H5137b H5137b
sprinkle, startle — to cause to leap or to sprinkle (textually uncertain)
This verb in Isaiah's Servant Song describes the Servant's impact on many nations. Traditional interpretation reads 'sprinkle' (as in ritual cleansing), connecting this to the Servant's atoning work. Others argue for 'startle' or 'cause to leap' from a root meaning to jump. The passage is notoriously difficult, and ancient versions differ. Whether sprinkling or startling, the image conveys the Servant's transformative effect on the nations.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The Hiphil imperfect 'he will sprinkle' in Isaiah 52:15, though the meaning is hotly debated. Traditional reading connects this to ritual sprinkling (purification), with the Servant cleansing many nations. Alternative interpretation sees a root meaning 'leap, spring,' yielding 'he will startle/cause to leap'—nations will recoil in surprise at the exalted Servant. Various textual emendations have been proposed ('make tremble,' 'make many silent'), reflecting the difficulty. The context describes kings shutting their mouths in awe. 1×
AR["يَرُشُّ"]·ben["-সে-ছিটাবে"]·DE["[יזה]"]·EN["he-will-sprinkle"]·FR["[יזה]"]·heb["יזה"]·HI["छिड़केगा"]·ID["Dia-akan-memercikkan"]·IT["[יזה]"]·jav["badhé-nyiprataken"]·KO["뿌리리라"]·PT["aspergirá"]·RU["окропит"]·ES["rociará"]·SW["atawanyunyizia"]·TR["serpecek"]·urd["چھڑکے-گا"]
Related Senses
H3548 1. priest, cultic officiant (750×)G5547 1. Christ, Messiah, Anointed One (540×)H5030 1. Prophet, divine spokesperson (317×)H5930a 1. burnt offering (sacrifice) (286×)H3881 1. Levites (priestly class) (283×)G4396 1. prophet, spokesperson of God (146×)H6944 1. sanctuary, holy place (129×)G0749 1. high priest, chief priest (123×)H6944 2. holiness, sacredness (abstract quality) (123×)G5330 1. Pharisee (99×)G4336 1. pray to God (86×)H6944 3. holy things, sacred offerings (plural) (86×)H3722a 1. make ritual atonement (Piel) (85×)H6912 1. bury (Qal active) (82×)H6419 1. pray (Hitpael) (80×)H6944 4. holiness (with possessive pronoun) (77×)H6942 1. sanctify, consecrate (Piel factitive) (76×)H2930a 1. Qal: be/become unclean (75×)H7819a 1. slaughter an animal (Qal active) (72×)H1486 1. lot (object cast for decisions) (71×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
II. [נָזָה] vb. (dub.) spring, leap (cf. Arabic نَزَا leap, leap up, upon, Thes Frey Prov. Ar. 1, 171. 297; 22, 138; 25, 11);—hence, according to many, Hiph. Impf. 3 ms. כֵּן יַזֶּה גּוֹיִם רַבִּים Is 52:15 so shall he cause to leap (i.e. in joyful surprise, or = startle) many nations; but perhaps crpt.; Che Comm. יַתֵּר in like sense; יִרְגְּזוּ (for יזהגוים) many shall tremble (v. רגז), GFM JBL 1890, 216 ff. cf. Che Hpt..