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| Jacob's Ladder |
מֵֽעֲמַ֚ל נַפְשׁוֹ֙ יִרְאֶ֣ה יִשְׂבָּ֔ע בְּדַעְתּ֗וֹ יַצְדִּ֥יק צַדִּ֛יק עַבְדִּ֖י לָֽרַבִּ֑ים וַֽעֲוֹנֹתָ֖ם ה֥וּא יִסְבֹּֽל
Isaiah 53.11 - From the toil of his soul he would see, he would be satisfied; with his knowledge My servant would vindicate the just for many, and their iniquities he would bear.
This post is inspired and motivated by a sermon I heard about Isaiah 53 this morning. The teacher was looking to the Hebrew for an understanding of the word "knowledge" in verse 53.11. I hope this helps.
In Isaiah 53 (the "Suffering Servant") the type of knowledge being referred to in 53.11 is an intimate, experiential, and redemptive knowledge. It is more than intellectual understanding; it is an active, relational knowing.
In Isaiah 53:11, the Hebrew word for "knowledge" is בְּדַעְתּ֗וֹ. This comes from the root word דַּעַת (daʿaṯ).
Da'at (דַּעַת), related to "yada," is a true divine knowledge that implies a union and internalization of divine wisdom and understanding, connecting the mystical experience of God with an internal transformative knowing.
I will mention some other Hebrew words related to knowledge:
Chokhmah (חָכְמָה) meaning “wisdom,” refers to the skill, ability, or practical insight often linked to understanding how to live or act morally and effectively. It is more about applied knowledge or understanding.
Binah (בִּינָה) meaning “understanding,” relates to discernment or the ability to distinguish and make wise decisions. Binah can be likened to gifts of the "Holy Spirit" in Christianity
The Hebrew word often associated with the highest level of consciousness or spiritual awareness is "Keter" (כֶּתֶר), which means "Crown." Keter is the highest of the ten sefirot (vessels) on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life (Jacob’s Ladder) and represents the supreme, transcendent level of divine will and consciousness. It symbolizes the purest form of divine consciousness, the source from which all divine wisdom and knowledge flow.
What do the ancient hebrew letters show us? According to the ancient mystical text Sefer Yetzirah ("The Book of Creation"), God created the universe by combining, weighing, and interchanging the 22 Hebrew letters along with the ten sefirot, which are divine attributes or numbers. These letters are not just symbols but are considered creative forces or spiritual building blocks of the cosmos.
Dalet (ד): Means “door” or “gateway.” It symbolizes a passage, humility, and the transition between states. Dalet suggests that knowledge is an entry point to greater understanding or spiritual realms. Its form resembles an open tent flap or a doorway, inviting movement into deeper wisdom. Dalet also connotes humility and self-nullification—the openness needed to receive.
Ayin (ע): Means “eye,” representing sight, perception, and insight. Ayin implies that true knowledge involves seeing beyond the surface, gaining spiritual vision. Ayin is the channel for divine illumination and understanding.
Tav (ת): (The ancient letter is shaped like a cross. It looks like two sticks put together.) Tav means “mark” or “sign.” As the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Tav represents completion, truth, and the sealing of revelation. It implies that real knowledge includes the fullness and completion of understanding, integrating learning into a lived truth.
Combined, the letters suggest that Da'at is knowledge acquired by humble openness (Dalet), deep spiritual perception (Ayin), and integration or completion of understanding (Tav). It is an active, relational process—entering through the doorway with humility, perceiving by spiritual sight, and arriving at truthful completion.
Here are some scripture verses using Da'at and Yada:
Da’at, (דעת) is the type of knowledge God wants us to seek with His guidance. Da'at is the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:9).
Proverbs 18:15 tells us that "an intelligent heart acquires knowledge [da’at], and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge [da’at]."
Psalm 139:1-6:
YHWH, You have searched me and known me. You know [ya’da’ta] when I sit down and when I get up; You understand my thought from far away.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, YHWH, You know it all [ya’da’ta kullah].
You have encircled me behind and in front, and placed Your hand upon me. Such knowledge [da’at] is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot comprehend it.
Hosea 4:6 - Hosea had a warning for us about knowledge (da'at):
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [ha-da’at]. Since you have rejected knowledge [ha-da’at], I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the Law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Hosea 6:1-3 encourages us:
“Come, let’s return to YHWH. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him. So let’s learn, let’s press on to know [la-da’at] YHWH!”
Hosea 6:6:
For I desire loyalty rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God [w-da’at Elohim] rather than burnt offerings.
Incidentally, the word "Judah" (יהודה), where we get the term "Jew," is derived from yada, and points to the tribe from which the Messiah comes, underscoring the spiritual significance of knowing and knowledge.
Isaiah’s knowledge encompasses the relational depth of yada alongside the profound cognitive and revelatory dimension of da'at, empowered by the Spirit of God for Isaiah’s prophetic mission.
Isaiah’s possessed a multi-layered spiritual awareness involving wisdom (Chokhmah) and understanding (Binah) leading to transformative messages for Israel and the world.
Epilogue:
The Hebrew phrase "Ein Sof" means "without end" or "infinite" and refers to the unknowable, boundless aspect of God. It is above the Keter on the Tree of Life/Jacob’s Ladder. It is also called "The Creator." The gematria (numerical value) Ein Sof (אין סוף) is 207 (Aleph א = 1 + Yud י = 10 + Nun נ = 5 + Samekh ס = 60 + Vav ו = 6 and Pei ף = 80).
God is often referred to as pure light, The gematria of the Hebrew word for light, "Ohr" (אוֹר), is also 207. The word is composed of three letters: Aleph (א) with a value of 1, Vav (ו) with a value of 6, and Resh (ר) with a value of 200, which sum to 1 + 6 + 200 = 207. This numerical value connects to other significant concepts in Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah, such as the word for "mystery" (raz), "Shabbat" (Sabbath), and the "infinite" (Ein Sof).
Therefore, Ein Sof = Or
I like to say, 1+2 gives you 3. (Echad)