Devine Scripture

Isaiah 53:10

What does Isaiah 53:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 53:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 53:10 means

This is a profound and startling verse, revealing that despite the apparent injustice, the Servant's suffering was ultimately according to God's sovereign will. It "pleased Jehovah to bruise him" and to put Him to grief, indicating that His agony was part of a divine plan for redemption. The verse then promises the Servant a future, stating that when He makes His life an "offering for sin," He will see descendants, live for a prolonged time, and God's redemptive purposes will prosper through Him. This points forward to His resurrection, spiritual offspring, and the ultimate triumph of His mission.

Isaiah 53:10 in context

Isaiah 53 — The Suffering Servant

Seven hundred years before Calvary, Isaiah describes a servant despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief, who is wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace is upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. He is led as a lamb to the slaughter and yet by his knowledge shall justify many. No other Old Testament passage so clearly anticipates the cross. The New Testament writers quote it again and again as the master-key to the meaning of Christ's death.

  • Substitutionary atonement
  • Messianic prophecy
  • The Lamb of God
  • Justification

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Yet it pleased Jehovah 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 Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Yet 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Yet it pleased Jehovah 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 Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord was pleased ... see a seed, long life, ... will do well in his hand. ...

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah hath delighted to bruise him, He hath made him sick, If his soul doth make an offering for guilt, He seeth seed--he prolongeth days, And the pleasure of Jehovah in his hand doth prosper.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity: if he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a longlived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath subjected [him] to suffering. When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see a seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.

Context

This verse delivers a stunning revelation, shifting the perspective from human injustice to divine will, explaining *why* the Servant suffered. It unveils God's active role in the Servant's affliction, presenting it as part of a redemptive plan culminating in future glory and fruitfulness. This pivotal statement moves beyond the suffering itself to its eternal consequences, setting up the subsequent verses that expound upon the benefits and results of His atoning work.

v.9And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

v.10This passage

v.11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • Hebrews 2:13

    And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

  • Psalms 85:10

    Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

  • Isaiah 53:3

    He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not.

  • Romans 8:32

    He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?

Sermon ideas from Isaiah 53:10

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Isaiah 53:10 teaches us about substitutionary atonement

  • What Isaiah 53:10 teaches us about messianic prophecy

  • What Isaiah 53:10 teaches us about the lamb of god

  • What Isaiah 53:10 teaches us about justification

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