This verse in Hebrew begins with a relative marker rendered As. It introduces a comparative clause (many were astonished at him) with the main clause occurring at the beginning of the next verse (“so shall he startle many nations”). These two clauses are separated by two other clauses in the last two lines of this verse. Like Revised Standard Version, many versions treat these latter clauses as parentheses. The Hebrew text actually begins the second line of this verse with the same particle rendered “so” at the beginning of verse 15. However, commentators recognize that the function of the particle rendered so in this verse is a little different from the particle at the beginning of verse 15. Here it expresses degree (so marred) This means that the lines that are placed in parenthesis in many versions actually continue the description of the servant in the opening line. They tell of his disfigured appearance before he was honored. Translators may use a parenthesis here. It is also possible to follow Good News Translation, Bible en français courant or Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch as models for a translation without parenthesis. In fact, since this is less complex, it may be preferred. Good News Translation combines the two parenthetical clauses of verse 14 into one, and uses a semicolon to separate it from the initial clause; verse 15 then begins a new sentence. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “14 Many have turned away in shock from him, so disfigured was he. He had no more similarity with humans. 15 But now….”
As many were astonished at him introduces the comparison, which says many people were horrified at the appearance of the LORD’s servant The adjective many is a keyword in Yahweh’s opening and closing speeches (occurring also in 52.15 and 53.11-12). It refers to a large number of people. Bible en français courant has “The majority [of people],” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says “the crowds.” The Hebrew verb rendered were astonished refers to a very disheartened reaction to something. It is better rendered “were horrified” (Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant), “were appalled” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “were aghast” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “were shocked” (Good News Translation). Instead of at him, the Hebrew text of Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls has “at you,” which Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends. The switch between second and third person pronouns happens often in Hebrew poetry, so translators may say “at him” for logical consistency.
His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance is literally “so disfigurement more than human [was] his appearance.” Its basic sense may be rendered by saying “he was so scarred that he did not even look like a human being anymore.” There is probably hyperbole (exaggeration) here, but the point is clearly made that the servant’s appearance caused people to reel in shock when they saw him.
And his form beyond that of the sons of men is parallel and synonymous with the previous line. Was so marred is implied here. His form refers to his outward appearance. The sons of men refers to “human beings” (see the comments on 51.12).
Good News Translation combines the last two lines of this verse, saying “he was so disfigured that he hardly looked human.” Other languages may find this helpful.
Translation examples for this verse are:
• Just as many were shocked when they saw him—
so scarred was his appearance, beyond any human likeness,
his looks beyond any human form— …
• Many people were horrified when they saw him;
he seemed unlike any human being, so marred was he,
he hardly looked at all human.
Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .