What Does Isaiah 52:15 Mean in the King James?
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
What was never reported becomes visible to the nations, and its sight closes the mouths of kings.
THE MEANING
This verse speaks to the moment when what no one has explained to you becomes visible, then begins to make sense. Even those whose words carry power fall silent before it; seeing and discerning are distinct moments, and both are present here.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that you cannot recognize what is true unless someone has first named and explained it for you.
THE ROOT
הִתְבּוֹנָנוּ
hitbonenu
GROWS FROM
בין
bin
To distinguish and discern; the same root is associated with what lies between things.
“consider” in this verse is hitbonenu. The verse says that those who had not heard begin to discern. The Hebrew root links understanding with seeing distinctions and what lies between, so this is more than receiving missing information: what was beyond report becomes intelligible.
ALSO GROWS
bein: Between; in the interval separating things.
בֵּין
It exposes the root image beneath discernment: understanding involves perceiving distinctions and relations.
binah: Understanding; discernment.
בִּינָה
This noun names the inward perception the verse describes emerging in those who had not heard.
יַזֶּה
yazzeh
GROWS FROM
נזה
nazah
To spatter or sprinkle; in this form, to cause something to be sprinkled.
“sprinkle” in this verse is yazzeh. The verse pictures the nations as recipients of an act that reaches them, not merely as spectators. Elsewhere this verb is used in rites of cleansing, giving the image of sprinkling a purification resonance.
ALSO GROWS
hizzah: He sprinkled.
הִזָּה
This form shows the same root as an action applied to someone or something.
mazzeh: One who sprinkles.
מַזֶּה
This form names the agent carrying out the action pictured in the verse.
THE PATTERN
What lies beyond prior report can become visible and intelligible, overturning the limits of inherited expectation.
Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.THE THREAD
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.Isaiah’s יַזֶּה comes from נזה, the same verb family used here for sprinkling someone who is to be cleansed. That gives the image of nations being sprinkled a purification resonance; the following lines show sight and discernment opening.
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