Isaiah 52 15

Isaiah 52:15 kjv

So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Isaiah 52:15 nkjv

So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.

Isaiah 52:15 niv

so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 52:15 esv

so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

Isaiah 52:15 nlt

And he will startle many nations.
Kings will stand speechless in his presence.
For they will see what they had not been told;
they will understand what they had not heard about.

Isaiah 52 verses

Isaiah 52 15 meaning

Isaiah 52:15 profoundly shifts the reader's perspective from the Servant's disfigured state to His ultimate triumph and global impact. It declares that this Servant will purify or startle many nations, leading their kings to speechless astonishment. The core reason for this reaction is the revelation of divine truths about the Servant—previously untold and unheard—which they will now personally witness and deeply comprehend. This verse highlights the universal, transformative power of the Servant's work, extending beyond Israel to encompass all peoples.

Isaiah 52 15 Context

Isaiah 52:15 is the final verse of the introductory strophe to the fourth and longest of the Servant Songs (Isa 52:13–53:12). It immediately follows a stark contrast presented in verse 14, where the Servant is depicted as so disfigured as to be scarcely recognizable as human, suffering immense abuse. Verse 15 directly follows this depiction, launching into a description of the Servant's eventual exaltation and global influence. Historically, the prophecy emerges from a period of national distress (the Babylonian exile), promising a future deliverance and a redemptive figure. It prepares the reader for the detailed account of the Servant's suffering and its atoning efficacy presented in the subsequent chapter. The original audience would have pondered who this mysterious Servant could be and how His suffering could lead to such universal impact.

Isaiah 52 15 Word analysis

• So (כֵּן - ken): This particle marks a transition or conclusion. Here, it signifies that in the same way as He was disfigured, so He will also have this widespread, exalted impact. It connects the Servant's low state to His future high honor.
• he will sprinkle (יַזֶּה - yazzeh): From the root nazah (נָזָה), meaning "to sprinkle." In Hebrew ritual contexts (e.g., Numbers 19), sprinkling often relates to purification from defilement, the cleansing of sin, or the consecration of priests/people (Exod 24:8, Lev 14:7). It points to a profound act of spiritual cleansing or atonement initiated by the Servant for the nations. Some scholarly interpretations also connect this root to a sense of "startle" or "astonish," which complements the kings' reaction.
• many nations (גּוֹיִם רַבִּים - goyim rabbim): Signifies a global scope. The Servant's work extends far beyond Israel, embracing all humanity. This broad inclusion foreshadows the New Covenant's outreach to the Gentiles.
• and kings (וּמְלָכִים - u'melakhim): Represents figures of supreme worldly power and authority. Their reaction is particularly significant because they are often considered unyielding, yet here they are profoundly moved.
• will shut their mouths (יִקְפְּצוּ פִּיהֶם - yiqpĕtsu phihem): This idiom conveys a powerful reaction of awe, astonishment, reverence, or silent submission. It is a response to the overwhelming truth and power of the Servant, rendering even the most powerful speechless (cf. Job 21:5).
• because of him (מִפָּנָיו - mippanav): Directly attributes the nations' and kings' reactions to the Servant. He is the sole object and cause of their changed understanding and silence.
• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction introduces the reason for the astonishment: the unveiling of previously hidden truths.
• what they were not told (אֲשֶׁר לֹא סֻפַּר לָהֶם - asher lo suppar lahem): Refers to information about the Servant and His redemptive plan that had not been widely disseminated or fully understood, particularly by the Gentiles.
• they will see (רָאוּ - ra'u): Denotes visual comprehension and direct personal experience of truth. It's not just intellectual assent but seeing the reality for themselves.
• and what they had not heard (וַאֲשֶׁר לֹא שָׁמְעוּ - va'asher lo sham'u): Reinforces the idea of novel revelation, adding auditory perception to visual. These truths were previously unavailable or disregarded.
• they will understand (הִתְבּוֹנָנוּ - hitbonanu): From the root bin (בִּין), meaning "to understand," "perceive," "discern." The Hithpael stem indicates a profound, active, and reflective process of gaining deep insight and making sense of the revelation. It signifies true comprehension.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him.": This passage links the Servant's cleansing/startling work directly to the astonishment of worldly rulers and the inclusion of diverse peoples. The universal reach and the overwhelming impact are central.
• "For what they were not told, they will see, and what they had not heard, they will understand.": This explains why the kings shut their mouths. Their silence is a response to the profound, new, and undeniable revelation concerning the Servant's person and work. It's a journey from ignorance to illumination.

Isaiah 52 15 Bonus section

The interpretation of "sprinkle" (יַזֶּה - yazzeh) has seen significant discussion. While the traditional view rooted in ritual purification aligns strongly with the Servant's role in Isaiah 53 (making many righteous), the Septuagint's (LXX) translation as "marvel" (θαυμάσονται) introduces an aspect of "startling" or "astonishment." This ambiguity, however, often proves complementary rather than contradictory. The Servant's act of purification through self-sacrifice is precisely what causes the world to marvel and be astonished. His seemingly paradoxical path of suffering leading to global cleansing and exaltation is inherently astounding to the kings and nations accustomed to worldly power. The new revelation is not just that they are cleansed, but how this cleansing comes through such an unlikely, humble, and suffering Servant.

Isaiah 52 15 Commentary

Isaiah 52:15 acts as a pivotal moment, shifting from the shocking depiction of the Servant's abasement in verse 14 to His unparalleled glorification. The verb "sprinkle" is crucial, signifying a work of ritual purification or a stunning act of impact that cleanses the defilement of "many nations." This is not a merely localized event for Israel, but a global purification for all peoples. The kings of the earth, symbols of worldly power and pride, will be rendered utterly silent, not by military might, but by the profound and unexpected reality of the Servant. Their silence is one of reverential awe and humble acceptance of a truth so immense it strips them of words. The subsequent clause elucidates this reaction: their astonishment stems from witnessing and understanding divine realities about the Servant—His true identity, His redemptive suffering, and the means of His salvation—which were never before revealed or comprehensible to them. This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whose atoning sacrifice cleanses and redeems people from every nation, bringing a profound spiritual revelation that transcends all human wisdom and expectation.