The consequence of the servant's suffering for the relationship between God and the others in Isaiah 53

2017

This thesis studies the relation between the servant's suffering and the others' reconciliation

with God as it is presented in Isaiah 53.

Commonly, reconciliation in Isaiah 53 is suggested to be by the servant's message

causing contrition or faith, or by his suffering being atoning. Reconciliation by message is

commonly based on interpreting the servant as a prophet. Reconciliation by atonement

is commonly based on expressions in Isaiah 53 which can be related to cultic expiation of

sin.

The thesis is based on a thorough study of the text of Isaiah 53. This study suggests

uncommon answers to textcritical questions. It also suggests uncommon translations of

some verses of Isaiah 53. Further, it suggests that Isaiah 53 is intentionally ambiguous,

both concerning the identity of the servant, and concerning reconciliation.

Isaiah 53 depicts the servant both as in need of reconciliation and as righteous, and

thus not in need of reconciliation. This contradiction can be resolved by an ambiguous

identity of the servant. Isaiah 53 depicts the servant ambiguously both as the servant

Israel, in need of reconciliation, and as a righteous servant, who reconciles Israel.

Isaiah 53 states reconciliation by chastisement and insight, and by transfer of the

burden of sin. Isaiah 53 also alludes to cultic expiation of sin. Concerning chastisement,

the servant Israel is chastised by being sent into exile. This chastisement fosters the

servant's insight and resulting righteous conduct, and thereby, the servant's peace with

God. Concerning transfer of the burden of sin, Isaiah 53 states that the we-group's and

the many's burden of sin, that is, the guilt incurred by sin and the punishment for this

guilt, is transferred to the righteous servant. By this transfer, the others are freed from

their guilt and thus reconciled. Concerning cultic expiation of sin, Isaiah 53 clearly alludes

to both the Day of Atonement and the liability offering, but does not decisively depict

the servant as scapegoat or liability offering.

Reconciliation by transfer of the burden of sin amounts to vicarious suffering. The

concept of vicarious suffering has been criticized for being unique to the Old Testament.

However, vicarious substitution is a concept commonly found in the Old Testament. Vicarious

substitution may have inspired the concept of vicarious suffering as a specific

application.