Isaiah 53 11

Isaiah 53:11 kjv

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:11 nkjv

He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:11 niv

After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:11 esv

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:11 nlt

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.

Isaiah 53 verses

Isaiah 53 11 meaning

Isaiah 53:11 declares that the suffering Servant, having endured intense agony, will ultimately see the fruitful outcome of his toil and be deeply satisfied. Through his perfect righteousness and sacrificial knowledge, he will declare many righteous, for he himself has willingly borne the full weight of their transgressions, providing their atonement.

Isaiah 53 11 Context

Isaiah 53 is the fourth of the "Servant Songs" (Isa 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13–53:12), which describe a mysterious figure chosen by God to accomplish His redemptive purposes. This specific chapter depicts the Servant as one who suffers silently and sacrificially for the sins of others. Verses 1-3 highlight his humble appearance and rejection. Verses 4-6 explicitly state his suffering is for our iniquities. Verses 7-9 detail his submission to death and burial. Verse 10 speaks of God's will for his suffering as a guilt offering, leading to seeing "offspring." Verse 11, the focus here, shifts to the triumphant outcome, portraying the Servant's deep satisfaction as he justifies "many" because he bore their sin. Historically, for the original audience in Judah, the identity of this Servant was debated—Israel itself, a prophetic figure, or the Messiah. However, the depth of suffering and personal bearing of sin transcended Israel's role, pointing ultimately to a specific individual. It indirectly challenged notions of national righteousness achieved solely through law-keeping and sacrifice of animals, pointing to a single perfect, vicarious sacrifice.

Isaiah 53 11 Word analysis

• He shall see: (Hebrew: yireh - יראה) From the root ra'ah (ראה), meaning to see, perceive, understand, experience. This is not mere physical sight but a profound, personal experience and full comprehension of the results. It indicates a vivid realization of the purpose fulfilled and the joy of witnessing its impact.
• of the travail: (Hebrew: mi'amal - מעמל) Refers to the intense, painful labor, toil, distress, and anguish of the soul. It signifies the excruciating suffering and mental agony endured. It goes beyond physical pain to the deep, inner turmoil and burden.
• of his soul: (Hebrew: napshō - נפשו) Nefesh (נפש) in Hebrew encompasses the whole being—life, inner person, self, emotions, and mind, not just the spirit in isolation. Thus, the "travail of his soul" indicates suffering in the deepest sense of his entire person.
• and shall be satisfied: (Hebrew: v'yisba - וישבע) From the root sava (שבע), meaning to be full, have enough, be completely content or satiated. It conveys a deep, profound, and complete satisfaction, suggesting the suffering was worthwhile due to its outcome.
• by his knowledge: (Hebrew: b'da'atō - בדעתו) This is a crucial phrase, highly debated. Da'at (דעת) means knowledge, understanding, discernment, insight, intimate relationship.
  • Interpretation 1 (Servant's knowledge): The Servant himself knows/understands the righteous outcome, and through this understanding, he justifies others. This links to his perfect, righteous discernment and fidelity to God's plan.
  • Interpretation 2 (Knowledge of the Servant): Those who come to know or understand the Servant (his identity, his mission, his sacrifice) are thereby justified. The knowledge of Christ, by faith, brings salvation. This is often the stronger New Testament emphasis. The New Testament leans towards knowledge of him being the basis for justification.
• my righteous servant: (Hebrew: tsaddīq 'abdī - צדיק עבדי)
  • My righteous: (Tsaddīq) – Implies absolute moral perfection, without sin or fault, thus uniquely qualified to be a spotless sacrifice. This righteousness is not inherent to humanity but divinely bestowed or demonstrated.
  • servant: ('abdī) – Reinforces his humble, obedient role in executing God’s will, often with Messianic implications (e.g., in other Servant Songs).
• shall justify many: (Hebrew: yatshdīqū lārabbīm - יצדיק לרבים)
  • shall justify: (yatstsdîq) – A legal or forensic term meaning to declare righteous, acquit, pronounce guiltless. It’s not making one righteous inwardly at this point (though that follows), but declaring a right standing before God.
  • many: (lārabbīm) – Often in contrast to the single Servant. This is a large, extensive group, encompassing all who receive this justification. It points to a multitude, echoing the covenant promises of abundant blessing. It does not limit the scope to a select few but broadens it extensively.
• for he shall bear their iniquities: (Hebrew: va'anah hu 'avonotam - ועונֹתם הוא ישא)
  • bear: (yis'sa) – Implies carrying a heavy burden, suffering the consequences of, taking away, lifting. It speaks of vicarious atonement, where the Servant personally carries the guilt and punishment of others' sins.
  • their iniquities: ('avonotam) – Refers to sins, guilt, moral perversion, perversity. This highlights the substitutionary nature of his work—he bore their sins instead of their sin-debt being accounted to them.

Words-group by words-group analysis data:

• He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied: This phrase underscores the Servant's deep personal experience of suffering, not in vain, but culminating in profound, complete fulfillment because of the redemptive outcome. His future glory and joy are tied directly to the positive results of his past agony.
• by his knowledge my righteous servant shall justify many: This highlights the mechanism of justification. Whether it is the Servant's righteous discernment, his perfect knowledge of God's will, or the salvific knowledge of him (by faith), it is through him, the righteous one, that many are brought into a right relationship with God. His unique standing and perfect obedience are foundational.
• for he shall bear their iniquities: This establishes the irrefutable theological basis for the Servant's ability to justify. It is his substitutionary atonement—personally carrying and enduring the penalty for others' sins—that enables God to declare the guilty innocent without compromising His own justice. This "bearing" points to a profound act of divine love and sacrifice.

Isaiah 53 11 Bonus section

The concept of the Servant's "satisfaction" is a theological cornerstone, emphasizing that Jesus, in his humanity, found joy in completing his Father's will and achieving our salvation (Heb 12:2). This is not a humanistic concept of 'karma' but a divine satisfaction rooted in God's eternal plan. The phrase "by his knowledge" (b'da'ato) has been extensively discussed in Jewish interpretation; earlier views might suggest it refers to the Servant's wisdom or knowledge of God's law, enabling him to lead others to righteousness. However, within a Christian framework, it directly points to the salvific understanding and faith in Christ. The Septuagint (ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) translates "by his knowledge" as "by his counsel" or "by his understanding," potentially highlighting the divine wisdom embodied in the Servant's work. The "many" is not meant to be exclusive; rather, it implies all who are reconciled through this Servant, encompassing all types of people who respond in faith.

Isaiah 53 11 Commentary

Isaiah 53:11 profoundly distills the essence of the Suffering Servant's mission and its glorious outcome. After depicting immense suffering and a willing sacrifice, this verse announces the Servant's vindication and satisfaction. The "travail of his soul" emphasizes the deepest agony endured—physical, emotional, and spiritual—but it is not depicted as an end in itself. Instead, the Servant "shall see" the fruit of this agony, an active, fulfilling vision of salvation achieved, bringing him profound satisfaction. This satisfaction is realized "by his knowledge," a complex phrase interpreted as either the Servant's righteous discernment of God's plan or, more commonly, the salvific knowledge of him by those he redeems. Through this, God's "righteous servant"—emphasizing his sinless perfection and obedient role—will "justify many." This declaration of righteousness, an act of God, is made possible because the Servant vicariously bore "their iniquities," personally enduring the penalty of sin as a substitutionary atonement. The verse therefore encapsulates Christ's path: profound suffering, righteous fulfillment of God's will, triumphant satisfaction in the redemption of a multitude, all grounded in his personal sin-bearing sacrifice.