Isaiah 53 - Fourth Servant Song

Fourth Servant Song

The servant songs were first identified by Bernhard Duhm in his 1892 commentary on Isaiah. The songs are four poems taken from the Book of Isaiah written about a certain "servant of YHWH." God calls the servant to lead the nations, but the servant is horribly repressed. In the end, he is rewarded.

The fourth of the "servant songs" begins at Isaiah 52:13, continuing through 53:12 where it continues the discussion of the suffering servant. There is also a rather clear identification for the "servant" within this song. In the context of its surrounding verses, Isaiah 52 and Isaiah 54, one can deduce that the song refers to the Nation of Israel, rather not to an individual.

It is argued that the "servant" represents the nation of Israel, and they beared excessive iniquities, pogroms, blood libels, anti-judaism, anti-semitism and continue to suffer without cause (Isaiah 52:4) on behalf of others (Isaiah 53:7,11-12). Early on, the servant of the Lord is promised to prosper and "be very high". The following evaluation of the Servant by the "many nations, kings", "we" Isaiah 52:15 is quite negative, though, and bridges over to their self-accusation and repentance after verse 4 ("our"). Then, the Servant is vindicated by God, "because he bared his soul unto death". On the other hand, it is argued that the "servant" in this song might be an individual. And because of the references to sufferings, many Christians believe this song, taken out of the set of the four servant songs, and this passages taken out of its context, and the fourth servant song, Isaiah 53, not dealing with a Jewish-messianic prophecy at all, to be among the Christian-messianic prophecies of Jesus. The anti-missionary rabbi Tovia Singer proves, by sufficient textual analysis, that the "suffering servant" of Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12 is not referencing an individual Christ Jesus.

“For he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the transgression of my people, a plague befell them.…” (53:8 Judaica Press Complete Tanach)

“For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.…” (53:8 King James Version)

The word servant is used 23 times in the book. 19 in chapters 41 to 53. Israel/Jacob is called the servant at least 11 times: the first 2 in chapter 41. Servant is used 4 times in the previous 40 chapters referring to Isaiah, Eliakim, servants in general, and David. Many of these verses such as 43:10 You are My witnesses, said the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, 44:21 You are My servant Israel, 49:3 You are My servant Israel, and others, clearly show the nation referred to by the singular "servant". The word messiah ("anointed one") is found twice, referring to Cyrus Isaiah 45:1, and in chapter Isaiah 61. The word "servants" is used 9 times in chapters 54 to 66. Prior to ch 54 it is last used in ch 37. All 9 references in ch. 54 to 66 are to Israel.