Isaiah 53:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֨עַל
For he shall grow up
H5927
וַיַּ֨עַל
For he shall grow up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
כַּיּוֹנֵ֜ק
him as a tender plant
H3126
כַּיּוֹנֵ֜ק
him as a tender plant
Strong's:
H3126
Word #:
2 of 15
a sucker; hence, a twig (of a tree felled and sprouting)
לְפָנָ֗יו
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֗יו
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְנִרְאֵ֥הוּ
and when we shall see
H7200
וְנִרְאֵ֥הוּ
and when we shall see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
12 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Isaiah 52:14As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:Isaiah 11:1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:Jeremiah 23:5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.Mark 6:3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.Mark 9:12And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.Romans 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:John 19:5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!John 18:40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.1 Peter 2:14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.Zechariah 6:12And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Historical Context
This describes Jesus's ordinary appearance and humble origins - carpenter's son from Nazareth, no royal palace, no impressive physical presence. Messiah came without the expected trappings of power.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's ordinariness challenge expectations of what a savior should look like?
- Why might God choose unpretentious means for His greatest work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'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.' The Servant's humble origins: 'tender plant' (yoneq - suckling, sapling), 'root out of dry ground' (unlikely place for growth). No external attractiveness draws attention. The Hebrew 'hadar' (majesty/beauty) is absent.