Isaiah 52:15

The Servant’s sufferings, however, would have worldwide effects; He would sprinkle "many nations."

The interpretation of the Hebrew word yazzeh, translated "sprinkle" or "startle," has led students of this verse to two different understandings of the prophet’s line of thought. If "sprinkle" is correct, Isaiah meant that even though the Servant was such an unlikely candidate as Yahweh’s representative, He would still perform the priestly function of cleansing the world of its sins (cf. Leviticus 4:6; Leviticus 8:11; Leviticus 14:7; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Hebrews 10:22).

"Men regarded the servant as himself unclean and in need of purification, whereas he himself as a priest will sprinkle water and blood and so purify many nations." [Note: Young, 3:339. Cf. Delitzsch, 2:308; Baron, pp. 64-66; and Ortlund, p. 354. See John 19:34.]

If "startle" is correct, the prophet meant that since the Servant was such an unlikely candidate as Yahweh’s representative, He would shock the world (when He made His claims and when God would exalt Him). Both meanings are possible, and both harmonize with other revelation about the Servant. Most English translations have "sprinkle," and this is probably the primary meaning. There are other priestly allusions in the following verses (Isaiah 53:6-7; Isaiah 53:10-11). I think Isaiah may have used a double entendre at this point so his readers would see both truths. Isaiah was a master of multiple allusions, as we have seen.

Another problem is why the kings would be speechless. Would it be because of His lowly appearance (Isaiah 52:14) or because of His exaltation (Isaiah 52:13)? According to the first view, even kings would be shocked at the lowly state of the Servant (cf. John 19:19). What they had not known was that Israel’s redeemer would be a humble Servant. According to the second view, even kings would be speechless at the Servant’s exaltation (cf. Isaiah 52:13). They had never heard that one who took such a lowly place could ever sit on the throne of God.

Again, since people and kings were shocked at both the Servant’s humiliation and His exaltation, it is very hard to tell what was in Isaiah’s mind. Perhaps the first view is better because the thought of Isaiah 52:15 flows directly out of Isaiah 52:14. However, the Apostle Paul applied this verse to the preaching of the gospel in virgin and largely Gentile territory, and the gospel includes both the sufferings and glory of Messiah (cf. Romans 15:21).

"Kings shall shut their mouths-both from amazement and from their inability to say anything by way of self-justification." [Note: Archer, p. 646.]

Suffering in God’s service leads to exaltation and glorification.