Isaiah 52:15

so shall he sprinkle many nations The verb rendered "sprinkle" means elsewhere to "scatter (a liquid) in small drops," and its usage is confined to the ceremonial act illustrated by Leviticus 4:6; Numbers 19:18 f. etc. This is the sense intended by the A.V. and the ancient authorities (Aquila, Theodotion, Vulg.) which it follows; the antithesis suggested being that as the Servant had been shunned by many as unclean, so he shall (metaphorically) "sprinkle" them, i.e. make them clean. But this interpretation imports into the passage ideas which are not expressed, and is besides inadmissible on grammatical grounds; i.e. the verb always means to sprinkle(a liquid), not to besprinkle(a person or thing). The only rendering at all compatible with the ceremonial use of the word would be that of the Targ.: "so shall he scatter many nations," where the nations are actually, by a most unnatural metaphor, compared to spirting drops of water. To reach a satisfactory sense it is only necessary to assume that the Hebrew verb had a wider range of meaning than is represented in the O.T. It might be causative of a verb (found in Arabic) meaning to "spring" or "leap," just as the English "sprinkle" is perhaps etymologically the causative of "spring." We may thus render with R.V. marg. so will he startle many nations, i.e. "cause them to spring" in surprise, or (better) "cause them to rise up suddenly" in reverential admiration. Cf. ch. Isaiah 49:7 and Job 29:8 ("The aged arose and stood up"). Most modern writers agree in this explanation, although some have recourse to emendation of the text. The LXX. expresses the same general idea (θαυμάσονται ἔθνη πολλά, "many nations shall marvel").

kings shall shut their mouths because of him(R.V. marg.)] Comp. again Job's touching description of the respect paid to him in the days of his prosperity: "The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth" (Isaiah 29:9 f.). The art. before "kings" should be omitted (as in R.V.).

forthat which had not been told them &c.] The meaning is either that the exaltation of the Servant is an event of which they had received no announcement beforehand, or that it is one the like of which had never been known. If the reference be to the coming elevation of Israel, either sense would be suitable; if on the other hand the resurrection of an individual be predicted, the second would be more appropriate.