The Crazy Greek Version of Isaiah 53

The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, has always challenged scholars. Making sense of the choices the ancient Greek translators made is difficult—to say the least. (So props to Septuagint scholars.) Isaiah 53:10–12 is no exception. Check out my translation. This is the translation in my book, The Resurrected Servant in Isaiah.

10 And [the] Lord desires to cleanse him from the blow. If you give concerning sin, your life will see a long-lived offspring. And [the] Lord wishes to take away 11 from the toil1 of his life,2 to show him light and form3 the understanding,4 to justify a righteous one [who is] serving many well, and he himself shall carry their sins.

12 Therefore, he shall inherit many,5 and he shall divide the spoils of the strong, because his life was given over to death; and he was counted among the lawless ones, and he carried the sins of many, and he was given over because of their sins.

Notes:
1 May also be translated as “toil” or “business.”
2 May also be translated as “life.”
3 May also be translated as “mold” or “fill.”
4 May also be translated as “faculty of comprehension” or “intelligence.”
5 May also be translated “he shall cause many to inherit.”

The link to The Resurrected Servant in Isaiah is an affiliate link, which means I will receive a small amount if you purchase something after clicking on it. Also, since I’m the author of the book, I will receive a royalty if you purchase it.