Definition: He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from Isaiah 53:11. It's a really rich and symbolic verse that speaks about Jesus Christ. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is going to look deeply into Jesus’ life and understand his suffering. And because of that, He will be satisfied with him – meaning He’ll be pleased with what he does. But more importantly, this isn't just about his actions; it’s about how His knowledge of the suffering and pain He experiences will ultimately justify many people. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “He shall see of the travail of his soul…” – This is a fancy way of saying “He will be tested.” "Trabulation" means struggling, hardship, or difficulty. The "soul" refers to Jesus’ spirit and inner life. “[and] shall be satisfied: ” – This means God is pleased with what He does, even though it's difficult. It suggests a sense of contentment and approval. “By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” - This is the core of the verse. "Righteous servant" means someone who is just and morally good. "Iniquities" refers to wrongs, sins, or things that are bad. Jesus, as a perfect example of righteousness, will be burdened with understanding these wrongdoings. He’ll justify them – meaning he’ll find a way to make them right – for many people. So, what does it all mean? It's essentially saying that Jesus is going to face immense suffering and hardship. But because He knows exactly what He’s going through, and understands the seriousness of these problems, God will be satisfied with Him. And because of this understanding, His actions and sacrifice will ultimately benefit many people who are struggling with sin and wrongdoing. Think of it like this: Imagine a skilled craftsman making something beautiful. They might face challenges and setbacks during their work – they're experiencing the "trabulation" of their soul. But by understanding what they’re doing, and the effort involved, God is pleased with the final result. Jesus is being “satisfied” in a similar way. Important Note: This verse often gets misinterpreted as suggesting that Jesus caused all the suffering. It's more about His profound knowledge of it and how that understanding leads to a greater good. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or biblical figure? Give you a different perspective on the meaning of this passage?