Isaiah 53:4
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Original Language Analysis
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 12
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
נָשָׂ֔א
he hath borne
H5375
נָשָׂ֔א
he hath borne
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 12
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
סְבָלָ֑ם
and carried
H5445
סְבָלָ֑ם
and carried
Strong's:
H5445
Word #:
6 of 12
to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid
חֲשַׁבְנֻ֔הוּ
yet we did esteem
H2803
חֲשַׁבְנֻ֔הוּ
yet we did esteem
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
נָג֛וּעַ
him stricken
H5060
נָג֛וּעַ
him stricken
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
מֻכֵּ֥ה
smitten
H5221
מֻכֵּ֥ה
smitten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 12
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.Matthew 8:17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:1 John 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.1 Peter 3:18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:Hebrews 9:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.John 19:7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.Psalms 69:26For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
Historical Context
Jewish observers of the crucifixion saw a man under God's curse (Deuteronomy 21:23), not recognizing He bore their curse (Galatians 3:13). Roman executioners thought they were punishing a criminal. Only later did disciples understand He bore their sins and sorrows. The early church grasped this substitutionary atonement as the gospel's heart: Christ suffered what we deserved so we might receive what He deserved. This theological truth transformed lives and founded the church.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that Jesus bore your specific griefs and sorrows affect your view of His sacrifice?
- In what ways do people today still misinterpret Jesus's suffering, missing its substitutionary nature?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse reveals the substitutionary nature of Christ's suffering—He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. The Hebrew 'nasah' (bore) means to lift, carry, take away—depicting Jesus taking upon Himself what we deserved. 'Griefs' (choli) refers to sicknesses, pains, and 'sorrows' (makob) to emotional and physical anguish. Yet observers misinterpreted His suffering: 'we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted'—thinking God was punishing Him for His own sins. This tragic irony: they witnessed substitutionary atonement but interpreted it as divine judgment for personal sin. Matthew 8:17 applies this to Jesus's healing ministry, while 1 Peter 2:24 emphasizes His sin-bearing on the cross.