Isaiah 52:13

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

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

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

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

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

Isaiah 52:13 introduces the final and most profound of Isaiah's "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), shifting dramatically from the Servant's impending humiliation to His glorious future. This pivotal verse sets the stage for understanding the full scope of the Messiah's work – from profound suffering to ultimate triumph and universal recognition.

Context

This verse stands as the opening statement of the fourth and most significant of Isaiah's "Servant Songs," immediately preceding the detailed prophecies of the Suffering Servant's humiliation, death, and resurrection found in Isaiah chapter 53. After describing Zion's restoration and God's coming reign, the prophet Isaiah dramatically shifts focus to the individual through whom this salvation would be accomplished. The phrase "Behold, my servant" serves as a divine announcement, drawing attention to a figure whose actions and destiny are central to God's redemptive plan for humanity, particularly the work of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Key Themes

  • The Prudent and Wise Servant: The phrase "deal prudently" translates the Hebrew word sâkal (שָׂכַל), which means to act wisely, to have insight, to be successful, or to prosper. This highlights the Servant's divine wisdom and purposeful action, suggesting that His work, though seemingly tragic and leading to suffering, is part of a perfectly executed divine strategy. This foresight and understanding are characteristic of the wisdom inherent in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled God's will.
  • Ultimate Exaltation and Triumph: The progression "he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high" paints a vivid picture of unparalleled honor and supreme elevation. Despite the profound suffering detailed in the subsequent verses, the Servant's ultimate destiny is one of supreme vindication and glory. This prophetic declaration finds its ultimate fulfillment in the resurrection, ascension, and heavenly reign of Jesus Christ, who was highly exalted by God above every name.
  • God's Sovereign Plan: The verse underlines God's intentionality. The Servant's actions and ultimate destiny are not random but are part of God's deliberate and foreordained plan to bring salvation and justice to the world. It emphasizes that the Messiah's path, though difficult, was always leading to a victorious outcome planned by God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term sâkal (שָׂכַל) used for "deal prudently" is significant. While often rendered as "prosper," its deeper meaning encompasses wisdom, insight, and understanding that leads to effective and successful action. It speaks to a profound, divine intelligence rather than mere worldly success. It implies that the Servant's mission, though appearing to fail in human eyes (as detailed in Isaiah 53), is executed with perfect wisdom, ensuring its ultimate and eternal success in God's eyes.

Practical Application

For believers, Isaiah 52:13 offers immense hope and a profound model for life. It reminds us that God's redemptive plan often involves a path through suffering before reaching glory. Just as the Suffering Servant endured humiliation before His ultimate exaltation, Christians are called to live prudently and faithfully, trusting that God will ultimately vindicate and elevate those who serve Him. This verse encourages perseverance and steadfastness, knowing that even in trials and apparent setbacks, God is working out His perfect plan, which leads to ultimate triumph and honor for His people through Christ. It assures us that no suffering is in vain when it is part of God's sovereign will and leads to His glory.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:
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