Isaiah 53 12

Isaiah 53:12 kjv

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12 nkjv

Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12 niv

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12 esv

Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12 nlt

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Isaiah 53 verses

Isaiah 53 12 meaning

Isaiah 53:12 concludes the Suffering Servant passage by revealing the Father's predetermined reward for the Servant's willing sacrifice. It portrays God exalting the Servant to a position of supreme honor and victory, a direct consequence of His profound suffering and atonement. The Servant is depicted as conquering sin and death through His vicarious death, bearing the guilt of humanity, and continuing to intercede for sinners. This verse articulates both the justice of God in rewarding the Servant's obedience and the enduring efficacy of His work for mankind's salvation.

Isaiah 53 12 Context

Isaiah 53 is the fourth and most explicit of the Servant Songs within the Book of Isaiah, a profound prophecy detailing the redemptive work of a Suffering Servant. The preceding verses (Is 52:13-53:11) meticulously describe the Servant's abasement, disfigurement, rejection, vicarious suffering, silent endurance, unjust execution, burial, and subsequent resurrection and triumph. Chapter 53 in particular focuses on the "chastisement for our peace" falling upon Him and "by His stripes we are healed." The Servant's identity is unique, suffering for the transgressions of others. This suffering defies contemporary Jewish expectations of a conquering Messiah who would immediately liberate Israel politically. Instead, Isaiah presents a polemic against the understanding that blessing comes only through national strength or strict adherence to the Law, highlighting a Messiah who redeems through profound humility and sacrificial atonement. Isaiah 53:12 then marks the transition from the depths of His suffering to the heights of His exaltation and the complete fulfillment of His redemptive mission.

Isaiah 53 12 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן, lakhen): Connects the subsequent rewards directly to the preceding account of suffering, obedience, and sacrifice (Is 53:1-11). It signifies a logical consequence, highlighting divine justice and recompense.
• I will divide him a portion (אֲחַלֵּק־לֹוֹ חֵלֶק, ahallek-lo cheleq): "I will divide for him a portion." The subject "I" is God Himself, the ultimate sovereign. Cheleq refers to an allotment, inheritance, or share, often of land or booty. This speaks to a divinely ordained reward, an unparalleled status and authority.
• with the great (אֶת־רַבִּים, et-rabbim): Rabbim can mean "many" or "great/numerous." In context, it suggests sharing in the honor and power associated with those of high standing or vast influence, such as powerful rulers or conquerors. This implies a super-eminent status for the Servant, even above other great figures.
• and he shall divide the spoil (וְאֶת־עֲצוּמִים יְחַלֵּק שָׁלָל, we'et-atzumim yeḥallek shalal): "And with the strong ones he shall divide spoil." Shalal is spoils of war, loot from a conquered enemy. This vivid imagery points to the Servant's triumph over formidable adversaries: sin, death, and the powers of evil. He is the ultimate victor, not merely sharing in the spoils, but actively dividing them as a triumphant commander.
• with the strong (עֲצוּמִים, atzumim): Means "mighty" or "strong ones," often referring to formidable warriors or powers. Here, the Servant is identified as one of the mighty, if not the mightiest, among those who have conquered. This is a dramatic reversal from His earlier depiction as despised and weak.
• because (תַּחַת, tachat): "Because, instead of, on account of." This preposition clarifies the reason for the reward—it is given in exchange for, or as a consequence of, the Servant's specific actions.
• he has poured out his soul (הֶעֱרָה נַפְשׁוֹ, he'erah napsho): "He emptied/made bare his soul/life." A powerful metaphor for absolute self-sacrifice, giving everything. Naphsho (his soul/life) signifies His very being. This goes beyond mere death; it's a complete offering of His inner person and will.
• unto death (לַמָּוֶת, lamawet): Specifies the extent of the pouring out – to the point of giving up His life. This emphasizes His literal physical death.
• and he was numbered with the transgressors (וְאֶת־פֹּשְׁעִים נִמְנָה, we'et-poshim nimnah): Posh'im refers to rebels, criminals, or those who consciously break divine law. "Numbered with" (lit. "counted among") highlights His unjust association with criminals, experiencing their fate even though innocent, crucial for vicarious atonement.
• yet he bare the sin of many (וְהוּא חֵטְא־רַבִּים נָשָׂא, wehu chet-rabbim nasa): "And He bore the sin of many." Nasa (to lift, carry, bear) signifies substitutionary atonement—He personally carried the guilt and punishment of sins that were not His own. Rabbim (many) implies a multitude, demonstrating the broad scope of His redemptive work.
• and made intercession (וְלַפֹּשְׁעִים יַפְגִּיעַ, welapposh'im yafgi'a): "And for the transgressors He makes intercession." Yafgi'a means to "intervene," "intercede," or "plead on behalf of." This points to a continuing priestly ministry, not only forgiving sin at the cross but also perpetually mediating for those who transgress, demonstrating the lasting efficacy of His sacrifice.

Words-group analysis:

• "Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong": This two-part parallelism speaks of the Servant's glorious vindication and unparalleled authority after His suffering. The Father rewards Him, and He, as victor, claims and distributes the spoils of His triumph. It conveys universal dominion and honor beyond any earthly king or conqueror.
• "because he has poured out his soul unto death": This phrase details the ultimate act of selfless surrender, the profound suffering and complete sacrifice of His very life as the causative agent for His subsequent exaltation. It emphasizes the voluntary and complete nature of His atonement.
• "and he was numbered with the transgressors": Highlights the ignominy and shame of His crucifixion alongside common criminals, a necessary element for Him to take the place of humanity in its condemned state, emphasizing identification with the sinful.
• "yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors": These two clauses underscore the active, salvific work of the Servant. Bearing sin is the past redemptive act on the cross; making intercession points to His ongoing advocacy for those very transgressors for whom He died. This shows a complete and lasting atonement that encompasses both the payment for sin and its continual application.

Isaiah 53 12 Bonus section

The phrase "poured out his soul unto death" (הֶעֱרָה נַפְשׁוֹ לַמָּוֶת, he'erah napsho lamawet) is deeply evocative. The verb 'arah implies making something bare or empty. It can be translated as "to empty, pour out, strip off." In this context, it speaks of a profound self-emptying, a literal divestment of life itself, extending beyond physical death to an almost spiritual relinquishment. This concept is mirrored in the New Testament with Christ's kenosis (self-emptying) described in Phil 2:7, where He "made himself nothing," or "emptied himself," taking the form of a servant. This demonstrates the voluntary and complete nature of His surrender to the Father's will for redemption. It's not just a giving of life, but a full, intentional surrender of self, aligning with the sacrificial motif throughout Scripture. The Servant willingly entered the realm of death, identifying with humanity's lostness, but His victory means death could not hold Him.

Isaiah 53 12 Commentary

Isaiah 53:12 encapsulates the culmination of the Suffering Servant's mission and God's response. It portrays a divine balance: the extreme suffering detailed previously is directly answered by unparalleled glory and dominion. The Servant's exaltation is not a mere consolation, but a righteous reward from God Himself, placing Him in a position of supreme honor, "with the great." His victory is depicted as a conquering hero dividing "the spoil with the strong," signifying His triumph over sin, death, and the devil. This is a dramatic reversal from the ignominy of being "numbered with the transgressors," where His identification with sinners was a necessary step for Him to fully assume humanity's condemnation.

The basis for this reward is profoundly significant: "because he has poured out his soul unto death." This highlights the voluntary, total, and ultimate sacrifice of His life, demonstrating complete obedience and love. This pouring out led to Him "baring the sin of many," fulfilling the substitutionary atonement by carrying the full weight and guilt of human transgression. Beyond the completed work on the cross, the verse also reveals His enduring ministry: "and made intercession for the transgressors." This points to His continuing role as High Priest and Advocate, continually mediating for those He saved, securing their forgiveness and standing before God. The verse therefore establishes Jesus Christ as the suffering redeemer, victorious King, and perpetual advocate for humanity, linking His past suffering directly to His present glory and future universal rule.

Examples of practical usage:

• Personal Atonement: Reflect on how Jesus "poured out His soul unto death" to personally bear your sins, allowing you to have peace with God.
• Intercession: Be comforted by the fact that Jesus, even now, "makes intercession" for you before the Father, ensuring the continuous application of His grace.
• Victory over Sin: Draw strength from His triumph over sin and death, knowing that through Him, you too can experience victory over the power of sin in your life.