ISAIAH 53 – The Forbidden Chapter
ישעיהו נ״ג
Yeshayahu Nun-Gimmel
Isaiah 53
Who is the Suffering Servant—and Why Do So Many Refuse to See Him?
For centuries, Yeshayahu Nun-Gimmel (Isaiah 53) has shaken souls and sparked controversy.
It’s often skipped in synagogue readings, earning the nickname:
הַפֶּרֶק הָאָסוּר – HaPerek HaAsur (“The Forbidden Chapter”).
⸻
WHO IS THE SERVANT?
Some modern Rabbis claim the Eved Adonai (עֶבֶד יְהוָה, “Servant of the LORD”) is Am Yisrael (עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל – the nation of Israel), suffering unjustly for the sins of the Gentile world.
This is dangerously similar to supersessionist Christians who claim the Church is the New Israel.
Both distort Scripture. Both rob the Messiah of His role.
Let’s examine the passage with Hebrew insight and prophetic clarity.
⸻
1. THE SERVANT IS AN INDIVIDUAL – NOT A NATION
“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows…” (Isaiah 53:3)
Hebrew: אִישׁ מַכְאֹבוֹת (ish mach’ovot)
Not a nation. A man. A singular, suffering individual.
He is pierced, silent, killed, buried, then raised.
⸻
2. HE SUFFERS AS A SUBSTITUTE
“But He was pierced for our transgressions…” (v5)
Hebrew: וְהוּא מְחֹלָל מִפְּשָׁעֵנוּ (vehu mecholal mip’sha’einu)
“He was crushed for our iniquities.”
This is תַּחַת – tachat, substitution.
But Israel suffers for her own sins (Isaiah 1:4), not for others.
⸻
3. HE IS INNOCENT, YET PUNISHED
“He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.” (v9)
No prophet, no king—not even Moshe Rabbeinu—could claim sinlessness.
This is a divine Servant, untainted, silent, and willingly led:
כַּשֶּׂה לַטֶּבַח יוּבָל (kaseh latevach yuval)
“Like a lamb to the slaughter…” (v7)
⸻
4. HE DIES—AND LIVES AGAIN
“He was cut off from the land of the living…” (v8)
“He shall prolong His days…” (v10)
Resurrection. A suffering, dying, and then living Messiah.
Who fits this?
Only Yeshua HaMashiach (ישוע המשיח).
⸻
5. ANCIENT RABBIS AGREED
Before it was “forbidden,” many Jewish sages saw Isaiah 53 as messianic:
•Targum Jonathan: “Behold, My servant the Messiah…”
•Rabbi Moshe Kohen Ibn Crispin (14th c.):
“The prophet is speaking of the King Messiah.”
⸻
OBJECTION: “But Jesus Didn’t Bring Peace!”
Many today reject Yeshua because He didn’t usher in universal peace, rebuild the Beit HaMikdash (Temple), or establish a Messianic Kingdom.
But this misunderstands the mission of the Messiah—which is clearly in two comings, not one.
⸻
TWO COMINGS – ONE MESSIAH
The Tanakh presents Mashiach ben Yosef (משיח בן יוסף) – the suffering servant,
and Mashiach ben David (משיח בן דוד) – the conquering king.
The prophets saw the mountaintops—but not the valley in between.
⸻
First Coming – To Suffer and Die
•“Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself…” – Daniel 9:26
•“They pierced My hands and feet…” – Psalm 22:16
•“Despised… wounded… crushed…” – Isaiah 53
⸻
Second Coming – To Reign and Judge
•“His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives…” – Zechariah 14:4
•“The government shall be on His shoulder…” – Isaiah 9:6–7
•“They shall beat their swords into plowshares…” – Isaiah 2:4
⸻
THIS IS NO CONTRADICTION
Even Yeshua asked:
“Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then enter His glory?”
— Luke 24:26
And the prophets confirm:
“They will look upon Me, whom they have pierced…” – Zechariah 12:10
There is peace coming—but it will come after repentance, not before.
He came first as HaSeh Elohim (הַשֶּׂה אֱלֹהִים – the Lamb of God),
He will return as Melech HaMashiach (מֶלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ – the King Messiah).
⸻
THE MESSIAH IS NOT MISSING – HE’S COMING BACK
Yeshua’s first mission fulfilled the prophecies of suffering.
His return will fulfill the rest—bringing global peace, restoration, and the Kingdom of God.
“All we like sheep have gone astray… and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
— Isaiah 53:6
⸻
Will you recognize Him now?