Isaiah 53:7
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.
Isaiah 53:7 · King James Version
Meaning
As the verse describes, this passage reflects the suffering and humility of Jesus Christ as he faced his crucifixion and death. Despite being oppressed and afflicted, he chose not to defend himself or speak out against his accusers. This demonstrates his obedience to God's will and his willingness to sacrifice himself as a pure and innocent offering, similar to a lamb brought to the slaughter. The imagery of a sheep before her shearers being silent highlights Jesus' acceptance of his fate and his determination to fulfill his mission of redemption for humanity. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' selflessness, meekness, and ultimate victory over sin and death through his crucifixion and resurrection.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of the verse "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" (Isaiah 53:7) highlights the symbolism of Jesus Christ as the sacrificial lamb. This verse from the Book of Isaiah is often seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' crucifixion, where he willingly endured suffering and death without protesting or defending himself. The comparison to a lamb led to the belief in Christian theology that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was to atone for the sins of humanity, echoing the concept of sacrifice seen in the Old Testament. Word studies of key terms like "oppressed," "afflicted," and "shearers" provide further insight into the depth of Jesus' obedience and willingness to fulfill his role as the ultimate sacrifice for redemption. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' humility and selflessness in fulfilling his divine purpose.
Isaiah 53:7 in other translations
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.
World English Bible
He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he didn’t open his mouth.
Douay-Rheims
He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth: he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Hee was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet did he not open his mouth: hee is brought as a sheepe to the slaughter, and as a sheepe before her shearer is dumme, so he openeth not his mouth.