Apparently, and I will admit I have not personally researched this , but pre Christian Hebrew scholars took this to be about messiah. I really don't see how they can make it to be about the nation is real. But thanks for the reply.
Just have to break it down a little at a time.
Issues I have for instance, "He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high,". Jesus, having been condemned to death in a not so very glorious manner tells me this prophecy was not realized in him.
Another consideration "He shall see seed and live many days," to the best of my knowledge Jesus had no offspring. His disciples cannot be called his offspring, though the word
בָּנִים (
sons) is applicable to them, and
אֲבוֹת (
fathers) to the teachers. But the word
זֶרַע (
seed)? It cannot as it is used in the bible only for bodily heirs.
Jesus was put to death when he was thirty years or so old. Now I know christians say Jesus is God but how can you say, "he shall live long" or "prolong his days" to a divine being? A term of longevity seems to be very inappropriate to God who is the prime cause of all existence and whose self existence is eternal.
From chapter 52 "Behold my servant shall prosper," to the end of the 53rd chapter, concern the people of Israel, who are still bearing the yoke of captivity, and are termed my servant in the singular number. This expression is used in many other places for example. In Isaiah, "And thou, O Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, my friend." Again, "And I say unto thee, Thou art my servant". "And now hear, O Jacob my servant, and Israel whom I have chosen", "Remember these things, O Jacob and Israel, for thou art my servant.", "I have formed thee to be my servant." "For the sake of Jacob my servant and Israel my chosen one."
I have never run across any scripture where Gods speaks of an individual such as Jesus as His chosen one. God states explicitly that he formed Israel to be His chosen servant.
I'm not sure what a pre christian hebrew scholar is, but we all dont think like them. Christian authorities love to quote from scriptures certain passages which on careful examination have absolutely no reference whatever to the immediate subject. I would suggest start reading from the first page of Genesis to understand the context of who is being spoken of in Isaiah 53. If not, then try starting with Isaiah 51 thru 54.
What do you think?
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