He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes not just the silence of the suffering servant, but the voluntary nature of his affliction, likening it to a lamb led to slaughter and a sheep before shearers. This highlights that his suffering wasn't forced upon him but was a willing submission to bear our iniquities.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage continues the powerful description of the "Suffering Servant" who bears the sins of humanity. Following the acknowledgment that everyone has gone astray like sheep, the prophet emphasizes the Servant's vicarious suffering, detailing how he is afflicted not for his own wrongdoing, but as a substitute for the transgressions of others. The verse that follows highlights his subsequent fate—being taken from prison and judgment—underscoring the unjust and premature nature of his death.
Why would someone endure immense suffering without a word of complaint? This verse reveals a profound depth of silent acceptance.
The verse describes the suffering servant as "oppressed" and "afflicted." This wasn't a minor inconvenience; the Hebrew words speak of being driven, burdened, and severely pained. Yet, in the midst of this, he "opened not his mouth."
This silence is remarkable because:
This profound silence points to a deliberate choice to bear the weight of suffering without protest.
The imagery of a lamb and a sheep is powerful. What does this comparison reveal about the nature and purpose of his suffering?
Isaiah uses two powerful metaphors: "like a lamb that is led to the slaughter" and "like a sheep that before its shearers is silent."
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The Lamb to Slaughter: This evokes innocence, purity, and a voluntary offering. A lamb was a common sacrifice in ancient Israel, representing the appeasement of sin. The servant is not fighting back; he is presented for a purpose – to be sacrificed.
The Sheep Before Shearers: This highlights a passive, quiet endurance. Shearing was a loss of covering, a stripping away. The sheep doesn't protest; it endures the process. This parallels the servant's willingness to be stripped of dignity, comfort, and life.
Together, these images paint a picture of a perfect, innocent sacrifice, willingly laid down, not out of weakness, but as a deliberate act to bring about redemption.
Understand the original words
śeh · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a sacrificial animal brought to the altar to atone for sin, symbolizing innocence, submission, and the substitutionary death required to appease God’s justice.
This passage directly quotes Isaiah's description of Christ's silence when reviled, applying it to Jesus' own example of patient suffering.
Matthew 27:12-14This Gospel account shows Jesus remaining silent before Pilate, despite accusations, mirroring the silent suffering described in Isaiah.
Philippians 2:5-8This New Testament passage speaks of Christ's humility and self-emptying, which included his willingness to suffer and die without resistance, echoing the sheep led to slaughter.
Jeremiah 11:19Jeremiah uses a similar image of himself as a lamb brought to slaughter to describe his own suffering, providing a prophetic parallel to Isaiah's depiction.
barnesIsaiah 53:7: "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 was oppressed - (נגשׂ niggas'). Lowth renders this, 'It was exacted.' Hengstenberg, 'He was abased.' Jerome (the Vulgate), 'He was offered because he was willing.' The Septuagint 'He, on account of his affliction, opened not his mouth,' implying that his silence arose from the extremity of his s…
wesleyIsaiah 53:7: "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."
53:7 He opened not - He neither murmured against God, nor reviled men.
The verse emphasizes not just the silence of the suffering servant, but the voluntary nature of his affliction, likening it to a lamb led to slaughter and a sheep before shearers. This highlights that his suffering wasn't forced upon him but was a willing submission to bear our iniquities.
This passage continues the powerful description of the "Suffering Servant" who bears the sins of humanity. Following the acknowledgment that everyone has gone astray like sheep, the prophet emphasizes the Servant's vicarious suffering, detailing how he is afflicted not for his own wrongdoing, but as a substitute for the transgressions of others. The verse that follows highlights his subsequent fate—being taken from prison and judgment—underscoring the unjust and premature nature of his death.
This passage continues the powerful description of the "Suffering Servant" who bears the sins of humanity. Following the acknowledgment that everyone has gone astray like sheep, the prophet emphasizes the Servant's vicarious suffering, detailing how he is afflicted not for his own wrongdoing, but as a substitute for the transgressions of others. The verse that follows highlights his subsequent fate—being taken from prison and judgment—underscoring the unjust and premature nature of his death.
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." — The verse emphasizes not just the silence of the suffering servant, but the voluntary nature of his affliction, likening it to a lamb led to slaughter and a sheep before shearers. This highlights…
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Last reviewed October 2026