Isaiah 52:13

KJV

¶ Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, my servant {H5650} shall deal prudently {H7919}, he shall be exalted {H7311} and extolled {H5375}, and be very {H3966} high {H1361}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"See how my servant will succeed! He will be raised up, exalted, highly honored!

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

American Standard Version

Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 52:13 introduces the climactic fourth "Servant Song," dramatically shifting focus from the restoration of Zion to the singular figure through whom God's ultimate salvation would be achieved. This pivotal verse serves as a divine announcement, foretelling the Servant's profound wisdom and purposeful action, which, despite leading to immense suffering detailed in the subsequent verses, culminates in unparalleled exaltation and universal recognition, setting the stage for understanding the full scope of the Messiah's redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the powerful opening of the fourth and most significant of Isaiah's "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), often regarded as the theological pinnacle of the book. It immediately follows a triumphant declaration of God's return to Zion, the good news of salvation proclaimed to Jerusalem, and the call for the exiles to depart from Babylon (Isaiah 52:7-12). The abrupt introduction of "my servant" signals a dramatic shift from the corporate identity of Israel to a singular, individual figure whose destiny is intertwined with God's redemptive plan. This Servant's future glory, announced here, stands in stark contrast to the profound humiliation and suffering detailed in the verses that follow, creating a powerful prophetic tension that is resolved only through His ultimate vindication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Isaiah spans various historical periods, reflecting the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles and the subsequent return. In this context, Israel often struggled with its identity as God's "servant," frequently failing to live up to its covenant responsibilities. The concept of a "servant" in the ancient Near East could refer to a king, prophet, or even a nation acting on behalf of a deity. However, the "Servant" described in Isaiah's songs, particularly this one, transcends these conventional understandings. He is not merely a human agent but one endowed with divine wisdom and purpose, whose mission is unique and universal in scope. The expectation of a coming deliverer or Messiah was deeply embedded in Jewish thought, yet the idea of a suffering servant who achieves exaltation through humiliation was radically counter-cultural and challenged prevailing notions of a conquering king.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 52:13 introduces several profound themes that resonate throughout the Servant Songs and the broader biblical narrative. The declaration that the Servant "shall deal prudently" highlights His profound divine wisdom and purposeful action, ensuring that even His path through suffering is part of a perfectly executed divine strategy, characteristic of the [wisdom inherent in Christ](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"). The progression "he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high" paints a vivid picture of unparalleled honor and supreme elevation, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the [resurrection, ascension, and heavenly reign of Jesus Christ](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Post-Resurrection Exaltation"). The verse profoundly underlines God's intentionality, emphasizing that the Servant's actions and ultimate destiny are part of God's deliberate and [foreordained plan](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Determined Counsel and Foreknowledge") to bring salvation and justice to the world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Servant (Hebrew, _ʻebed'_):** H5650. This term denotes one who is in a state of servitude or bond-service. While it can refer to a literal slave, in a theological context, it often describes one who is devoted to God's will, acting as an agent or representative. In the Servant Songs, `ʻebed` is used in a unique and profound way, pointing to an individual who perfectly embodies God's purposes, contrasting with Israel's often-failed role as God's corporate servant.
* **Deal prudently (Hebrew, _sâkal'_):** H7919. This primitive root signifies being circumspect, intelligent, or wise. It implies acting with insight, understanding, and skill, leading to successful or prosperous outcomes. The prudence here is not mere cleverness but a divine wisdom that ensures the Servant's actions, even those leading to apparent failure (as described in Isaiah 53), are perfectly aligned with God's ultimate and successful plan. It speaks to a profound, divine intelligence rather than just worldly success.
* **Exalted (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** H7311. This root means "to be high," or "to rise or raise." It encompasses various applications, both literal and figurative, including being lifted up, elevated, or promoted. In this context, it speaks of supreme elevation and honor, indicating a divine vindication and glorification that follows the Servant's mission. The repetition of similar terms ("extolled," "very high") intensifies this sense of ultimate and unparalleled exaltation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold,"**: This is a powerful, attention-grabbing interjection, a divine summons for the audience to pay close attention to what is about to be revealed. It signals a momentous and significant declaration, drawing the reader into the heart of God's redemptive plan.
* **"my servant shall deal prudently,"**: This clause identifies the subject as "my servant"—a figure of divine appointment and unique relationship with God. The phrase "deal prudently" (or "act wisely," "have insight," "prosper") signifies that the Servant's actions are characterized by divine wisdom and strategic understanding. His path, though seemingly paradoxical in light of future suffering, is executed with perfect foresight and purpose, ensuring its ultimate success in God's eyes.
* **"he shall be exalted and extolled,"**: This marks a dramatic shift from the Servant's wise action to His future state. "Exalted" (rûwm) and "extolled" (nâsâʼ) are strong verbs of elevation, indicating a lifting up to a position of honor, prominence, and praise. This foreshadows a profound vindication and glorification that will follow His work, suggesting a reversal of any prior lowliness or suffering.
* **"and be very high."**: This final phrase intensifies the preceding declarations of exaltation. The adverb "very" (mᵉʼôd) combined with "high" (gâbahh) emphasizes the absolute and unparalleled nature of the Servant's future elevation. It signifies a supreme, ultimate, and universal recognition of His authority and glory, placing Him in a position of ultimate supremacy.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 52:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The opening word, **"Behold,"** functions as a **Dramatic Introduction** or an imperative to **Attention**, immediately signaling the importance and revelatory nature of the prophecy that follows. This serves to arrest the reader's focus on the central figure of the "Servant." The verse also utilizes **Anticipation**, as it sets the stage for the detailed description of the Servant's suffering in Isaiah 53, creating a powerful tension between the announced glory and the impending humiliation. This implicit **Paradox** (suffering leading to exaltation) is central to the Servant's identity. Furthermore, the escalating sequence of verbs—"exalted and extolled, and be very high"—demonstrates **Climax** and **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the unparalleled and ultimate nature of the Servant's future glorification. This progressive elevation underscores the divine vindication that awaits Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 52:13 serves as a crucial theological bridge, connecting the themes of divine wisdom, suffering, and ultimate triumph within God's redemptive plan. It posits that true success and exaltation, from God's perspective, may involve a path of profound humility and apparent weakness. The Servant's prudence is not about avoiding hardship but navigating it with divine insight, ensuring that every step, including suffering, contributes to the ultimate, glorious outcome. This verse introduces the profound mystery of a Messiah who achieves victory not through conventional power, but through a divinely ordained process of self-emptying and subsequent exaltation, setting the stage for understanding the nature of Christ's work.

* [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")
* [John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Lifted Up to Draw All People")
* [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 52:13 offers profound encouragement and a transformative model for believers. It reminds us that God's redemptive plan often involves a path through suffering before reaching glory, mirroring the Servant's journey from prudent action to ultimate exaltation. For those who follow Christ, this verse encourages perseverance and steadfastness, knowing that even in trials and apparent setbacks, God is working out His perfect plan. It assures us that our faithful service, even when it involves hardship or misunderstanding, is not in vain, but is part of a divinely orchestrated narrative that leads to ultimate triumph and honor. Just as the Servant's "prudence" led to His exaltation, our wise and obedient living, trusting in God's sovereign hand, will ultimately be vindicated. This calls us to embrace humility, knowing that true elevation comes from God, often through paths we might not choose ourselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of the Servant "dealing prudently" challenge our conventional understanding of success or prosperity?**
* **In what areas of your life are you called to trust God's "prudent" plan, even when it involves difficulty or a path you don't fully understand?**
* **How does the promise of ultimate exaltation for the Servant encourage you when facing trials or feeling overlooked in your service to God?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true humility and how it relates to God's ultimate vindication?**

### FAQ
**Who is "my servant" in Isaiah 52:13?**

Answer: While the term "servant" in Isaiah can refer to Israel, a remnant within Israel, or even the prophet Isaiah himself, in Isaiah 52:13 and the subsequent Servant Song (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), "my servant" refers uniquely to the Messiah. This figure is distinct from corporate Israel and possesses divine qualities and a redemptive mission that only Jesus Christ fully embodies. The New Testament consistently identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy, particularly in His suffering, death, and resurrection.

**What does "deal prudently" mean in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "deal prudently" (sâkal) carries a rich meaning beyond simple worldly success. It implies acting with deep wisdom, insight, and understanding, leading to effective and successful action from a divine perspective. In the context of the Servant, it means His entire mission, including His suffering (as detailed in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")), is not a failure but a perfectly executed, divinely wise strategy that achieves God's ultimate redemptive purposes. It speaks to Christ's perfect obedience and divine foresight in His earthly ministry.

**How does this verse relate to Isaiah 53?**

Answer: Isaiah 52:13 serves as the grand introduction to Isaiah 53, creating a profound and intentional literary and theological tension. While Isaiah 52:13 declares the Servant's future exaltation and supreme glory, Isaiah 53 then immediately details the shocking and unexpected path to that glory: profound humiliation, suffering, rejection, and sacrificial death. This juxtaposition highlights the paradox of the Messiah's work—that His ultimate triumph and exaltation are achieved *through* His suffering, not despite it. It sets the stage for understanding the redemptive power of His sacrifice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 52:13 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "Servant" of the Lord, uniquely chosen and empowered by God. His earthly ministry was characterized by divine wisdom and purposeful action, perfectly "dealing prudently" as He taught, healed, and ultimately walked the path to the cross, fulfilling every prophecy concerning Him (as seen in [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). The paradox of His path—from the humility of His incarnation ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation")) to His ultimate suffering on the cross detailed in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")—was all part of God's sovereign and wise plan ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Determined Counsel and Foreknowledge")). The declaration that "he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high" was powerfully realized in Christ's resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and His enthronement at the right hand of God, where He now reigns as Lord of all ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Lordship"); [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ's Supremacy")). Thus, Isaiah 52:13 is not merely a prediction but a profound theological statement about the nature of God's redemptive work, perfectly accomplished in the exalted Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 2:7

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:11

And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Isaiah 42:1

¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

John 3:31

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

Isaiah 11:2

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Isaiah 11:3

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: