King James Version

What Does Isaiah 53:8 Mean?

Isaiah 53:8 in the King James Version says “He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 53 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. from prison: or, he was taken away by distress and judgment: but, etc was he: Heb. was the stroke upon him

Isaiah 53:8 · KJV


Context

6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. laid: Heb. made the iniquity of us all to meet on him

7

He 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.

8

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. from prison: or, he was taken away by distress and judgment: but, etc was he: Heb. was the stroke upon him

9

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. death: Heb. deaths

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.' Legal injustice ('from prison and from judgment') leads to death. 'Cut off from the land of the living' means killed. The reason: 'for the transgression of my people' - substitutionary suffering for others' sins.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's unjust trial and execution fulfill this precisely. 'Who shall declare his generation' may refer to His lack of offspring (dying young) or the impossibility of fully describing His nature.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does legal injustice serve God's redemptive purposes?
  2. What does 'cut off for the transgression of my people' teach about substitution?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
מֵעֹ֤צֶר1 of 15

from prison

H6115

closure; also constraint

וּמִמִּשְׁפָּט֙2 of 15

and from judgment

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

לֻקָּ֔ח3 of 15

He was taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְאֶת4 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דּוֹר֖וֹ5 of 15

his generation

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

מִ֣י6 of 15
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יְשׂוֹחֵ֑חַ7 of 15

and who shall declare

H7878

to ponder, i.e., (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or (transitively) utter

כִּ֤י8 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִגְזַר֙9 of 15

for he was cut off

H1504

to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ10 of 15

out of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חַיִּ֔ים11 of 15

of the living

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

מִפֶּ֥שַׁע12 of 15

for the transgression

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

עַמִּ֖י13 of 15

of my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

נֶ֥גַע14 of 15

was he stricken

H5061

a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)

לָֽמוֹ׃15 of 15
H0

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 53:8 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 53:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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