The Suffering Servant
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to slaughter, and like a ewe silent before its shearers, he did not open his mouth.
The Hebrew נִגַּשׂ (niggash) carries the force of being pressed hard or oppressed — a stronger word than mere "suffering" — and וְהוּא נַעֲנֶה (vehu na'aneh) means he was humbled or afflicted in response to that pressure. The double repetition of "he did not open his mouth" is preserved exactly as in the source text, as the Hebrew text itself repeats it for emphasis and the repetition must not be collapsed into a single occurrence. The feminine pronoun is avoided — rendered 'its' rather than 'her' following ESV and NIV — to prevent any confusion between the ewe in the simile and the masculine servant being described throughout the passage.
Berean Standard Bible
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
7He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
King James Version
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
7He 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.
Translation for Translators
T4T was designed as a tool for Bible translators, not as a devotional text. It makes implicit meaning explicit and flags figurative language with abbreviations. Gold [brackets] indicate translation notes. ◄Triangles► mark alternative renderings.Read more about how to read T4T →BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
7He will be abused and caused to suffer, but he will not say anything to complain. They will lead him to where they will execute him, like they lead a lamb to where it will be slaughtered. And like a sheep does not ◄T4T alternative rendering — the text between these markers is an alternative translation or explanatory expansion. Translators choose the option that best fits their target language.bleat/make any noise►T4T alternative rendering — the text between these markers is an alternative translation or explanatory expansion. Translators choose the option that best fits their target language. when the shearer cuts off its wool, he will not say anything [MTY]MetonymyOne thing represents another — for example "hand" representing power or authority. T4T makes this explicit so translators can find a natural equivalent. to defend himself when he is killed.
Berean Standard Bible
King James Version
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
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.
Berean Standard Bible
King James Version
Translation for Translators
T4T was designed as a tool for Bible translators, not as a devotional text. It makes implicit meaning explicit and flags figurative language with abbreviations. Gold [brackets] indicate translation notes. ◄Triangles► mark alternative renderings.Read more about how to read T4T →BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
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.
He will be abused and caused to suffer, but he will not say anything to complain. They will lead him to where they will execute him, like they lead a lamb to where it will be slaughtered. And like a sheep does not ◄T4T alternative rendering — the text between these markers is an alternative translation or explanatory expansion. Translators choose the option that best fits their target language.bleat/make any noise►T4T alternative rendering — the text between these markers is an alternative translation or explanatory expansion. Translators choose the option that best fits their target language. when the shearer cuts off its wool, he will not say anything [MTY]MetonymyOne thing represents another — for example "hand" representing power or authority. T4T makes this explicit so translators can find a natural equivalent. to defend himself when he is killed.
WLC
7
נִגַּ֨שׂ distress נָגַשׂ nâgas a primitive root; to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize distress, driver, exact(-or), oppress(-or), [idi וְה֣וּא he הוּא hûwʼ of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is הִיא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular; he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or with נַעֲנֶה֮ abase self עָנָה ʻânâh a primitive root (possibly rather identical with H6030 (עָנָה) through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress literally or figuratively, transitiv וְלֹ֣א ere לֹא lôʼ or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles [idiom] before יִפְתַּח appear פָּתַח pâthach a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) gr ־ פִּיו֒ word פֶּה peh from H6284 (פָּאָה); the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially ( כַּשֶּׂה֙ lamb שֶׂה seh or שֵׂי; probably from H7582 (שָׁאָה) through the idea of pushing out to graze; a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lam לַטֶּ֣בַח slaughter טֶבַח ṭebach from H2873 (טָבַח); properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter) [idiom] b יוּבָ֔ל bring יָבַל yâbal a primitive root; properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp) bring (forth), carry, lead (forth). וּכְרָחֵ֕ל ewe רָחֵל râchêl from an unused root meaning to journey; a ewe (the females being the predominant element of a flock) (as a good traveller) ewe, sheep. לִפְנֵ֥י fore פָּנִים pânîym plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from H6437 (פָּנָה)); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (lite גֹזְזֶ֖יהָ cut off גַּזָז gazâz a primitive root (akin to H1468 (גּוּז)); to cut off; specifically to shear aflock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy cut off (down), poll, sha נֶאֱלָ֑מָה bind אָלַם ʼâlam a primitive root; to tie fast; hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied bind, be dumb, put to silence. וְלֹ֥א ere לֹא lôʼ or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles [idiom] before יִפְתַּ֖ח appear פָּתַח pâthach a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) gr פִּֽיו word פֶּה peh from H6284 (פָּאָה); the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially ( ׃
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
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