Isaiah 53:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

He was oppressed {H5065}, and he was afflicted {H6031}, yet he opened {H6605} not his mouth {H6310}: he is brought {H2986} as a lamb {H7716} to the slaughter {H2874}, and as a sheep {H7353} before {H6440} her shearers {H1494} is dumb {H481}, so he openeth {H6605} not his mouth {H6310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Though mistreated, he was submissive - he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to be slaughtered, like a sheep silent before its shearers, he did not open his mouth.

Berean Standard Bible

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

American Standard Version

He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 53:7 is a profound prophetic declaration within the fourth Servant Song, vividly portraying the Suffering Servant's silent endurance and voluntary submission in the face of extreme oppression and affliction. This verse employs powerful animal imagery—a lamb led to slaughter and a sheep before its shearers—to underscore the Servant's meekness, innocence, and deliberate refusal to defend himself, all of which point to a redemptive, vicarious suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic fourth Servant Song (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), which forms the theological heart of the book of Isaiah's second major section (chapters 40-55). Preceding verses in [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Servant Bearing Our Sins") already introduce the Servant as one who bears the griefs and sorrows of others, wounded for their transgressions, and whose suffering brings healing and peace. Verse 7 specifically details the manner of this suffering—a silent, unresisting submission—thereby deepening the portrait of vicarious atonement and setting the stage for the Servant's death and subsequent exaltation described in the verses that follow, particularly [Isaiah 53:8-12](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8-12 - The Servant's Death and Exaltation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Written during the Babylonian exile or shortly thereafter, Isaiah's prophecies often addressed a people grappling with suffering, exile, and questions of God's justice and faithfulness. The imagery of a "lamb to the slaughter" and "sheep before her shearers" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society familiar with the practices of animal sacrifice and sheep husbandry. Sacrificial animals were typically unblemished and offered without resistance, symbolizing purity and willing dedication. The concept of a silent, suffering figure who brings redemption would have been counter-cultural to expectations of a conquering Messiah, challenging conventional notions of power and deliverance prevalent in ancient Near Eastern thought.
* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") is rich with theological themes, and verse 7 contributes significantly to several. The theme of **Innocent Suffering** is paramount, as the Servant endures oppression and affliction without cause, highlighting the profound injustice of His experience. This suffering is not a sign of weakness but of **Voluntary Submission**, emphasized by the repeated phrase "yet he opened not his mouth," signifying a deliberate choice to endure without protest or defense, an act of profound humility and obedience to God's will. The powerful **Sacrificial Imagery** of the lamb and sheep evokes the innocent, defenseless nature of a sacrificial animal, foreshadowing the ultimate atoning work. This imagery is crucial for understanding the **Messianic Prophecy** inherent in the passage, as it directly points to the future redemptive work of God's chosen Servant, a theme explicitly recognized and applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament, such as in [Acts 8:32-35](/acts/8-32 "Acts 8:32-35 - Philip Explains Isaiah 53 to the Ethiopian Eunuch").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Oppressed (Hebrew, _nâgas'_):** H5065. This root conveys the idea of being driven, harassed, or exacted upon, often by a harsh taskmaster or creditor. It implies a forceful, burdensome, and unjust imposition of authority or demand, highlighting the external pressure and severe treatment the Servant endured.
* **Afflicted (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** H6031. This word signifies being depressed, humbled, bowed down, or suffering. It speaks to the internal and experiential aspect of suffering, encompassing both physical and emotional distress, and often implies a state of being brought low or humiliated.
* **Dumb (Hebrew, _ʼâlam'_):** H481. Meaning "to tie fast" or "to be tongue-tied," this word directly describes the state of being silent or unable to speak. In the context of the verse, it powerfully reinforces the Servant's deliberate and complete lack of verbal protest or self-defense, even in the face of immense injustice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the Servant's state of profound suffering. The passive voice emphasizes that this suffering is inflicted upon Him by external forces, highlighting His victimhood, yet without implying weakness. The two terms together paint a comprehensive picture of both external pressure and internal distress.
* **"yet he opened not his mouth:"**: This crucial phrase introduces the Servant's remarkable response to His suffering. Despite being unjustly treated, He chooses silence. This is not a silence born of inability, but of deliberate, profound submission and a refusal to protest or defend Himself, underscoring His unique character and purpose.
* **"he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,"**: This powerful simile vividly portrays the Servant's destiny and the manner of His approach to it. Like a lamb, an animal typically innocent and defenseless, He is led to a violent end, emphasizing His meekness, purity, and the sacrificial nature of His impending fate.
* **"and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb,"**: This second simile reiterates and reinforces the theme of silent submission. A sheep, even when undergoing the uncomfortable process of shearing, remains quiet. This image underscores the Servant's complete lack of resistance, protest, or complaint in the face of His suffering and humiliation.
* **"so he openeth not his mouth."**: This final repetition of the earlier phrase serves as a powerful concluding statement, cementing the central characteristic of the Servant's response. It is a deliberate, consistent, and profound silence that defines His submission to the will of God and His willingness to endure suffering without complaint or self-vindication.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 53:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Simile**, seen in the comparisons "as a lamb to the slaughter" and "as a sheep before her shearers is dumb." These similes are highly evocative, immediately conjuring images of innocence, defenselessness, and quiet submission, underscoring the Servant's character and the nature of His suffering. **Repetition** is also a key device, with the phrase "yet he opened not his mouth" appearing twice. This strategic repetition serves to emphasize the Servant's deliberate and profound silence, highlighting it as a central and remarkable aspect of His response to oppression. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, prophetically pointing to a future figure whose suffering would be marked by these very characteristics. This prophetic element imbues the text with a sense of divine purpose and pre-ordained fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 53:7 is a cornerstone prophecy that profoundly shapes Christian theology, particularly concerning the nature of Christ's atonement. It reveals that the Suffering Servant's silence and voluntary submission are not signs of weakness, but rather integral components of His redemptive work. This passage establishes a foundational understanding of vicarious suffering—that one innocent party would suffer on behalf of others—and highlights the profound humility and obedience required for such a sacrifice. The imagery of the lamb links the Servant directly to the Old Testament sacrificial system, where unblemished animals were offered for sin, prefiguring the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. This verse thus provides critical insight into the depth of God's love and the cost of human redemption, emphasizing that salvation is achieved not through force or protest, but through meek, silent, and willing self-sacrifice.

* [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")
* [Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 53:7 offers profound lessons for believers, inviting us to contemplate the depth of Christ's sacrifice and its implications for our own lives. The Servant's silent endurance in the face of injustice challenges our natural inclination to defend ourselves, protest wrongs, or seek immediate vindication. Instead, it points to a higher form of strength found in humility, trust in God's sovereign plan, and a willingness to suffer for a greater purpose. This verse calls us to a deeper appreciation of the immense cost of our salvation, reminding us that Jesus's deliberate silence was an active, purposeful act of obedience to the Father's will, securing our redemption. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of submission to God, even when the path is difficult or misunderstood, trusting that God's purposes will ultimately prevail and that His vindication will come in His perfect timing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Servant's silent endurance challenge your natural reactions to injustice or false accusations in your own life?**
* **What does the imagery of the "lamb to the slaughter" reveal about the nature of God's love and the cost of our redemption?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to a deeper level of humble submission or silent trust, rather than self-vindication?**

### FAQ
**Why is the Servant's silence so significant in Isaiah 53:7?**

Answer: The Servant's silence is profoundly significant because it underscores His voluntary submission, innocence, and ultimate purpose. It is not a silence born of weakness or inability to speak, but a deliberate choice to refrain from protest or self-defense. This silence highlights His meekness and willingness to endure unjust suffering without complaint, mirroring the quiet submission of a sacrificial lamb. The theological weight of this silence is immense, as it points to the Servant's complete obedience to God's will, even unto death. For Christians, this silence is powerfully fulfilled in Jesus Christ's trials, where He remained largely silent before His accusers and Pontius Pilate, as recorded in [Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate") and [Mark 14:61](/mark/14-61 "Mark 14:61 - Jesus' Silence Before the High Priest"). This deliberate non-resistance demonstrates His active participation in the divine plan of atonement, setting Him apart as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 53:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the Suffering Servant, "oppressed and afflicted," who willingly embraced His destiny without protest. During His trials before the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pilate, Jesus famously remained silent in the face of numerous accusations, directly mirroring the prophecy that "He opened not His mouth" (e.g., [Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate"); [Mark 14:61](/mark/14-61 "Mark 14:61 - Jesus' Silence Before the High Priest")). This was not a passive silence, but an active, purposeful submission to the Father's will, demonstrating His perfect obedience and the voluntary nature of His sacrifice. The imagery of being "brought as a lamb to the slaughter" powerfully identifies Jesus as the ultimate [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose innocent death atoned for humanity's transgressions. Just as a sheep is "dumb before her shearers," Christ endured the stripping away of His dignity, reputation, and even His life, without retaliation or self-vindication, becoming the perfect example of suffering for righteousness' sake ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). The early church recognized this fulfillment, as seen when Philip explains this very passage to the Ethiopian eunuch, leading him to faith in Jesus ([Acts 8:32-35](/acts/8-32 "Acts 8:32-35 - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch")). Thus, Isaiah 53:7 stands as a timeless testament to the unique, redemptive, and silent suffering of the Messiah, Jesus 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

Acts 8:32

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

Acts 8:33

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

Matthew 26:63

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

1 Peter 2:23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

Mark 14:61

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

John 19:9

And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

Matthew 27:12

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.