Isaiah 53:12

יפגיע ס

he is impacting/hitting the target

9018

ס
None
Definition: Setumah paragraph marker
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

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9016

None
Definition: verseEnd
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

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6293

פגע
pâgaʻ
Definition: to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
Root: a primitive root;
Exhaustive: a primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity; come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, intreat, lay, light (upon), meet (together), pray, reach, run.

ו ל פשעים

and to the rebellious ones

6586

פשע
pâshaʻ
Definition: to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel
Root: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of expansion);
Exhaustive: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of expansion); to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel; offend, rebel, revolt, transgress(-ion, -or).

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9005

ל
None
Definition: to, for
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

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9002

ו
None
Definition: and
Root: None
Exhaustive: Conjunctive vav - i.e. followed by prefix, suffix or non-verb (conjunctive) (‘and/but’)

נשא

he carried/lifted

5375

נשא
nâsâʼ
Definition: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Root: or נסה; (Psalm 4:6 (H7 (אבד))), a primitive root;
Exhaustive: or נסה; (Psalm 4:6 (אבד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.

רבים

multitudes

7227a

רב
rab
Definition: abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Root: by contracted from H7231 (רבב);
Exhaustive: by contracted from רבב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).

חטא

he has missed/a miss

9014

־
None
Definition: link
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

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2399

חטא
chêṭᵉʼ
Definition: a crime or its penalty
Root: from H2398 (חטא);
Exhaustive: from חטא; a crime or its penalty; fault, [idiom] grievously, offence, (punishment of) sin.

ו הוא

and Himself

1931

הוא
hûwʼ
Definition: he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Root: of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is היא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular;
Exhaustive: of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is היא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular; he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are; he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.

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9002

ו
None
Definition: and
Root: None
Exhaustive: Conjunctive vav - i.e. followed by prefix, suffix or non-verb (conjunctive) (‘and/but’)

נמנה

we are counting/counted

4487

מנה
mânâh
Definition: properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll
Root: a primitive root;
Exhaustive: a primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll; appoint, count, number, prepare, set, tell.

פשעים

rebellious ones

6586

פשע
pâshaʻ
Definition: to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel
Root: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of expansion);
Exhaustive: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of expansion); to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel; offend, rebel, revolt, transgress(-ion, -or).

ו את

and אֵת-self eternal

9014

־
None
Definition: link
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

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854

את
ʼêth
Definition: properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.
Root: probably from H579 (אנה);
Exhaustive: probably from אנה; properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.; against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix.

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9002

ו
None
Definition: and
Root: None
Exhaustive: Conjunctive vav - i.e. followed by prefix, suffix or non-verb (conjunctive) (‘and/but’)

נפש ו

his breath/soul

9023

הו
None
Definition: his, personal posessive - noun suffix: 3rd person masculine singular
Root: None
Exhaustive: Personal posessive pronoun - suffix for nouns, adjectives and passive participles: 3rd person masculine singular

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5315

נפש
nephesh
Definition: properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
Root: from H5314 (נפש);
Exhaustive: from נפש; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.

ל מות

to die/the death

4194

מות
mâveth
Definition: death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
Root: from H4191 (מות);
Exhaustive: from מות; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).

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9005

ל
None
Definition: to, for
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

הערה

he has laid bare

6168

ערה
ʻârâh
Definition: to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish
Root: a primitive root;
Exhaustive: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish; leave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover.

אשר

who/which

834a

אשר
ʼăsher
Definition: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
Root: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
Exhaustive: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.; [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.

תחת

below

8478

תחת
tachath
Definition: the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
Root: from the same as H8430 (תוח);
Exhaustive: from the same as תוח; the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.; as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with.

שלל

he has plundered/spoil

7998

שלל
shâlâl
Definition: booty
Root: from H7997 (שלל);
Exhaustive: from שלל; booty; prey, spoil.

יחלק

he is distributing/dividing up

2505a

חלק
châlaq
Definition: to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
Root: a primitive root;
Exhaustive: a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate; deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er).

עצומים

mighty throng

6099

עצום
ʻâtsûwm
Definition: powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
Root: or עצם; passive participle of H6105 (עצם);
Exhaustive: or עצם; passive participle of עצם; powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous; [phrase] feeble, great, mighty, must, strong.

ו את

and אֵת-self eternal

9014

־
None
Definition: link
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

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854

את
ʼêth
Definition: properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.
Root: probably from H579 (אנה);
Exhaustive: probably from אנה; properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.; against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix.

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9002

ו
None
Definition: and
Root: None
Exhaustive: Conjunctive vav - i.e. followed by prefix, suffix or non-verb (conjunctive) (‘and/but’)

ב רבים

within the Multitudes

7227a

רב
rab
Definition: abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Root: by contracted from H7231 (רבב);
Exhaustive: by contracted from רבב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).

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9003

ב
None
Definition: in, by
Root: None
Exhaustive: in, at, against, on, among, with; according to, by, because of. prefix or inseparable preposition; combined with the definite article

ל ו

to himself

9033

ו
None
Definition: him, personal pronoun - verb/prep. 3rd person masculine singular
Root: None
Exhaustive: Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

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9005

ל
None
Definition: to, for
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

אחלק

I am distributing

9014

־
None
Definition: link
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

|

2505a

חלק
châlaq
Definition: to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
Root: a primitive root;
Exhaustive: a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate; deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er).

ל כן

therefore

3651c

כן
kên
Definition: properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles)
Root: from H3559 (כון);
Exhaustive: from כון; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles); [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you.

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9005

ל
None
Definition: to, for
Root: None
Exhaustive: None

RBT Hebrew Literal:

therefore I am distributing to himself within the Multitudes and אֵת-self eternal mighty throng he is distributing he has plundered/spoil below which he has laid bare to die/the death his breath/soul and אֵת-self eternal rebellious ones we are counting/counted and Himself he has missed/a miss multitudes he carried/lifted and to the rebellious ones he is impacting/hitting the target

RBT Paraphrase:

I

Therefore I am distributing to himself within the multiplied ones and self eternal mighty numbers/throngs. He is distributing spoil, under which he has laid bare the soul of himself to death. And we are counting self eternal rebellious ones.⁸ And Himself he has lifted up, the miss of multitudes, and he is assailing/confronting⁹ the rebellious ones.

והוא חטא רבים נשא"And Himself, a miss of multitudes, he has lifted up"

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
For this I will divide to him with many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; for which his soul was poured out to death, and he was numbered with transgressors; and he lifted up the sin of many, and he will supplicate for transgressors.

LITV Translation:
Because of this I will divide to Him with the great, and with the strong He shall divide the spoil; because He poured out His soul to death; and He was counted with transgressors; and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for transgressors.

ESV Translation:
Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
Therefore he shall inherit many, and he shall divide the spoils of the mighty; because his soul was delivered to death: and he was numbered among the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and was delivered because of their iniquities.

Footnotes

Isa. 53:12

We are Counting

Strong's #4487. The verb נמנה is derived from the root מנה and can be understood in several ways depending on its grammatical context and the voice in which it appears.

3rd Person Masculine Singular Niphal Perfect? In this form, נמנה is translated as "he was numbered" or "he was counted," indicating an action done to a singular masculine subject. The immediate issue with this interpretation is the presence of the direct object (self) את which is typically used with this verb when the verb is in the active (not passive) voice.

1st Person Plural Imperfect Forms (Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, Hophal): The verb נמנה can also be interpreted as "we are counting/counted." Note how the direct object marker (self) is used in conjunction with the verb in the active voice and not when in the passive in Genesis 13:16:

"And I have placed [את] your seed as dust of the Earth, which, if any man is able to count [את] the dust of the Earth, so also [no marker here] your seed is being counted [ימנה]."

(Genesis 13:16 RBT)

In Isaiah 53:12 the direct object marker את (self) is traditionally interpreted to mean "along with" or "among/beside" instead of a direct object marker. Out of its 11,000 occurances, scholars have tagged it separately as signifying "with" in the sense of "proximity" for about 800 of those occurances (cf. #854)

Where the confusion arises is when it seems like the very common Hebrew עִם im "in company with" (cf. #5973) should be used, and yet is not as seen in a classic example in Genesis 5:24 where it is thought that "Enoch walked with the Elohim" but actually:

ויתהלך חנוך את האלהים

"Enoch is walking himself [hithpael reflexive], the self-eternal [את] Mighty Ones ("Elohim"), and he is not, for mighty ones has taken his eternal self [אתוֹ]

(Genesis 5:24)

Such a verse is obviously enigmatic, paradoxical, and mysterious as written. But if scholars are good at one thing, it is how to destroy paradox and mystery, leaving a rather dry and boring text devoid of meaning.

 

Isa. 53:12

The root פגע (paga) inherently conveys a sense of direct and forceful contact, both physical and metaphorical. When applied to intercession or appeals, it emphasizes deliberate confrontation or forceful encounter rather than polite entreaty. For instance, in Genesis 23:8, the term ופגעו לי בעפרון ("confront in myself Ephron...") reflects the boldness of negotiation. Similarly, in Jeremiah 7:16, God commands Jeremiah not to confront for the people, using the Hif’il form תפגע ("do not confront in Me"), underscoring the intensity of such an approach. In Job 36:32, the participle מפגיע describes a targeted strike, reinforcing the root's connotation of intentional and impactful action (or hitting the mark). Unlike other Hebrew terms for prayer or supplication, such as פלל ("to interpose/intercede") or עתר ("to plead"), פגע highlights urgency and determination, portraying intercession as a bold, confrontational act.