Isaiah 53:2 kjv
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:2 nkjv
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
Isaiah 53:2 niv
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:2 esv
For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:2 nlt
My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
Isaiah 53 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 53:2 | For he grew up before him as a young plant, and as a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. | fulfillment of prophecy |
| Psalm 22:6 | But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. | foreshadowing of rejection |
| Isaiah 52:14 | Just as many were astonished at him— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of man— | description of marred appearance |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | veiled glory |
| Philippians 2:7 | but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, by being born in the likeness of men. | humiliation and servanthood |
| 1 Corinthians 1:23 | but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and a foolishness to Gentiles, | perceived weakness |
| 2 Corinthians 10:1 | Now I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ— I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when away! | contrast of appearance/reality |
| 1 Peter 2:4 | As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him, | rejection by men |
| Mark 15:17 | and they clothed him in purple, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. | mockery and scorn |
| Matthew 27:28 | And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe, | humiliation |
| John 19:5 | Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” | presentation to the crowd |
| Hebrews 4:15 | For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. | human weakness |
| Isaiah 53:7 | He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. | silent suffering |
| Isaiah 53:3 | He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. | rejection and scorn |
| Psalm 34:18 | The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. | empathy with suffering |
| Psalm 38:3 | He carries our iniquities. | bearing sin's consequences |
| Romans 5:19 | For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. | representative suffering |
| 2 Corinthians 8:9 | For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you might become rich through his poverty. | voluntary impoverishment |
| 1 Peter 1:18-19 | knowing that you were ransomed from your futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. | value in Christ's sacrifice |
| Revelation 5:6 | And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. | Lamb imagery |
Isaiah 53 verses
Isaiah 53 2 Meaning
The verse describes the suffering servant as lacking impressive qualities, not possessing physical beauty or an attractive appearance that would draw people to him. His countenance was so marred that he was hardly recognizable as human.
Isaiah 53 2 Context
Isaiah 53 is a pivotal Suffering Servant song in the Old Testament, traditionally interpreted by Christians as a prophecy of Jesus Christ. The preceding verse (53:1) laments the lack of belief in the messenger who reveals God's arm of salvation. This verse (53:2) then begins to describe the servant himself, highlighting his humble, unassuming appearance. The historical context for Isaiah's original audience would have been the exilic or post-exilic period, where the people of Israel were longing for restoration and a powerful deliverer. They might have expected a king with regal splendor. Isaiah, however, paints a picture of a servant whose power and significance are not outwardly visible but found in his suffering and service. The New Testament sees the fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus, whose earthly appearance was not that of a kingly monarch, but one of humble birth, marked by suffering.
Isaiah 53 2 Word Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַל (vayya'al): "and he grew up" or "and he ascended."
- Root: עלה (alah) - to go up, ascend, grow.
- Implies a process of development or growth, not necessarily into prominence or outward glory.
כְּמ֣וֹ (kemo): "like" or "as."
- A comparative particle, introducing a simile.
שֹׁ֧רֶשׁ (shoresh): "a root."
- Suggests something deeply planted, foundational, but not always visually striking or prominent above ground. Can also imply obscure or humble origins.
מִֽ֭נּוֹ (minno): "out of him" or "from it."
- Indicates origin.
צַמָּ֑ח (tsemach): "a sprout" or "a shoot."
- Reinforces the image of humble growth, like a plant emerging from challenging conditions.
וּכְצַמַּ֖ח (ukhetsmach): "and as a sprout."
- Repetition emphasizing the humble and perhaps unassuming origin and development.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ (me'erets): "from the earth" or "from the land."
- Emphasizes his earthly, terrestrial, and perhaps common or unpretentious origin.
צִיָּֽה׃ (tsiyyah): "dry ground" or "thirstiness."
- Describes an arid, difficult environment. This signifies that his growth and development were not in ideal or flourishing circumstances, but in a place of hardship and barrenness.
- Implies resilience and a humble, unglamorous beginning.
אֵֽין־ (eyn): "there is not."
- Negation, stating absence.
ל֣וֹ (lo): "to him" or "for him."
- Possessive pronoun.
תֹּ֖אַר (to'ar): "form" or "appearance" or "countenance."
- Refers to outward shape, configuration, or mien.
וְהָדָ֑ר (ve'hadar): "and comeliness" or "and splendor" or "and majesty."
- Describes inherent beauty, dignity, or magnificence. The absence of this is highlighted.
וְנִרְאֶ֥ה (venir'eh): "and we should see him" or "and we see him."
- The infinitive form suggests purpose or result.
וְלֹֽא־ (velo'): "and there is not."
- Another negation.
מַרְאֶ֥ה (mar'eh): "appearance" or "look."
- Similar to תֹּאַר (to'ar), referring to what is seen.
לְמַֽעֲנֵ֔נוּ (lema'ane'nu): "that we should desire him."
- Suggests an attractive quality that would elicit longing or admiration. The absence of this is stated.
Group Analysis: The phrase "no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him" emphasizes a profound lack of outward attractiveness and grandeur. This highlights the antithesis between the servant's appearance and what would typically attract a populace, setting the stage for his reception. The combination of "root out of dry ground" and lack of desirable form underscores his humble and obscure origins and outward presentation, in contrast to expected royal or divine appearances.
Isaiah 53 2 Bonus Section
The concept of a suffering, outwardly unremarkable Messiah was contrary to the nationalistic hopes of many in ancient Israel, who envisioned a triumphant king. This prophecy therefore functions as a spiritual lens, shifting focus from external grandeur to internal significance and vicarious suffering. The New Testament's presentation of Jesus, often depicted as weary, sorrowful, and even physically unattractive due to his hardships, aligns perfectly with this prophetic description. His affirmation that "my kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36) resonates with the absence of worldly splendor described here.
Isaiah 53 2 Commentary
This verse presents a stark contrast to human expectations of greatness. It indicates that the Suffering Servant's significance and mission were not evident in his physical appearance or outward charisma. Unlike earthly rulers who often rely on a commanding presence, this servant is characterized by a lack of physical allure. This attribute is crucial because it signifies that his recognition and acceptance would not be based on superficial qualities, but on his work and sacrifice. It implies that true spiritual power and divine favor are not necessarily accompanied by worldly splendor. This description prepares the reader for a deeper understanding of his identity and purpose, suggesting that his true worth lies beyond what the eye can see.