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Christianity teaches that Jesus is the subject of Isa. 53 and therefore is the fulfillment of various texts; one of which is Matt. 8:17.
Matthew 8:17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses."
This is a passage from from Isaiah 53:4. Let’s read the entire sentence as taken from the Hebrew Tanakh:
4 ¶ Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried; whereas we did esteem him stricken, smitten of G-d, and afflicted.
In order to interpret any passage in the Bible we have to begin correctly if we are to have any hope of understanding the real meaning of the passage.
Answer for yourself: Who is doing "the speaking" in Isa. 53:4?
Most assume that since Isaiah is writing that it is he who is doing the speaking. If that were so then we would expect the pronouns to reflect his or the Jewish views expressed in the passage. Therefore we would be speaking of the Jew's "diseases" and the Jew's "pains. We would expect that the Jews would "esteem him stricken and smitten of G-d and afflicted."
On the surface this sounds rather ridiculous if their Messiah who was to come and bring victory and salvation to Israel over the Gentile world was to be smitten of G-d in doing it when Zech. 12:10 reveals him riding into Jerusalem after the Gog and Magog was triumphantly.
Answer for yourself: What is wrong here?
Answer for yourself: Could it possible that we have the identity of the speaker wrong in Isa. 53 and it is not the Jewish people after all? It sure is as I will now show you.
As we prepare to delve into the text of Isaiah 53 we must at the beginning come to an accurate understanding of who is speaking. Without such an understanding we can be assured we will interpret the passages of Isaiah 53 incorrectly and thereby attribute meanings to them that the original author never intended.
Let me state right up front that the original manuscripts, even copies of manuscripts we have discovered, never had chapter divisions within them. These were added much later by the Church. So often we find chapter divisions put in the most unlikely of places. Sometimes the chapter division obscures the meaning of the text as well as who is doing the actual speaking as I will show you in Isaiah 53. Failure to notice who is speaking in Isaiah 53 is compounded by the chapter division which was artificially created centuries after the text was originally written. Search as you will, you will not discern the identity of the speaker by reading Isaiah 53 because the identity of the speaker is given in the verses above the chapter division of Isaiah 53. Failure to look to Isaiah 52 to discern the true speaker will cause you to believe that since Isaiah is the writer, he must be speaking himself and we erroneously connect such a concept in our minds to the idea that he is speaking for Israel. Nothing could be further from the truth. To this very important issue we now turn.
The following is taken from the Jewish Scriptures and the Tanakh.
Isa 52:13-15
13 Behold, My servant will succeed; he will be exalted and become high and exceedingly lofty. Just as multitudes were astonished over you, [SAYING] 'His appearance is too marred to be a man's, and his visage to be human,' so will the many nations (GENTILES) EXCLAIM about him, and kings will shut their mouths [in amazement], for they will see that which had never been told to them, an will perceive things they had never heard
We have already in other articles proven the "Servant" is the nation of Israel and not one person. With that understanding we now continue learning that these Gentile nations will be astonished at the truth concerning Israel and make astonishing statements that their prior understanding of Israel and their condition and theology concerning Israel was in error.
We need now to look in the KJV at Isa. 52:14 and contrast it with the Hebrew verse above:
Isa 52:14 14 As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Did you notice anything different between the translation in the Tanakh and the KJV?
Answer for yourself: Do you notice any difference between the passage in the Hebrew Scriptures and the English version of it in the KJV? Absent in the Christian's Bible is the reference to the quote as spoken by these Gentile leaders and kings concerning Israel as noted with the "quotation" marks in the Hebrew Tanakh.
Dear Christian we find in Isa. 52 that the speaker is changing and no longer is Isaiah speaking with a Jewish perspective but with a Gentile one as we enter Isa. 53. The comments from Isa. 52:14 are the perspectives and words of the Gentile nations regarding Israel and not the Jews! THIS IS OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE BECAUSE ALL THINGS SPOKEN IN ISA. 53 HAVE TO BE FILTERED THROUGH A GENTILE'S PERSPECTIVE AND NOT A JEWISH ONE!
Now notice the next verse...called Isaiah 53:1
“Who can believe what we have heard? Upon whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?...
Answer for yourself: Do you not see that the question of amazement asked in Isa. 53:1 is one from the Gentiles concerning Israel and not one from the Jews?
Well, the Tanakh makes note that Isaiah 53:1 is a quote from the Gentile kings and nations. The Christian Bible, the KJV, does not!
The Stone Edition Tanakh has this note:
Isa. 53:1-3. This is a prophecy foretelling what the nations and their Kings will exclaim when they witness Israel's rejuvenation. The nations will contrast their former scornful attitude toward the Jews (vv. 1-3) with their new realization of Israel's grandeur (vv. 4-7).
One immediately notices, since put on the alert what to look for it, that the speaker is designated in Isaiah 52 just a few verses before Isaiah 53. The kings/rulers of the nations are engaged in a dialogue concerning the Jewish people. It is the Gentile kings of the nations which are speaking and not the Jewish people. For too long now Christians read Isaiah 53 without noticing in the latter part of Isaiah 52 that the speaker is not Isaiah or the Jewish people, but rather the Gentile nations. Failure to notice this guarantees misinterpretation of Isaiah 53!
Not only should we notice this, but in the Jewish translation given above we should take note of the quotations surrounding the verses which literally the Gentile kings are speaking. This further makes certain we understand that the following dialogue is from a Gentile's perspective and not a Jewish perspective. This again is of paramount importance. Such quotations are absent in my KJV bible. The failure to note this helps one mistranslate Isaiah 53.
1 ¶ 'Who would have believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For he [the corporate nation of Israel] shot up right forth as a sapling, and as a root out of a dry ground; he [the corporate nation of Israel] had no form nor comeliness, that we should look upon him [the corporate nation of Israel], nor beauty that we should delight in him [the corporate nation of Israel]. 3 He [the corporate nation of Israel] was despised, and forsaken of men, a man of pains, and acquainted with disease [the corporate nation of Israel], and as one from whom men hide their face [the corporate nation of Israel]: he was despised [the corporate nation of Israel], and we [Gentile nations] esteemed him [the corporate nation of Israel] not.
4 ¶ Surely our diseases he [the corporate nation of Israel] did bear, and our pains he [the corporate nation of Israel] carried; whereas we did esteem him [the corporate nation of Israel] stricken, smitten of G-d [the corporate nation of Israel], and afflicted [the corporate nation of Israel]. 5 But he [the corporate nation of Israel] was wounded because of our [the Gentile's actions toward Israel] transgressions, he [the corporate nation of Israel] was crushed because of our [the Gentile's actions toward Israel] iniquities: the chastisement of our welfare was upon [the corporate nation of Israel] him, and with his [the corporate nation of Israel] stripes we [the Gentiles] were healed. 6 All [Gentiles] we like sheep did go astray, we [Gentiles] turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath made to light on him [the corporate nation of Israel] the iniquity of us [Gentiles] all. 7 He [the corporate nation of Israel] was oppressed, though he [the corporate nation of Israel] humbled himself and opened not his [the corporate nation of Israel] mouth; as a lamb [the corporate nation of Israel] that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep [the corporate nation of Israel] that before her [the Gentiles] shearers is dumb; yea, he [the corporate nation of Israel] opened not his mouth.
This should bring tears to your eyes as it does mine finally hearing the truth as G-d sees it.
Bearing constantly in mind that the servant of G-d has, and will be shown to be corporate Israel, let us look at some passages in a KJV Christian Bible.
Isaiah 52:13-15
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
As many were astonished at thee: his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
So shall he sprinkle many nations ; the kings [of these Gentile nations] shall shut their mouths at him: for that which they had not been told them shall them see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
We are told that the nations of the world (non-Jewish nations) along with their kings/rulers will consider G-d's servant. We are told they are in line for revelation concerning G-d’s servant (Israel). Understanding that the servant is again the Jewish people, the non-Jewish people and their authorities will come to an understanding concerning the Jewish people that they did not possess earlier. Their consideration of the Jewish people is enumerated for us beginning at Isaiah 53:1.
Isaiah 53:1
Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Remembering chapter divisions are artificial creations, if we read Isaiah 52:13-15 consecutively along with Isaiah 53:1 we see the beauty of the continuing story. The kings/rulers and Gentile nations will see what they had not previously seen and will hear what they had not previously heard. Understanding these Gentile kings and nations get revelation concerning the Jewish people we have their response to such new insights beginning in Isaiah 53:1. The KJV does not put this verse in quotes as noted earlier. The Jewish Scriptures does! Isaiah 53 needs to be understood as the Gentile response to new revelation as G-d lifts their blindness to see and understand the role of G-d's servant, Israel, through the ages. This new insight goes against what they had previously been told to believe. Such is probably your response as well.
These Gentile kings are literally saying “who is going to believe this…who is going to believe what we now see in light of what we were taught?” These Gentile rulers and nations are literally saying “who else sees the truth considering the Jewish people to which we were once blinded but not see?” These Gentile kings and nations begin in Isaiah 53:2 to delineate the role of Israel as they now comprehend it in truth. This new enlightenment concerning Israel as the servant of G-d causes a massive repentance in both their perspective and religious belief system. These Kings of Gentile nations recount for us the tragic story of Israel and how she has been mistreated, persecuted, and rejected by the Gentile nations throughout history. These Gentiles admit their guilt. Line upon line of Isaiah 53 is the unfolding of the tragic truth concerning the barbarism of the Gentile nations toward their Jewish neighbors. Yet the role G-d gave Israel never changed. She was faithful to be a light to the non-Jewish nations. With this understanding, all of Isaiah 53 must be re-read, for if we fail to remember who is speaking verse after verse, which is easy to do because of our past erroneous teachings, we will miss entirely what G-d wished we see through the eyes and pen of the Prophet Isaiah.
Notice that the surprised kings of nations will witness the final vindication and salvation of Israel irrespective of what they though about the Jews previously. That means our narrow theology, and that of our religious leaders regarding the salvation of the Jewish people will one day crumble in the light of G-d’s truth which will finally be forced upon the non-Jewish nations by Divine intervention and the ultimate salvation of Israel. Woe to men like the early anti-Semitic church fathers, and men like Luther and Calvin which helped shape theology today which denies the people of Israel their place in G-d’s plan of salvation of the world.
With that understanding let us continue noticing who is speaking in these verses.
1. Who hath believed our (non-Jewish nations) report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
The common anthropomorphic reference to the arm of the Lord throughout scripture signifies the spiritual and military salvation of the Jewish people from the gentile nations.
Answer for yourself: Did you hear that? This is salvation from gentile nations and gentile theology!
Israel's final vindication and redemption in the eyes of the world’s nations is the central theme of the last 27 chapters of the book of Isaiah (40-66).
Notice in the following verses the theme in Isaiah 52 which “sandwiched” between Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 54.
9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord bath comforted His people, He hath redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord hath made bare His Holy Arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our G-d! 11 Turn away, turn away, get out of there, touch no unclean one; get out of its midst, purify yourselves, you who bear the Lord's vessels. 12 For not with haste shall you go forth and not in a flurry of flight shall you go, for the Lord goes before you, and your rear guard is the G-d of Israel-
7 "For a small moment have I forsaken you, and with great mercy will I gather you. 8 With a little wrath did I hide My countenance for a moment from you, and with everlasting kindness will I have compassion on you,” said your redeemer, the Lord. 9 “For this is to Me [as] the waters of Noah, as I swore that the waters of Noah shall never pass over the earth, so have I sworn neither to be wroth with you nor to rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills totter, but My kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of My peace totter," says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.
So you see that throughout the chapters that surround Isaiah 53, the prophet is speaking of the salvation of the afflicted Jewish nation in the presence of their persecutors, the gentile nations with their anti-Semitic hatred for the Jewish people.
2 And he (the nation and not an individual) came up like a sapling before it, and like a root from dry ground, he had neither form nor comeliness; and we saw him that he had no appearance that we should have desired him.
Now you are beginning to see that this does not refer to Yeshua, but the Jewish people in total. Just be honest with yourself for a moment.
Answer for yourself: Does Christianity today desire to learn from the Jewish people?
Answer for yourself: Does Christianity today desire to keep the Jewish Sabbath which is different from their own which can be shown to be a creation of Rome in reaction to the Jewish Sabbath?
Answer for yourself: Does Christianity today desire to keep the Biblical Festivals or does it have its own Roman calendar filled with pagan holidays to which Yeshua's name has been added?
Let it not be misunderstood that for the most part, non-Jewish Christianity today views the nation of Israel, G-d’s Suffering Servant, and sees little within it that they desire.
19 O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth and shall say, "Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no benefit. 20 Shall a man make G-ds unto himself, and they are no G-ds?
One such lie is that Isaiah refers to Yeshua as G-d’s only Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53. Hopefully by now G-d is opening your eyes to the beauty of the Jewish people and their Torah and the wonderful role they play and always have played at G-d’s true Suffering Servant.
Answer for yourself: Is Jesus really the fulfillment of Matt. 8:17 now that you have seen what you did in Isa. 52 and 53 from which the writer of the Gospel of Matthew takes his quote?
No way. To take this sentence literally as referring to Jesus as a person would mean that the people seeing Jesus viewed him as plagued, damned by the Creator, and someone to be avoided when the Hebrew passage as you now have seen refers to the mistaken Gentile's perspective toward Israel and the Jewish people. But that doesn't work in the context of the Christian text (he's healing and not oppressed), which is why they chopped it up before using it.
Isaiah was using "he" to refer to all of bnei Yisrael [sons of Israel] as a single entity (hence the masculine tone). And as we have seen, "he" is often used to represent the Jewish people (request our articles on Isa. 53 and see for yourself). If you read the sentences that proceed and follow this one, you will see that Isaiah is telling the Jewish people (CORPORATE ISRAEL) how they are viewed as an entity by other nations. It speaks of the other nations looking at the load that the Jewish nation had to bear, realizing that it is a load that they too should have borne. The Gentiles come to see that the burdens Israel carries is do to their hatred of the Jewish people and all their persecutions of them due to their mistaken theology is shown to be pure vanity. The Gentiles and their church is wrong and there sad state before G-d is finally revealed to them. The Gentiles and their church and forged religious documents has cause this great sadness to befall Israel and the shame of the Gentiles is finally revealed to them. It says that the nations had incorrectly perceived that the Jews were rightfully mistreated by other nations and by G-d, and that G-d had abandoned them which is NOT the case. They Jews suffered the indignations of other nations because the Gentiles refused to set at the dust of the feet of the Jews and learn of their G-d!
4 ¶ Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried; whereas we did esteem him stricken, smitten of G-d, and afflicted.
Again, notice that a partial sentence by the writer of Matthew where he left out was used to "prove" that the Messiah would heal the sick by his personal appearance. But as we can see in the full sentence, the verse says is nothing about a person healing the sick Understanding again the Gentiles are speaking then the passage refers to Israel carrying the "diseases" of the Gentiles and their "pains."
The Hebrew word of "diseases" as taken from the Strong’s Lexicon:
2483 choliy (khol-ee'); from 2470; malady, anxiety, calamity: KJV-- disease, grief, (is) sick (-ness).
In context the verse refers to Israel carrying and bearing the brunt of the calamity forced upon it by the Gentiles. Israel received grief and sickness of the erroneous theology of the Gentiles as seen in over 2000 years of persecutions and death.
The Hebrew word for "pains" as taken from Brown-Drivers-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon:
4341 mak'ob sometimes mak'owb also (feminine Isa. 53:3) mak'obah- pain, sorrow a) pain (physical) b) pain (mental)
In context the verse shares the Gentiles admission that Israel as been the recipient of physical and mental pain as inflicted upon them by the Gentiles and their religious persecutions on Israel for over 2000 years.
The Hebrew word for "stricken" from the Strong's Lexicon:
5060 naga` (naw-gah'); a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphem., to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.): KJV-- beat, (X be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
In context the verse shares the Gentiles admission that Israel has been the recipient of their punishment, destruction, military defeats, and other violent actions.
The Hebrew word for "smitten" from Brown-Drivers-Briggs Lexicon:
5221 nakah- to strike, to smite, to hit, to beat, to slay, to kill a) (Niphal) to be stricken or smitten b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten c) (Hiphil) 1) to smite, to strike, to beat, to scourge, to clap, to applaud, to give a thrust 2) to smite, to kill, to slay (man or beast) 3) to smite, to attack, to attack and destroy, to conquer, to subjugate, to ravage 4) to smite, to chastise, to send judgment upon, to punish, to destroy d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1) to receive a blow 2) to be wounded 3) to be beaten 4) to be (fatally) smitten, to be killed, to be slain 5) to be attacked and captured 6) to be smitten (with disease) 7) to be blighted (used of plants)
In context we find the same again; namely the Gentile's admission of their horrible treatment of the Jewish people.
The Hebrew word for "afflicted from Brown-Drivers-Briggs Lexicon:
6031 `anah- 1) (Qal) to be occupied, to be busied with 2) to afflict, to oppress, to humble, to be afflicted, to be bowed down a) (Qal) 1) to be put down, to become low 2) to be depressed, to be downcast 3) to be afflicted 4) to stoop b) (Niphal) 1) to humble oneself, to bow down 2) to be afflicted, to be humbled c) (Piel) 1) to humble, to mishandle, to afflict 2) to humble, to be humiliated 3) to afflict 4) to humble, to weaken oneself d) (Pual) 1) to be afflicted 2) to be humbled e) (Hiphil) to afflict f) (Hithpael) 1) to humble oneself 2) to be afflicted
In context we find the same again; namely the Gentile's admission of their horrible treament of the Jewish people.
Without a doubt the writer of the Gospel of Matthew has altered the meaning of the Servant of G-d which was the nation of Israel and made it solely an individual and twisted the verse from it's original context and made it seem as if the verse applied to Jesus and his healing ministry when the context of the original verses had nothing to do with such a thing whatsoever. This is not fulfilled prophecy and the Holy Spirit had nothing to do with such writings which are lies and not truths. The irony of the whole matter is that within this touted inspired New Testament the Jewish people and their Bible is still suffering at the hands of the Gentiles!
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