King James Version

What Does Isaiah 53:12 Mean?

Isaiah 53:12 in the King James Version says “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath pou... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 53 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12 · KJV


Context

10

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. thou: or, his soul shall make an offering

11

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

12

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.' Victory language: portion, spoil - the Servant triumphs. Four reasons: poured out soul unto death, numbered with transgressors, bore sin of many, made intercession. Jesus quoted 'numbered with transgressors' (Luke 22:37).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This final verse summarizes the Servant's work: sacrificial death, identification with sinners, sin-bearing, and ongoing intercession. The victory is complete; the triumph assured.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Servant's suffering lead to ultimate triumph?
  2. What does ongoing intercession for transgressors mean for your confidence before God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 22
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יְחַלֵּ֣ק2 of 22

Therefore will I divide

H2505

to be smooth (figuratively)

ל֣וֹ3 of 22
H0
רַבִּ֣ים4 of 22

him a portion with the great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְאֶת5 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

עֲצוּמִים֮6 of 22

with the strong

H6099

powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous

יְחַלֵּ֣ק7 of 22

Therefore will I divide

H2505

to be smooth (figuratively)

שָׁלָל֒8 of 22

the spoil

H7998

booty

תַּ֗חַת9 of 22
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶעֱרָ֤ה11 of 22

because he hath poured out

H6168

to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish

לַמָּ֙וֶת֙12 of 22

unto death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

נַפְשׁ֔וֹ13 of 22

his soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְאֶת14 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וְלַפֹּשְׁעִ֖ים15 of 22

for the transgressors

H6586

to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel

נִמְנָ֑ה16 of 22

and he was numbered

H4487

properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll

וְהוּא֙17 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חֵטְא18 of 22

the sin

H2399

a crime or its penalty

רַבִּ֣ים19 of 22

him a portion with the great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

נָשָׂ֔א20 of 22

and he bare

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

וְלַפֹּשְׁעִ֖ים21 of 22

for the transgressors

H6586

to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel

יַפְגִּֽיעַ׃22 of 22

and made intercession

H6293

to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 53:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 53:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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