Yesaya 53:12

53:12 So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, ¹ 

he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, ² 

because he willingly submitted ³  to death

and was numbered with the rebels,

when he lifted up the sin of many

and intervened ⁴  on behalf of the rebels.”

Yesaya 63:1

The Victorious Divine Warrior

63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom, ⁵ 

dressed in bright red, coming from Bozrah? ⁶ 

Who ⁷  is this one wearing royal attire, ⁸ 

who marches confidently ⁹  because of his great strength?

“It is I, the one who announces vindication,

and who is able to deliver!” ¹⁰ 

[53:12]  ¹ tn Scholars have debated the precise meaning of the term רַבִּים (rabbim) that occurs five times in this passage (Isa 52:14, 15; 53:11, 12 [2x]). Its two broad categories of translation are “much”/“many” and “great” (HALOT 1171-72 s.v. I רַב). Unlike other Hebrew terms for might or strength, this term is linked with numbers or abundance. In all sixteen uses outside of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (articular and plural) it signifies an inclusive meaning: “the majority” or “the multitude” (J. Jeremias, TDNT 6:536-37). This term occurs in parallelism with עֲצוּמִים (’atsumim), which normally signifies “numerous” or “large” or “powerful” (through large numbers). Like רַבִּים (rabbim), it refers to greatness in numbers (cf. Deut 4:38; 7:1; 9:1; 11:34). It emphasizes the multitudes with whom the Servant will share the spoil of his victory. As J. Olley wrote: “Yahweh has won the victory and vindicates his Servant, giving to him many subservient people, together with their spoils. These numerous peoples in turn receive blessing, sharing in the “peace” resulting from Yahweh’s victory and the Servant’s suffering” (John W. Olley, “‘The Many’: How Is Isa 53,12a to Be Understood,” Bib 68 [1987]: 330-56).

[53:12]  ² sn The servant is compared here to a warrior who will be richly rewarded for his effort and success in battle.

[53:12]  ³ tn Heb “because he laid bare his life”; traditionally, ASV “because he (+ hath KJV) poured out his soul (life NIV) unto death.”

[53:12]  ⁴ tn The Hiphil of פָּגַע (paga’) can mean “cause to attack” (v. 6), “urge, plead verbally” (Jer 15:11; 36:25), or “intervene militarily” (Isa 59:16). Perhaps the third nuance fits best here, for military imagery is employed in the first two lines of the verse.

[63:1]  ⁵ sn Edom is here an archetype for the Lord’s enemies. See 34:5.

[63:1]  ⁶ tn Heb “[in] bright red garments, from Bozrah.”

[63:1]  ⁷ tn The interrogative particle is understood by ellipsis; note the first line of the verse.

[63:1]  ⁸ tn Heb “honored in his clothing”; KJV, ASV “glorious in his apparel.”

[63:1]  ⁹ tc The Hebrew text has צָעָה (tsa’ah), which means “stoop, bend” (51:14). The translation assumes an emendation to צָעַד (tsa’ad, “march”; see BDB 858 s.v. צָעָה).

[63:1]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “I, [the one] speaking in vindication [or “righteousness”], great to deliver.”