Isaiah Chapter 53 · Verse 3
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Original Language Analysis
אִ֥ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אִ֥ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וִיד֣וּעַ
and acquainted
H3045
וִיד֣וּעַ
and acquainted
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וּכְמַסְתֵּ֤ר
and we hid as it were
H4564
וּכְמַסְתֵּ֤ר
and we hid as it were
Strong's:
H4564
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, a hider, i.e., (abstractly) a hiding, i.e., aversion
פָּנִים֙
our faces
H6440
פָּנִים֙
our faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Matthew 26:67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.Isaiah 49:7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.Isaiah 53:4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.Mark 14:34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.Hebrews 5:7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Luke 9:22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.Hebrews 4:15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Mark 15:19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
Historical Context
Written 700 years before Christ, Isaiah's detailed description of Messiah's suffering confounded Jewish expectations of a conquering king. Jesus's life perfectly fulfilled this prophecy—rejected by religious leaders, abandoned by friends, despised by crowds who chose Barabbas. The cross epitomized this rejection: executed as a criminal, mocked by observers. Yet Peter explains this rejection was predicted (Acts 3:18) and necessary for salvation. The early church, facing similar rejection, found comfort knowing their Messiah experienced it first.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's experience of rejection and sorrow comfort you when you face similar experiences?
- In what ways do people today still 'hide their faces' from Christ and 'esteem him not,' and how should we respond?
Analysis & Commentary
This prophetic description of the suffering Servant (fulfilled in Christ) reveals His rejection and sorrows. 'Despised' (bazah) means treated with contempt, regarded as worthless. 'Rejected' (chadal) conveys being forsaken, abandoned by others. 'A man of sorrows' shows His intimate acquaintance with grief—not occasional sadness but one whose life was characterized by suffering. 'We hid as it were our faces from him'—people turned away in disgust or indifference. 'We esteemed him not' means we considered Him insignificant, without value. This describes humanity's response to Jesus: religious leaders rejected Him, crowds turned away, disciples fled, and even today many dismiss Him.