Geyser-Fouche, Ananda B.Munengwa, Thomas More2020-01-272020-01-272019-08-13Geyser-Fouchè, A.B. & Munengwa, T.M., 2019, ‘The concept of vicarious suffering in the Old Testament’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 75(4), a5352. https://DOI.org/10.4102/hts.v75i4.5352.0259-9422 (print)2072-8050 (online)10.4102/hts.v75i4.5352http://hdl.handle.net/2263/72922This research is part of the project, ‘Second Temple Literature and Qumran’, directed by Dr Ananda Geyser-Fouche of the Department Old Testament Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria.The concept of vicarious suffering has been used to describe some form(s) of suffering in the Old Testament. The use of this concept has, however, been a source of much debate and controversy. In this article, the meaning of the concept of vicarious suffering, its presence in the Old Testament, as well as its ‘appropriateness’ and usefulness as a heuristic term in the study of the Old Testament account of suffering is discussed. Vicarious suffering is defined as ‘suffering in place of and for the benefit of others’. The study establishes that while a number of terms and practices in the Old Testament express the idea of vicariousness, the concept of vicarious suffering finds its fullest and dramatic expression in Isaiah 52:13–53:12. Therefore, the article concludes by proposing that the concept of vicarious suffering is present in the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah 52:13–53:12, and that it continues to be an appropriate and useful heuristic concept in the study of the issue of suffering in the Old Testament.en© 2019. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.SufferingVicarious sufferingDivine sufferingJust retributionIsaiah 52:13–53Old TestamentTheology articles SDG-03SDG-03: Good health and well-beingTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsThe concept of vicarious suffering in the Old TestamentArticle