Isaiah 53:7

Authorized King James Version

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Word-by-Word Analysis

נִגַּ֨שׂ

H5065

He was oppressed

to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize

וְה֣וּא

H1931

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

נַעֲנֶה֮

H6031

and he was afflicted

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

וְלֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִפְתַּ֖ח

H6605

so he openeth

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

פִּֽיו׃

H6310

not his mouth

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

כַּשֶּׂה֙

H7716

as a lamb

a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat

לַטֶּ֣בַח

H2874

to the slaughter

properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)

יוּבָ֔ל

H2986

he is brought

properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)

#10

וּכְרָחֵ֕ל

H7353

and as a sheep

a ewe [the females being the predominant element of a flock] (as a good traveller)

#11

לִפְנֵ֥י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#12

גֹזְזֶ֖יהָ

H1494

her shearers

to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy

#13

נֶאֱלָ֑מָה

H481

is dumb

to tie fast; hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied

#14

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#15

יִפְתַּ֖ח

H6605

so he openeth

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

#16

פִּֽיו׃

H6310

not his mouth

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

Cross References

Related verses that illuminate this passage (hover to preview):

¹ Acts 8:32 Acts 8:32
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
— As a sheep to the slaughter
² John 1:29 John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
— Behold the Lamb of God

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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