King James Version

What Does Isaiah 53:2 Mean?

Isaiah 53:2 in the King James Version says “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; an...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 53 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 53:2 · King James Version

Context

1

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? report: or, doctrine?: Heb. hearing?

2

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.

3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. we hid: or, he hid as it were his face from us: Heb. as an hiding of faces from him, or, from us

4

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
'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.' The Servant's humble origins: 'tender plant' (yoneq - suckling, sapling), 'root out of dry ground' (unlikely place for growth). No external attractiveness draws attention. The Hebrew 'hadar' (majesty/beauty) is absent.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This describes Jesus's ordinary appearance and humble origins - carpenter's son from Nazareth, no royal palace, no impressive physical presence. Messiah came without the expected trappings of power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's ordinariness challenge expectations of what a savior should look like?
  2. Why might God choose unpretentious means for His greatest work?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיַּ֨עַל1 of 15

“For he shall grow up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

כַּיּוֹנֵ֜ק2 of 15

“him as a tender plant”

H3126

a sucker; hence, a twig (of a tree felled and sprouting)

לְפָנָ֗יו3 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְכַשֹּׁ֙רֶשׁ֙4 of 15

“and as a root”

H8328

a root (literally or figuratively)

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ5 of 15

“ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

צִיָּ֔ה6 of 15

“out of a dry”

H6723

aridity; concretely, a desert

לֹא7 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֹ֥אַר8 of 15

“he hath no form”

H8389

outline, i.e., figure or appearance

ל֖וֹ9 of 15
H0
וְלֹ֣א10 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָדָ֑ר11 of 15

“nor comeliness”

H1926

magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor

וְנִרְאֵ֥הוּ12 of 15

“and when we shall see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְלֹֽא13 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מַרְאֶ֖ה14 of 15

“him there is no beauty”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

וְנֶחְמְדֵֽהוּ׃15 of 15

“that we should desire”

H2530

to delight in

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 53:2 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 53:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Philippians 2:6-7Isaiah 52:14John 1:10-14Isaiah 11:1Mark 6:3Ezekiel 17:22-24

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Isaiah 53 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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