Beth-El Baptist Church

04/01/2012

Greg Tomlinson


What is the meaning of Isaiah 52:14?


The phrase “his form more than the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:14c) can be very confusing. A comparison of “is form” is being made to the “form” of “the sons of men”. The legitimate question is “more than what?”


  1. What is the fuller context of Isaiah 52:14?

Isaiah 52:1-2 Revelation 21:1-4

Isaiah 52:3-6 Romans 4:1-8

Isaiah 52:7-12 1 Corinthians 15:22-26


The chapter opens with a proclamation of the beauty of Jerusalem and how it will become truly holy and undefiled. This is speaking of the new Jerusalem, the heavenly Jerusalem. The chapter then moves on to the historical (Egyptian) and future (New Covenant) redemption of the people. In both cases their salvation will be the complete and total work of God and of God alone. This is followed by a description of the success of the faithful “watchman”, the one who brings the good news that the battle has been won and peace will remain forever more. The battle was won by God and the the land will be cleansed.


  1. What is the immediate context of Isaiah 52:14?

Isaiah 52:13 – The subject is identified by name “my servant”. His character is being explained here. First he is to be “made to be prudent” or his wise dealings will be made obvious

Mark 11:27-33

Isaiah 52:13 – Using 3 different verbs identifying the “exalted”, “lifted”, “high” position that he will have. This is speaking of Jesus as God in flesh although that particular aspect of His identity is not fully developed yet.

Philippians 2:5-11


Isaiah 52:14 – Translated from the Hebrew: “According to whom they have been greatly appalled upon him so disfigured in his face more than any other man in his appearance and his form more than any son of mankind”


There is actually only one verb in this sentence “have been greatly appalled”. The subject is “they” implying the people. The rest of the sentence contains no verbs. The first phrase is an adverbial phrase “so disfigured in his face more than any other man in his appearance” which is describing the extent of his disfigurement. There has never been a man so disfigured in all of history.


This brings us to the third part of the sentence “and his form more than any son of mankind”. This is the part that is in question. The 'and' links this part of the sentence to the adverbial phrase so it is actually a part of the adverbial phrase. Again, this is speaking of the extent of his disfigurement.

Isaiah 53:2

Matthew 27:27-31

John 19:1-18



  1. What is meant by “form” here?

Genesis 29:17 – Speaking of Rachel's physical beauty

Genesis 39:6 – Speaking of the handsomeness of Joseph

Deuteronomy 21:11 – Speaking of the beauty of a captive woman

Judges 8:13-18 – Speaking of relatives of Gideon looking like kings

1 Peter 2:21-25 Romans 8:3-5


The word that is translated “form” is speaking of his physical body. It was in the physical body of Jesus Christ that the sins of mankind were paid for. The beating that He took on our behalf was so bad that even His physical body was disfigured beyond recognition as being that of a man.