
Missionaries cite this verse as a claim that Jesus lived a sinless life, and was thus the Messiah. This is contradicted, however, by the Gospels themselves, who record that Jesus sinned by violating the Sabbath (John 9:16) and – by claiming to be God Himself – violating the grave prohibition against making any physical image of God (John 10:33, 14:9-10).
Throughout history, Jews were given the choice to “convert or die.” Yet as this verse describes, there was “no deceit in his mouth” – the loyal Jews refused to accept a pagan deity as their God. Rather than profane God’s Holy Name, they “submitted to the grave” – i.e. chose to die rather than renounce their faith. As such these Jews were often denied proper burial, discarded “to the grave as evil people.”
Further, wealthy Jews "submitted to his executions, for committing no crime" – killed so that wicked conquerors could confiscate their riches.
(10) God desired to oppress him and He afflicted him. If his soul would acknowledge guilt, he would see offspring and live long days, and God’s purpose would succeed in his hand.
ויהוָה חָפֵץ דַּכְּאוֹ הֶחֱלִי אִם תָּשִׂים אָשָׁם נַפְשׁוֹ יִרְאֶה זֶרַע יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים וְחֵפֶץ יְהוָה בְּיָדוֹ יִצְלָח
"God desired to oppress” the Jewish people, in order to inspire them to return to Torah observance. If the Jews would only "acknowledge guilt," they would see their "offspring and live long days." This refers to the Messianic era when all Jews will return to Torah observance.
This verse emphasizes that the Servant is to be rewarded with long life and many children. This verse could not possibly refer to Jesus who, according to the New Testament, died young and childless. (Furthermore, if Jesus was alleged to be the immortal Son of God, it is absurd to apply the concept of “living long days.”)
Although missionaries may claim that the “offspring” refers to spiritual descendants, this is based on a distortion and mistranslation. In this verse, the Hebrew word for "offspring" (zera - זֶרַע) always refers to physical descendants (see Genesis 12:7, 15:2-4, 15:13, 46:6; Exodus 28:43). A different word, banim (בנים), generally translated as "sons," is used to refer to spiritual descendants (see Deut. 14:1).
(11) He would see the purpose and be satisfied with his soul's distress. With his knowledge My servant will cause the masses to be righteous; and he will bear their sins.
מֵעֲמַל נַפְשׁוֹ יִרְאֶה יִשְׂבָּע בְּדַעְתּוֹ יַצְדִּיק צַדִּיק עַבְדִּי לָרַבִּים וַעֲוֹנתָם הוּא יִסְבּל
Missionaries cite this verse to claim that Jesus died for our sins. The Christian idea of one’s sins being forgiven through the suffering of another person goes against the basic biblical teaching that each individual has to atone for his own sins by repenting. (Exodus 32:32-33, Deut. 24:16, Ezekiel 18:1-4)
This verse describes how God’s Servant “will cause the masses to be righteous” – not as some mistranslate, “he will justify the many." The Jewish mission is to serve as a "light to the nations," leading the world to righteousness through knowledge of the one true God. The Jews will accomplish this both by example (Deut. 4:5-8; Zechariah 8:23) and by instructing the nations in God's Law (Isaiah 2:3-4; Micah 4:2-3). As it says: “The world will become full of the knowledge of God, as water covers the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
(12) Therefore, I will assign him a portion in public and he will divide the mighty as spoils – in return for having poured out his soul for death and being counted among the wicked, for he bore the sin of the many, and prayed for the wicked.
לָכֵן אֲחַלֶּק לוֹ בָרַבִּים וְאֶת עֲצוּמִים יְחַלֵּק שָׁלָל תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱרָה לַמָּוֶת נַפְשׁוֹ וְאֶת פּֽשְׁעִים נִמְנָה וְהוּא חֵטְא רַבִּים נָשָׂא וְלַפּֽשְׁעִים יַפְגִּיעַ
This verse speaks of how the Jews always pray for the welfare of the nations they are exiled into (see Jeremiah 29:7). The verse continues to explain that the Jewish people, who righteously bore the sins of the world and yet remained faithful to God, will be rewarded.
Regarding the above passage, some have claimed that the "suffering servant" cannot be Israel, since Israel has sins. Yet this is a fallacy, since we know that no human being – not even Moses – is completely free of sin. Yet Moses was considered “righteous,” which takes into account not only one's good deeds, but also one's repentance after sin. If Jesus is God, these ideas have no meaning.
Immediately following this promise of reward for the Jews’ suffering (53:10-12), chapter 54 clearly speaks of the redemption which awaits the Jewish people. This point is acknowledged by all Christian commentaries.
Conclusion
In the days of Jesus, nobody ever understood Isaiah 53 to be predicting the death of the Messiah. When Jesus said, "I am going to Jerusalem where I will suffer and die," the Apostle Peter did not relate this in any way to the suffering described in Isaiah 53. Rather, Peter rebuked Jesus, saying, "Be it far from you Lord, this shall not be unto you." In other words, "God forbid – that cannot happen to you!" Peter never expected the Messiah to be tortured and killed (see Matthew 16:21-22).
Interestingly, the 20th century Christian New English Bible – Oxford Study Edition (annotation on Isaiah 52:13-53:12) clearly identifies the Suffering Servant as the nation of Israel which “has suffered as a humiliated individual."
If the context of Isaiah 53 so clearly refers to the Jewish people, how could so many Christian leaders have mistranslated the Bible? History shows that – for whatever motivation – many did so knowingly:
- Lucius Coelius Firmianes Lactantius, 3rd century Church leader: "Among those who seek power and gain from their religion, there will never be wanting an inclination to forge and lie for it."
- St. Gregory, 4th century Bishop of Nanianzus: "A little jargon is all that is necessary to impose on the people. The less they comprehend, the more they admire. Our forefathers and doctors have often said not what they thought, but what circumstances and necessity dictated."
- Dr. Herbert Marsh, 19th century English Bishop: "It is a certain fact that several readings in our common printed text are nothing more than alterations made by Origen..."
- Walter Brueggemann Ph.D., an ordained minister and author of 60 books on the Bible, writes: "[A]lthough it is clear that this poetry does not have Jesus in any first instance on its horizon, it is equally clear that the church, from the outset, has found the poetry a poignant and generative way to consider Jesus, wherein humiliation equals crucifixion and exaltation equals resurrection and ascension."
Why It Matters
When all the verses have been parsed, and all the proofs have been presented, one still might wonder: What difference does it make who is right?
The theological gap between Judaism and Christianity is not limited to the question: "Who is the Messiah," or a debate over the translation of a few biblical verses. Judaism and Christianity are two different belief systems, differing over core issues such as the existential nature of man, the role of our relationship with God, and the path to genuine spiritual fulfillment.
Jews have held steadfast to their beliefs for thousands of years, amidst all forms of persecution and hardship. They have done so in the belief that the Jewish people – as bearers of God’s message of morality and justice – have a unique and crucial role to play in human history. As the prophet Isaiah predicts, this will become eminently clear when the Messiah, the King of Israel, arrives. May it be speedily in our day.
Resources
For further study, see www.outreachjudaism.org, www.jewsforjudaism.org, www.jewishisaiah53.com and www.peninataylor.com, from which much of the information for this article was derived.
For an exploration of the core differences between Judaism and Christianity, see Rabbi Benjamin Blech’s online course: “Deed and Creed.”
For more on why Jesus can’t possibly be the Messiah, read Aish.com’s “Why Jews Don’t Believe in Jesus.”
For an accurate Jewish translation of the Bible, read the “ArtScroll English Tanach."
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(33) Anonymous, June 2, 2015 1:31 AM
Silence?
Many arguments, many "proofs"
We can testify all we want of ourselves, however if there is no testimony from others about our arguments then??????
No one with an inkling of history will testify the Jews suffer in silence, ever.
It would be more true of the Roma people, Where is the Gypsy holocaust museum?
Many other truths but who has ever been able to tell a Jew anything? Moses? Samuel? Jeremiah? Isaiah? Malachi?
Even G-d? ( Exo 20:18-19, Deut 28)
A goy who tries, is met with shrieks, "antisemite!"
A Jew who tries is met with shrieks "self loathing Jew!"
Meanwhile, continue to bow down to a stone wall while your enemies proudly worship above you.
And continue to cry for your messiah to come.
And continue to wonder why he doesn't.
Mike, June 29, 2016 7:37 AM
I think you have already referred to yourself
whether you are a Jew or Gentile. Your post is indeed full of antisemitism as evidenced by the degree of conviction that you express in combination with the clear lack of actual understanding of the Jewish scripture (in other words you basically never really dealt with it) - clear to anyone who has when he reads your words.
You would be well advised to drop your pretenses and nonsense that you know not to be true.
If you believe that the Jewish scripture is the word of God, why don't you take it seriously? It clearly says that the Jews ARE the chosen people, chosen to be a witness, that they will suffer a lot, but they will ultimately be redeemed to great glory, while their enemies will be cast into everlasting shame.
A cursory reading of say Ezekiel will dispell all doubt that there will be an ultimate redemption for the Jewish people. Anyone who says differently might as well say that he does not regard the Jewish scripture to be the authorative.
You can not have your personal speculations (obviously taken to a large extent from christian sources) and superimpose that on the Jewish scripture/Tanach and thereby "invalidate" Tanach.
On the contrary, Tanach utterly refutes your speculations (that ironically you claim come from Tanach).
A person has a freedom of choice, also the freedom to make bad choices. You should take the Jewish message seriously because everything else will be doomed.
(32) "Gershom", November 2, 2014 8:54 PM
One reference correction, otherwise, praise for the article's quality...
Great article ! As I was looking up the references given under vs. 5 as support for "there is no need for the Messiah to atone for others", I discovered that the Daniel 4:27 reference is likely a "typo" and should actually read "Daniel 4:24".
I've copied and filed these verses for later use. Many thanks to the author !
(31) vilbert, October 4, 2014 1:44 PM
very thought provoking artile
this makes to me to re read the chapter
(30) Anonymous, August 17, 2014 5:21 AM
Excellent
After living for approximately 35 years as a sincere Christian, One night, I found myself attending a presentation at my church by Jews for JC. The event "rocked my world," and I immediately purchased several books on the topic, and began studying the Jewish Roots of Christianity. These studies eventually led to my observing the true Shabbat and the Biblical festivals and it wasn't until years later that I realized that I was hooked-- On Judaism!! Obviously, the Jews for JC presentation backfired for me and eventually my children, since we all self-identify as Jews! Although the nearest Orthodox Synagogue is almost 3-hours away and ongoing personal, health, automotive and financial challenges have made regular (Orthodox) attendance out-of-the question, I eventually accepted my current reality and completed Jewish conversion through my small, local (non-Orthodox) synagogue. Although my situation is far from ideal, I know it is the best I can do, given my current situation, but I eagerly look forward to entering the next phase of my life as an Orthodox Jew. Thank you for a clear and concise review of this controversial passage-- You have given me more fuel to shoot-down the arguments of those Bible-Belt Christians who often feel the need to "save my soul."
(29) B M Rosenberg, May 13, 2014 1:22 PM
PROOF
although missionaries try to bring proof from nach, you don't even need to go that far to disprove them. For an interesting and hilarious shiur that dissproves all other religions check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DPs5Or05JA
(28) Andre Ranulfo, November 9, 2013 8:06 PM
Right on time.
I was really looking for this answer. I'm already tired to answer these people who always asking me about Isaiah 53. I knew part of the answer, but this article goes deep into the text and cease any further questions. Todah Rabah!
(27) Joey, November 8, 2013 2:20 AM
Really?!?
As an Orthodox Jew - I believe with all my heart that I'm not waiting to be vindicated but it's incumbent on me to bring Mashiach with every thought, action, in all that I do. Trying to disprove why JC is not the true messiah is a complete waste of time. Working on ourselves to MAKE it happen is what we need to do. All other is a complete waste of tiime and distractions from satan.
(26) Ian Forsyth, November 8, 2013 12:42 AM
Is that all
We will all face God in the end or when Messiah comes. At that time it will be abundantly clear who He is.
We all must be very sure we do not follow after false Messiah's or miss the one true one.
May God grant you wisdom and discernment.
(25) Eliyahu, November 7, 2013 2:51 AM
Messiah
The ZOHAR says that Messiah suffers because of our sins and quotes this pasuk in Isaish 53. The Kabbala teaches that all Tzaddikim suffer for our sins and it does help cleanse us. It may not do a full job, but it definitely helps purify the Jewish people
Anonymous, November 10, 2013 12:47 PM
Targum Onkelos
Actually, the verse in question is Isaiah 52:12-13
Which the Targum renders as a reference to the Messiah. The author in this article has taken great pains to show that the servant song of Isaiah 53 is indeed referring to the nation of Israel. This is the simple meaning of the verses, however it is not clear from the text itself, since the Hebrew is at times very hard to understand. It is with the help of the context and Rashi that the simple meaning is achieved. The Targum renders one verse out of the entire song, as a reference to the Messiah, however that does not detract at all from the simple meaning of the verses, which is true. Judaism has a tradition that certain righteous individuals suffer for the sins of the generation. That is also true, but that context is very different to the Christian context. Christians believe that Jesus died for all mankind, and without which no-one will enter the Kingdom of God. Judaism totally rejects this notion. Yes, we have sins, yes the righteous suffer because of them, that doesn't mean that the death of any righteous person atones for the sins of all mankind to the extent that without such atonement, no-one may go to heaven. It is absurd theologically from a Jewish perspective. Nonetheless, this digression has nothing to do with the simple meaning of Isaiah 53. The simple meaning is an accepted fact and is undisputed. Layers of meaning beyond that require further inquiry and do not negate the simple meaning.
(24) Anonymous, November 7, 2013 1:04 AM
Important for Jews to know, but impossible for Christians to hear
Any two-bit missionary has heard this before, and without batting an eye will respond to the facts with "right, so there are two servants: the Jews, and, prime among them, Jesus". Of course, Isaiah introduces the Jews and only the Jews as the suffering servant, and Jesus' insertion by Christendom is baseless...but pointing that out has not stopped them from continuing to willfully err/mislead. Bottom line: don't waste your time debating with a missionary--they have no interest in truth and exist only in a self-imposed, voluntary delusional alternative reality with respect to the Bible.
Anonymous, November 7, 2013 8:41 PM
appreciate the tip
I was going to print this entire article since, unfortunately I have to have a "Messianic Jew" at my Shabbos table (a long story, can't go into the details) Now I know not to bother, we'll just talk shtussim instead (recipes, fashion, blah, blah, blah) much easier! thanks again!
Leah, November 8, 2013 5:57 AM
Anonymous, it's worth the bother
Print it and show it. If you help a Jew turn away from this belief you have saved many Jewish souls.
Amir, November 7, 2013 11:41 PM
understanding missionaries
what is it about their approach that creates such a disinterest for truth or for considering things rationally? Could it be that they so badly want a particular conception of G-d that they therefore will embrace that concept regardless of how illogical and counter intuitive it is?
Simchah, November 8, 2013 6:10 AM
I AGREE, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME.
HI Y'ALL FROM THE DEEP SOUTH, THIS IS A GREAT ARTICLE, VERY INFORMATIVE, BUT I MUST ADMIT I'AM KIND OF PERPLEXED WHO'S THIS FOR JEWS KNOW THIS AND CHISTIANS IS NOT GOING TO BELIEVE IT NO MATTER WHAT THE TORAH SAYS, SOMEHOW IT'S HAS BECOME THEIR BOOK, EVEN THOUGH THEY CALL IT THE HEBREW BIBLE, SEEMS TO ME WHEN WE FOUND HIM AND HIS WHOLE FAMILY IN A JEWISH TOMB, I THOUGHT THE "GIG" WAS UP, BOY WAS I WRONG !!! TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, FIRST TO MR ROTH OR REBBE ROTH GREAT ARTICLE YOUR TORAH KNOWLEDGE IS OUTSTADING, BUT LET US REMEMBER THE WORDS OF THE BAAL SHEM TOV, A MANS WORDS ARE LIMITED WHEN THEY ARE USED UP SO IS THE MAN'S DAYS ON EARTH, SO PLEASE DON'T WASTE THEM, FOR THEY ARE FEW. AND BY THE WAY THERE IS ONLY ONE RELIGION, FOR ALL THE OTHERS HASHEM GAVE TO THE CHILDREN OF NOACH THE LAWS TO LIVE BY, WHY GO MAKE UP SOMETHING ELSE ? IE THE OTHER TWO OR THREE AH EVER HOW MANY THEY ARE THESE DAYS, SEEMS TO BE A NEW ONE EVERYDAY. ANYWAY A GREAT READ. SABBOT SHOLOM
(23) Anthony, December 1, 2012 12:54 PM
Why Plural/singular Isaiah and Servant
I take your point that Israel is often referred in singular and plural in different parts of the Bible and even Male / Female but can you give me any other examples when within the same Book this occurs. Why would Isaiah switch metaphors like this ? with this logic how can we know if there is to be a Messiah as a singular entity at all when all the references could be talking purely about the people of ancient Israel and their descendants. Or are we free to pick and choice according to what we want to listen to?
(22) Boaz, August 20, 2012 6:25 PM
Error that needs to be corrected
Overall an excellent article and I second the cited sources for further research. As a former Xian minister turned anti-missionary I deal with this topic a lot with family and friends, and other searching souls sent my way. However, one correction needs to be made in the first point under the "Context of Isa. 53": The word "servant" is also used in Isaiah Ch.42 and there it refers to Mashiach per the Targum et al. such as Radak. So in the article where it states that "no one other than Israel is identified as the 'Servant'" it's not entirely true. It's also applied to Mashiach, and our mesorah teaches that Ch.42 IS actually alluding to him there. Of course JC doesn't fulfill what's in Ch.42 either so it certainly doesn't take away from the argument :-)
(21) Ari, October 24, 2011 2:09 PM
Helps me a lot!
I am debating someonw who says they are an "orthodox catholic xtian" and makes claims such as "xtianity is more in keeping with the tenents of Judaism than modern Judaism is" and "Ancient Judaism knew Isaiah was about Moshiach and only changed their view of it AFTER xtianity came into being so that it would not fit their idea of Moshiach or their triune diety. Actually he quotes Michael Brown a lot and this article will help me refute him (although these people seems convinced that because Brown was born to Jewish parents he has a lock on what is and is not Jewish teachings. At any rate, this helps me a great deal. Great article!!! I will read it several times
(20) Anonymous, May 31, 2011 2:30 AM
good scholarship weoo done and important.
Very interesting, and surprising. It bears rereading, and some study for one who can read Hebrew without knowing the language beyond a few words. I appreciate your open scholarship on christian sources. Things are much better opened than covered up. sheila
(19) Heidi, May 27, 2011 9:07 PM
Thanks for the historical enlightenment -- Christianity has misappropriated this passage for far too long. Also -- I just ordered my first Tanach from Artscroll. My King James Bible just won't do anymore once I see the contortions the translators had to go through to make the Hebrew scriptures say what the Christians needed them to say. Shabbat Shalom!
(18) Jeff Allan, May 26, 2011 8:01 PM
We understand Eisav,he understandeth us not. Period!
You article is immensely important for our Jewish brethren ,who are and have been attacked consistantly with forced( untrue) and attempted conversions,through lack of understanding. Keep it up. Kol hakavod( good on you)
(17) Bithyah, May 25, 2011 5:18 PM
Suffering Servant
The Suffering Servant, at the time of being written is referring to Israel. At the time the only monotheist religion, and the Jewish people praying for those that did not believe in the one true God. Intercessory prayer, part of the task of repairing the world. Line 12, he prayed for the wicked, and was counted among the wicked because of standing in the gap, teaching others to come to the knowledge of God, was causing great pains to them. Isaiah was a prophet that preached hail and brimstone messages. Being a servant of God, what God requires of his people to love the righteous and the wicked. Israel, didn't leave the wicked to their own devise, whether through praying, teaching, preaching, and speaking, the servant is suffering for they did not keep the knowledge of God to themselves. Like the saying, "no good deed goes unpunished" Israel could of been the ones who came up with that saying, for they know.
(16) Gerald Sigal, May 24, 2011 3:22 PM
My book ISAIAH 53: WHO IS THE SERVANT?
In my book ISAIAH 53: WHO IS THE SERVANT? Part I discusses at length the midrashic use of this passage when referring to the Messiah. It also corrects the distortions missionaries have spread in confusing literal fulfillment and midrashic exposition. Part II explains Isaiah 53 verse by verse, Avaiable on Amazon and from the publisher Xlibris
(15) Anonymous, May 24, 2011 9:22 AM
Lets consider all Jewish sources
Early Talmudic Rabbis generally interpret Isaiah 53 as referring to the Messiah or a key individual such as Moses, Phineas or some righteous. Saadia Gaon interprets Isaish 53 as referring to Jeremiah. This means without exception that earliest Jewish sources interpret Isaiah 53 as refering to an Individual and in some cases the Messiah. While it is true that Rabbis such as Ibn Ezra interpret it as refering to Israel, The Ramban (Moshe Ben Nachman) accepted the Messianic interpretation. I am NOT promoting Christianity AT ALL, but I think Aish of all institutions should be more objective when dealing with this issue. Saying that Messianic interpretation has no basis in Jewish tradition is simply not correct. What Christians say should NOT influence Jewish truthfulness about its own sources.
Jeremiah Michael, May 24, 2011 6:12 PM
I more then agree. Of course the Rabbis are not referring to Jesus, no one is that stupid to think they are. And Rashi is not the first one to say it refers to Israel, that is just as ancient as the Talmudic texts that equate it with Messiah. It's sad to me how sometimes because of Christians aggressive use of certain texts we have shied away from certain view points that are espoused in the writings of chazal. We should be proud that this passage can go both ways.
Richard, May 24, 2011 11:05 PM
Same in principle
There should not be any argument as to who this means. The principle is the same for true believing Christians and Jews. Antisemitism abounds all over the world today as it did in the past. Today Christian Churches are being attact in muslim countries and very little is ever said about it by our media. The people we are supposed to be helping have hatred for the Jews and Christians as well.
Anonymous, May 26, 2011 12:46 PM
Amen
Wassim, June 4, 2011 5:19 AM
Don't forget, there is hatred and love on all sides
There are Muslims who hate. There are Muslims who love. There are Christians who hate. There are Christian who love. There are Jews who hate. There are Jews who love. The days for this anti-Muslim bias are numbered.
Marilyn, November 12, 2013 7:05 AM
Making sense here
This makes sense to me because if it is the truth you are espousing one should not be afraid to be objective, or try and silence those who disagree. I think this discussion has been healthy.
(14) keki snyman, May 24, 2011 3:40 AM
To interpret Isaiah 53 as speaking of Messiah in not non-Jewish. The original interpretation of Isaiah 53 by Jewish rabbis has been that it is speaking of an individual - Messiah Himself. The first one to expound this view was Shlomo Yizchaki, also known as Rashi (1040 -1105 A.D.)But it was contrary to ALLl rabbinic teaching of that day and of the preceding 1000 years. Maimonides stated very clearly that Rashi was completely wrong in going contrary to the traditional Jewish viewpoint. (Arnold Fruchtenbaum - Messianic Christology)
Chanya, May 24, 2011 11:11 AM
Keki Snyman - Hope you're not relying on Fruchtenbaum to interpret this (or any other) verse
It is true that some Rabbis talked about Isaiah 53 referring to the Messiah (see "Nice to See Answers to Missionaries, but . . . - below). But they were referring for the most part to Messiah ben Yosef, and it is very clear if you read them that they are not at all referring to J. Also, they knew of J's existence, so in saying that the passage referred to the Messiah, they clearly weren't talking about J since they didn't believe he was the Messiah. Contrary to missionaries like Fruchtenbaum, Rashi was hardly the first to say Isaiah 53 was referring to the Jewish people - there's documentation of that view from nearly 1,000 years before Rashi. For anyone who knows Hebrew and Jewish sources, and has read Fruchtenbaum's writings on Isaiah 53 carefully (especially how he takes issue with Jewish interpretations), his positions are laughable. Either he is no scholar at all, based on the way he twists and misinterprets the Hebrew (and esp. the context), or he knows what he's doing and is deliberately leading people astray with things he knows aren't true. Either way, it's not a pretty picture, and I would suggest you look elsewhere for guidance if you really are trying to get at the truth.
Moshe, May 24, 2011 4:27 PM
Keki - just some counterpoints
Yes, in the literal sense, it is non-Jewish. The idea that Rashi was the first is ludcirous; fors tarters, the Zohar, in his 2nd book, says it's referring to Israel. A careful study would also show that the Targum on Isaiah 53 is plainly about Israel. as well as Midrash Rabba in Deuteronomy. Keki, I've never seen that statement by Maimonides - where did you - or Fruchtenbaum - see it?
Penina, May 25, 2011 12:48 PM
Rashi not the first
Rashi was not the first to propose that Isaiah 53 was about Israel. Origen, a 2nd century Christen theologian stated that by his time that the Jews believed that this referred to Israel. Your assertion that the traditional Jewish belief was that it was about the messiah until 1000 is just not true. Arnold Fruchtenbaum is off by AT LEAST 800 years.
(13) Anonymous, May 23, 2011 11:52 PM
Nice to See Answers to Missionaries, but.....
This is a good article and the verse by verse commentary and analysis is very imformative, also many good points and questions were raised about certain Xtian claims. Ok, my critisism(s): the author seems to deny or be ignorant (willful or otherwise I do not know) of a Moshiach b. Yosef; There are dozens, if not hundreds, of commentators and teachers in the annals of Yisroel who have applied it Moshiach b. Yosef. For instance, the Sages in Sanhedrin 98b crafted a term for Moshiach (The Leperous One) based Isaiah 53:4; also Rashi in his commentary on Talmud (NOT his Tanach commentary though) also applies it to Moshiach b. Yosef. Hence the arguement can go both ways (AND based upon the number of articles I've read on this topic, people usually understand the passage on how it suits them!!! - with all due respect to the auther of this work). Another hole in this article is that it mentions that in J-'s day no-one understood Isaiah 53 to refer to Moshiach; but neither did anybody see it as refering to Yisroel until this Origen (mentioned above) who was the first!!!?! I also found verse 8 to be troubling - where in the world has Yisroel EVER been caught off from the land of the living??? Our survival is, in my opinion, one of the wonders of the World. Isaiah 53 could refer to both a Moshiach (NOT a gentile Christ) and Yisroel, plus there are hundreds of ways to deal with and answer to these missionaries (I'd just like to see them come around my door again), this article is a poor arguement against these people; in fact these missionaries and "messianics" will probably use it for more fuel. So in my opinion, good analysis of a Tanach text, but you are fighting the battle in the wrong field.
Anonymous, May 24, 2011 12:31 PM
Anon, your references...
Anonymous, while I'm not in the habit of defending authors, there are several metaphorical uses for it in regard to moshiach ben Yosef, but, really, few. Your citation of Sanhedrin 98b is play on word - you need to study Chagiga, Yerushalmi edition - 2nd chapter, right at the beginning - to learn who the leper scholar is. A normal person. Without a proper context given to those Rabbinic sources, it would sure seem that they can go either way; however, with proper context, their meaning is clear and certain. Now, about that Rashi...
Anonymous, May 25, 2011 2:21 PM
apologies for unclairity
The reason of my quoting San 98b is to point out that it can refer to a human (NOT a man-god, by the way), and not mearly to Yisraol; I could have quoted other sources, but chose this as it is more readily available. Thanks for the link to Chagiga Yerushalmi, will check it out.
(12) Isahiah62, May 23, 2011 7:21 PM
wonderful
Thank you for clarifying what I have been telling my Christian critics of Judaism- and the Jews for Jesus types, people who try to keep their faith in Jesus as Lord and yet try to copy Jews in ritual , and who profoundsly misunderstrand that acceptanceof Jesus as Messiah makes ona Chrsitian not and never a JEW. This text is a particular favorite of mine (see my nickname) As I donot read Hebrew I value your dissertion and again thank you for the indepth analysis of Isaiah.
(11) Anonymous, May 23, 2011 1:57 PM
the christian bible is from greek
A popular old testament bible quote says" the young maiden is with child they shall call him Emmanuel". It never said "'virgin" and modern scholars admit that. All old testament quotes in the new testament are from the Greek version of the Tanakh and there is a more accurate christian bible called Jerusalem bible it is catholic and written in Israel in the 1960's.
(10) Ann Thomas, May 23, 2011 11:44 AM
Indeed we agree the Messiah will come and then we will all know the truth.
(9) Dave, May 23, 2011 8:55 AM
what now?
58 years of christian background have never been more shaken than by this one article. I've studied hard to answer the critics and skeptics. I've been to two bible colleges, studied thousands of hours in great depth. I dare say I have studied enough to have a doctor's degree in theology by now. But now... I'm going to get this ArtScroll English Tanach and for all intents and purposes, Start All Over. (sarcastically Thanks alot Marshall Roth .. I say that with a smile) I do not attend any christian church. But I do pray, ALOT. I've tried several christian churches after leaving the catholic church ( i excommunitcated myself from that religion of idols and heresies) However, I know that all my studing, misguided as it may have been, has filled me with a love for G-d and Israel. I'm a gentile living in the United States. I know that until Israel has peace none of us will.
es58, June 3, 2011 4:56 PM
wishing you success - *don't* give up the prayer!
Dave, My best suggestion would be linking up with one of the "bnei noach" groups for support. Particularly one under the guidance of an orthodox rabbi. there's a book: "the path of the righteous gentile" by chlorfene (sp) wishing you success!
(8) yerus, May 23, 2011 7:40 AM
Enlightening
Are there any similar Jewish articles (misenterpreted bible texts)? Thanks you.
(7) Donald Mattison, May 22, 2011 8:03 PM
Superb analysis and commentary: enlightening.
This article guided me to my "Day of Rest" study of Isaiah chapters 41 through 49. I was energized even on my day of rest. I give thanks to G_d for this guidance and Aish for being willing to share this sacred and life giving textual analyses. Peace.
(6) Anonymous, May 22, 2011 7:29 PM
Love this! Thanks!
(5) Jeremiah Michael, May 22, 2011 5:49 PM
Can't it be both?
While I fully agree that Isaiah 53 can't be referring soley to the Messiah and that christians have for the most part exploited this chapter out of context, I can't see why it can't be bother. The Sages (esp Zohar) repeatedly link passages of Isaiah 53 to Messiah, and the Messiah is always linked to the suffering and exile of Israel. I feel like in a lot of ways because of Christianity's using of this passage we have moved away from the more ancient and Talmudic understanding of this passage. So while in the immediate context I do feel this passage is about Israel I have no issue also applying it to the Messiah.
Moshe, May 24, 2011 12:19 PM
Jeremiah, no.
Jeremiah, simply put, no. It's important to study the Rabbinic sources in context; one then realizes that those Sages never literally meant the messiah - they use him as a metaphor to teach about why righteous people suffer. Which Zohar are you referring too?
(4) Vivian, May 22, 2011 3:20 PM
thank you
How many Jews will be saved from this false belief system because of this article--many years ago I was approached with this info and,though I had absolutely no Torah education,I was able to understand that this was completely false,with the help of Hashem,after many years of searching,I did teshuvah and B'H' am raising a beautiful Torah family.
(3) Anonymous, May 22, 2011 2:34 PM
The other nations are stunned that such an insignificant and small group turns out to have been so important to the divine plan. The renewal of Israel, Israel brought back to life.
(2) FRANCES M DUFF, May 22, 2011 2:34 PM
Thanks Be to Hashem (G-) for receiving the TRUTH
A very dear Jewish friend opened my eyes to this truth awhile back ago and I feel so glad that you have put in written word with all the passages from the Torah. I was raised as a Christian but always feeling something was missing or wrong with what I was taught and I have learned so very much from the Torah thanks be to HASHEM and my dear friend. Praise be to Hashem.
(1) Rosen, May 22, 2011 1:17 PM
distortions lead to frenzies and false predictions of "the end of the world"
Yesterday, many fundamentalist Christians (not all Christians) predicted the world will end with the "second coming of Christ." Indeed, with such mistranslations and even fabrications made by such fundamentalists that take out of context the original Hebrew verses, then there is going to be frenzy stirred of misinformation and even malinformation such as with the prediction that the world will end. Even the Christian bible mentions that only G-d knows when the world will end, not by man and heresay. Given how much these fundamentalist Christians have been wrong every time about "the end of the world", you'd think Christianity would've lost almost all credibility and become obsolete. Even so, I would hope that their notion of the "end of the world" as they claim to predict it is not the only thing and the end all, be all of Christianity. Thus, I doubt G-d would EVER play favorites favoring one religion over the other, given that He loves all his children, both Jew and non-Jew alike. Ideally, Jews would abide to the Torah and non-Jews would abide to the 7 Noachide laws. And, the world shouldn't be about all or nothing - usually everything is a shade of grey and we ought to take many things with a grain of salt as well as try to follow the original Hebrew context of Isaiah in the Torah.