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The Hebrew word translated `violence' is translated hamartian by the LXX., and this is adopted by Peter (1 Pet.
2:22). He also adds the verb `was found' which makes no material difference.
Isaiah 53:12. `And He was numbered with the transgressors'.
This is quoted in Mark 15:28 and Luke 22:37. These seven passages are quoted by different writers of the New
Testament and reveal the importance that this chapter holds in their estimate, for although at first sight seven
quotations do not seem many - yet no other chapter in Isaiah nor in the Old Testament is quoted so many times.
We are now ready to give this majestic chapter something of the attention that is its due. May we never forget
that its greatest glory is to lead our hearts upward from the contemplation of the letter, to Him `The Word made
flesh', `The Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me'.
`WHEREFORE GOD HATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM'
(Isa. 52:13)
`Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently, He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high'.
With these words, the great sacrificial chapter of Isaiah opens. Not with sorrow or grief, not with humiliation,
not with references to death and the grave, but with exaltation, with being extolled, and with being very high. In
earlier chapters we have read of this Servant of the Lord (Isa. 42:1,19; 43:10; 49:3,5,6), and the prophecies have
gathered strength and clarity as this climax drew near. Our attention is drawn first to what this Servant of the Lord
does, `He shall deal prudently', and then what shall be done to Him `He shall be exalted'. The word translated `deal
prudently' is given in the A.V. margin an alternative meaning `prosper'. This, however, must not be understood in
the same sense as the world `prosper' in Isaiah 53:10 where a different Hebrew word is employed. Sakal, is
rendered in most of its occurrences by the words `wise' or `understanding' but in the hiphel or causative, it is
translated eight times `prosper'. Jeremiah uses this word in a prophetic utterance that looks to the same glorious day
of the Messiah as does Isaiah 52:13 :
`Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign
and
prosper,
and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell
safely:
and
this
is
His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' (Jer. 23:5,6).
It is moreover written of both Joshua and Hoshea (names that foreshadowed the `Saviour' `Jesus') that they
`prospered' (Josh. 1:7; 2 Kings 18:7). He Who is the Wisdom of God is also the Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24); His
Wisdom is dynamic, it `prospers' and prevails.
So Isaiah 52:13 opens `My Servant shall prosper', and the seal was set upon His glorious `success' (as this word
is translated in Josh. 1:8) by His resurrection and ascension.
`He shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very high'.
The Prophet has no intention here of making three different phases in this exaltation, it is the overflowing joy of
the prophetic vision, using a well known figure of speech anabasis or `gradual ascent' whereby an increase of
emphasis is made by a rising series of successive words, phrases or sentences. We must nevertheless acquaint
ourselves with all three words, in order that the Divine intention in their use may be perceived.
`Exalted', Hebrew rum.- It will be remembered that Abraham before his name was changed (Gen. 17:5), was Abram
made up of ab `father' and rum or ram `high', and `exalted'. So also the place names, ramah and ramoth `A lofty
place' (1 Sam. 19:18; Deut. 4:43). Some of its usages in Isaiah alone will indicate sufficiently its distinctive
meaning. Exalted as a `highway' (Isa. 49:11); as one of the cedars of Lebanon (Isa. 2:13); as the Lord sitting upon a
throne `high' and lifted up (Isa. 6:1), or as `The High' and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity (Isa. 57:15). Something
of what is involved in the exaltation of Jehovah's Servant may be gathered from the expansion of the term in the
blasphemous words of Lucifer, Son of the Morning.