Isaiah 53:2

Isa. 53:2. This verse has respect to Christ's appearance in mean and low circumstances, without outward pomp and splendor. Great outward glory is in Scripture often compared to a tree growing high and large, and flourishing in its pride, Psalms 37:35; Daniel 4:10, etc. Isaiah 10:33; Isaiah 10:34; Ezekiel 31:3; Ezekiel 31:4, etc.; Isaiah 2:13 with context, and Job 29:19; Job 29:20; and therefore Christ's being destitute of earthly glory, is [represented] by His being "a root out of a dry ground," not like a tree planted on a fat soil or by streams of water, that flourishes and grows large, and makes a great show. Christ is in Scripture often compared to a root, plant, or branch. The Jews expected such a branch as this; but, on the contrary, He is a root out of a dry ground, that grows low and spreads but little and makes no gay appearance. It was a low bush, and not a mighty tree, that was seen burning on Mount Sinai and was not consumed, which was a type of Jesus Christ. The same thing is signified by His being "without form, or comeliness, or beauty." Earthly pomp and glory of wealth, power, and magnificence is called 'comeliness' in Scripture, as Ezekiel 27:10, and so it is called 'beauty,' 2 Samuel 1:19; Isaiah 13:19; Isaiah 28:1; Ezekiel 27:3; Ezekiel 27:4; Ezekiel 27:11; Ezekiel 28:12; Ezekiel 28:17.

Addition to Isaiah 53:2. Particularly we find the pomp and magnificence of great earthly princes is compared to the stateliness and beauty of a great, tall, spreading, flourishing tree in a fruitful soil, with a multitude of waters at the root, Ezekiel 31:2-10; compare Deuteronomy 4:12; Isaiah 10:33; Psalms 37:35, and this stately flourishing appearance of such a tree, called its beauty or comeliness, Isaiah 53:3; Isaiah 53:7-9; and therefore here, when the Messiah is spoken of as being not like such a stately flourishing tree, with many waters at the root, but as a low tree or bush, and weak tender plant, and root out of a dry ground, or having no waters at the root, it is natural that we should understand that the Messiah should come without this pomp and glory of earthly princes; yea, in a state and with an appearance that should be the reverse of it.

Isa. 53:11