Isaiah 50 — Dead Sea Scrolls
11 verses • 4 variants • Column XLI of 1QIsaiah-a
Scroll Overview
Summary
Isaiah 50 contains the Third Servant Song (vv. 4-9), where the servant describes his obedience and suffering: 'I gave my back to those who struck me.' A short but intense chapter of 11 verses in column XLI. The servant's willing submission to suffering is a key bridge to the Fourth Servant Song in chapters 52-53.
Notable Variants
Verse 4: the scroll reads 'the tongue of those who are taught' identically. Verse 6: 'I gave my back to those who struck me' — identical in both traditions. Verse 9: a minor variant in the demonstrative pronoun. The Third Servant Song is remarkably stable across both traditions.
Scroll Condition
Well preserved. Column XLI is fully legible.
This is what the LORD says: 'Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.'
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 16
Why, when I came, was there no one? When I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand too short to ransom? Have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea; I make rivers a desert. Their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.
Masoretic (WLC)
מִכֶּם
among you
Dead Sea Scroll
מכמה
among you
1QIsaiah-a uses a fuller form. Same meaning.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 17
I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 18
The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning He awakens — He awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
Masoretic (WLC)
לְשׁוֹן לִמּוּדִים
the tongue of those who are taught
Dead Sea Scroll
לשון למודים
the tongue of those who are taught
Identical consonantal reading. The servant declares that God gave him 'the tongue of those who are taught' (leshon limmudim) — the gift of prophetic speech. Both texts agree.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 19
The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn backward.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 20
I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard. I did not hide my face from disgrace and spitting.
Masoretic (WLC)
גֵּוִי
my back
Dead Sea Scroll
גוי
my back
Identical consonantal text. 'I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard.' This verse, central to Christian interpretation of the Passion, is identical in the oldest scroll and the medieval MT.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 21
But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 22
He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my accuser? Let him come near to me.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 23
Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment; the moth will consume them.
Masoretic (WLC)
הֵן
behold
Dead Sea Scroll
הנה
behold
1QIsaiah-a reads hinneh ('behold,' fuller form) where the MT reads hen (shorter form). Both mean the same thing. 'Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty?' The servant's confidence in divine vindication is the same in both.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 24
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 25
Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who arm yourselves with firebrands — walk by the light of your fire and among the sparks you have kindled! This you shall have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XLI, line 26