Devine Scripture

Isaiah 53:2

What does Isaiah 53:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 53:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 53:2 means

Here, the prophet describes the humble beginnings and unappealing outward appearance of the Servant. He grew up inconspicuously, like a small, struggling plant in dry ground, without the majesty or beauty typically associated with a king or a great leader. He possessed no physical attractiveness or impressive stature that would naturally draw people to Him or command their admiration. This emphasizes His ordinary, even unremarkable, human form, contradicting the world's standards for greatness and foreshadowing His rejection by those who sought a Messiah of visible glory.

Isaiah 53:2 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

For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For his growth was like that of a delicate plant before him, and like a root out of a dry place: he had no grace of form, to give us pleasure;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Yea, he cometh up as a tender plant before Him, And as a root out of a dry land, He hath no form, nor honour, when we observe him, Nor appearance, when we desire him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he shall grow up as a tender plant before him, and as a root out of a thirsty ground: there is no beauty in him, nor comeliness: and we have seen him, and there was no sightliness, that we should be desirous of him:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For he shall grow up before him as a tender sapling, and as a root out of dry ground: he hath no form nor lordliness, and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Context

Following the opening lament about unbelief, this verse immediately dives into the physical description of the Servant, explaining *why* so few believed. It paints a picture of humility and lack of outward distinction, providing the first concrete details about the Servant's earthly presence. This description is vital for understanding why so many overlooked Him, setting the stage for the deeper explanation of His suffering and true purpose.

v.1Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?

v.2This passage

v.3He 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.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 2:14

    or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.

  • Jeremiah 23:5

    Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

  • Luke 2:7

    And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

  • Zechariah 6:12

    and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of Jehovah;

  • Isaiah 11:1

    And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.

  • John 18:40

    They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Sermon ideas from Isaiah 53:2

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

  • What Isaiah 53:2 teaches us about substitutionary atonement

  • What Isaiah 53:2 teaches us about messianic prophecy

  • What Isaiah 53:2 teaches us about the lamb of god

  • What Isaiah 53:2 teaches us about justification

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