לָכֵ֞ן אֲחַלֶּק־לֹ֣ו בָרַבִּ֗ים וְאֶת־עֲצוּמִים֮ יְחַלֵּ֣ק שָׁלָל֒ תַּ֗חַת אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶעֱרָ֤ה לַמָּ֨וֶת֙ נַפְשֹׁ֔ו וְאֶת־פֹּשְׁעִ֖ים נִמְנָ֑ה וְהוּא֙ חֵטְא־רַבִּ֣ים נָשָׂ֔א וְלַפֹּשְׁעִ֖ים יַפְגִּֽיעַ:
(Isaiah 53:12)
Therefore I will divide to him among the many, and with the strong he will divide spoil, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with transgressors. Yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors.
Focus on the Cohortative and Imperfect: אֲחַלֶּק and יְחַלֵּק
The verse begins with אֲחַלֶּק, a cohortative form of the root ח־ל־ק (“to divide,” “to apportion”), conveying volition or resolve — “I will apportion.” This form expresses divine intent. The verb יְחַלֵּק (same root) is a piel imperfect 3ms and shifts the focus to the Servant’s role in distributing the spoils, a poetic inversion of earlier suffering. The parallel structure בָרַבִּים… שָׁלָל emphasizes glory among the many and victory over the strong.
Syntax of Reversal: תַּ֗חַת אֲשֶׁ֨ר
The word תַּ֗חַת means “in place of” or “because,” introducing a subordinate clause of explanation or consequence. The phrase אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶעֱרָ֤ה לַמָּוֶת֙ נַפְשֹׁ֔ו means “because he poured out his soul to death,” using הֶעֱרָ֤ה, a hiphil perfect form of ע־ר־ה (“to lay bare,” “to expose”), metaphorically expressing self-sacrifice. The grammar sets up a causative relationship: exaltation follows humiliation.
Passive Inclusion: נִמְנָ֑ה
נִמְנָ֑ה is a Niphal perfect 3ms from מ־נ־ה (“to count, number”), meaning “he was counted.” The passive voice shows the Servant’s identification with sinners — he was numbered with the transgressors (אֶת־פֹּשְׁעִ֖ים). This emphasizes solidarity and substitution, essential themes in the passage.
Verb of Bearing Sin: נָשָׂ֔א
The verb נָשָׂ֔א (Qal perfect 3ms) means “he bore,” from the root נ־שׂ־א. The phrase חֵטְא־רַבִּ֣ים נָשָׂ֔א — “he bore the sin of many” — parallels the earlier phrase חֳלָיִנוּ נָשָׂא (Isaiah 53:4). In both, the servant lifts and carries the burden of others’ iniquity. The syntax marks him as a substitutionary figure.
Intercessory Verb: יַפְגִּֽיעַ
יַפְגִּֽיעַ is a hiphil imperfect 3ms of פ־ג־ע, which in this stem can mean “to intercede” or “to entreat.” With לַפֹּשְׁעִ֖ים (“for the transgressors”), the meaning is: “he intercedes for the transgressors.” This conveys action on behalf of others, underscoring the Servant’s priestly role even after death.
Parsing Table: Key Verbs in Isaiah 53:12
| Hebrew Verb | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| אֲחַלֶּק | ח־ל־ק | Piel cohortative (1cs) | Volitional: “I will divide” |
| יְחַלֵּק | ח־ל־ק | Piel imperfect (3ms) | “He will divide” — ongoing/future action |
| הֶעֱרָה | ע־ר־ה | Hiphil perfect (3ms) | “He poured out” — causative: gave up soul |
| נִמְנָה | מ־נ־ה | Niphal perfect (3ms) | “Was numbered” — passive inclusion |
| נָשָׂא | נ־שׂ־א | Qal perfect (3ms) | “He bore” — sin-bearing action |
| יַפְגִּיעַ | פ־ג־ע | Hiphil imperfect (3ms) | “He will intercede” — for transgressors |
The Grammar of Substitution and Triumph
Isaiah 53:12 weaves complex verb forms and poetic syntax to express themes of sacrifice, identification, and victory. The Servant is not just passive but volitional — he chooses to suffer, intercede, and ultimately triumph. The grammar itself tells the story: cohortatives voice divine will, causatives expose voluntary death, and passives emphasize his inclusion among the guilty. This verse demonstrates how Biblical Hebrew grammar does not merely describe action — it interprets and elevates it.
