Isaiah 53:7
What does Isaiah 53:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 53:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 53:7 means
The Servant's profound submission in the face of injustice is depicted here. Despite being oppressed and afflicted, He remained utterly silent, offering no resistance or defense. This quiet endurance is powerfully illustrated through the imagery of a lamb being led to slaughter or a sheep standing dumb before its shearers. This highlights His voluntary and meek acceptance of suffering, fulfilling a sacrificial role without protest, a clear foreshadowing of Jesus' behavior during His trial and crucifixion.
Isaiah 53:7 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 · 2000He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Men were cruel to him, but he was gentle and quiet; as a lamb taken to its death, and as a sheep before those who take her wool makes no sound, so he said not a word.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862It hath been exacted, and he hath answered, And he openeth not his mouth, As a lamb to the slaughter he is brought, And as a sheep before its shearers is dumb, And he openeth not his mouth.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth: he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, but he opened not his mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and was as a sheep dumb before her shearers, and he opened not his mouth.
Context
This verse vividly portrays the Servant's passive suffering, following the declaration that God laid humanity's iniquity upon Him. It moves from the *purpose* of His suffering to the *manner* of it, emphasizing His silent, submissive nature in the face of immense injustice. This profound meekness sets the stage for the subsequent verses that detail His unjust judgment and death, underscoring the voluntary nature of His ultimate sacrifice.
v.6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
v.7This passage
v.8By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 19:9
and he entered into the Prætorium again, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
- Matthew 27:12
And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
- Mark 14:61
But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and saith unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
- Matthew 26:63
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
- Luke 23:9
And he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
- Mark 15:5
But Jesus no more answered anything; insomuch that Pilate marvelled.
Sermon ideas from Isaiah 53:7
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Isaiah 53:7 teaches us about substitutionary atonement
What Isaiah 53:7 teaches us about messianic prophecy
What Isaiah 53:7 teaches us about the lamb of god
What Isaiah 53:7 teaches us about justification
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Isaiah 53
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Isaiah 53.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Atonement
Atonement, a central doctrine of Christianity, describes how humanity is reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
Topic
Bible Verses About Intercession
Intercession is prayer offered on behalf of another, a selfless act of love and faith that demonstrates our care for others.
Topic
Bible Verses About Propitiation
Propitiation refers to the appeasement of God's wrath through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, making reconciliation possible.
What the Bible says about…
Answer
What does the Bible say about healing?
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Answer
What does the Bible say about suffering?
Our light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.
Answer
What does the Bible say about anxiety?
Cast your worries on him, because he cares for you.
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Praying for a Sick Loved One
When someone you love is suffering — verses to pray over their healing.
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Anxiety Before a Job Interview
Quiet your nerves and walk in with steady steps — six verses to pray on the way.