Desolated

Yahweh’s Servant prospers (or “deals prudently”), and so is raised, lifted, exalted greatly (Isaiah 52:13). But that exaltation is paradoxical, surprising, since the Servant that is lifted up is mangled and marred more than any of the sons of Adam (v. 14).

The word translated as “astonished” ( shamem ) in Isaiah 52:14 most commonly means “desolated.” It’s used seven times toward the end of Leviticus 26 mostly to describe the desolation of the land that will occur if Israel breaks covenant but once (v. 32) to describe the reaction of Israel’s enemies to the desolation. Verse 32 says: “I will desolate ( shamem ) the land and your enemies that dwell there shall be desolated ( shamem ) at it.” Elsewhere, it describes the emotional reaction to the future destruction of the temple (1 Kings 9:8; 2 Chronicles 7:21) and Ezra’s reaction to widespread intermarriage with the people of the land (Ezra 9:3-4). Physical and social desolation provokes an emotional desolation.

And so with the Servant. His appearance is barely human. He is as desolated as the land after an enemy invasion, as desolated as the charred ruins of a temple. And many who look at him will feel the desolation in their souls, just as when they were astonished at the desolation of Israel herself.