Isaías 42

Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible

Isaías 42

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This is the first of the special poems addressed to or about YHWH's Servant. Isa. 42:1-4 or 42:1-7 or 42:1-9 Isa. 49:1-6 or 49:1-7 or 49:1-13 Isa. 50:4-9 or 50:4-11 Isa. 52:13-53:12 Exactly where the first three stop is debatable. The Servant has both a corporate (i.e. Israel) and individual (i.e. the Messiah) orientation. Only context and/or description of the Servant's actions can differentiate the two. In a theological sense the Messiah is the "ideal Israelite" or "the Priest" of the kingdom of priests (see the NT book of Hebrews). The Aramaic translations and commentaries called the Targums assert that the Servant is the Messiah. He will be an individual Israelite accomplishing YHWH's will for the nation and the world. As Cyrus II was an instrument in the hand of YHWH for a new exodus/deliverance (i.e. return from exile), so too, will the Messiah bring a spiritual exodus or return from the alienation of the Fall (Genesis 3). He will restore the damaged image of God in mankind and allow for the intimate fellowship of Eden to be restored! The Messiah (cf. Luke 2:32) will be a light to the world that Israel was meant to be (cf. Isa. 42:6; 51:4; 60:1,3). Light is imagery for spiritual deliverance (cf. Isa. 49:6). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN SPECIAL TOPIC: EDEN

Isaías 42:1-4

42:1 "Behold" These two "beholds" (BDB 243), found in Isa. 41:29 and 42:1, contrast the lifeless idols of the nations with YHWH's activity, God's choice versus the nation's choice (cf. Isa. 41:29). As in chapter 40, the question is asked "to whom is YHWH speaking?" It could be the prophet the heavenly council (see note at Gen. 1:26; see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVENLY COUNCIL OF ANGELIC BEINGS) just a literary technique for YHWH to express His thoughts to His covenant people ▣ "My Servant" This was a title of respect and calling (BDB 713). It was used in a collective sense the Patriarchs as a group ‒ Deut. 9:27 the prophets ‒ 2 Kgs. 9:7; 17:13; Ezra 9:11; Jer. 7:25; 26:5; 29:19; 35:15; 44:4 Israel ‒ Ps. 105:6; 136:22; Isa. 41:8-9; 42:18-19; 44:1,2,21; 45:4; 48:20; 49:3; Jer. 30:10; 46:27,28 the Septuagint adds a phrase to Isa. 42:1, which makes it refer to national Israel ("Jacob is my servant, I will help him; Israel is my chosen") It was used in an individual sense Abraham ‒ Gen. 26:24; Ps. 105:6 Job ‒ Job 1:8; 2:3; 42:7,8 Isaac ‒ Gen. 24:14 Jacob ‒ 1 Chr. 16:13; Ps. 105:6; Ezek. 28:25 Moses ‒ Exod. 14:31; Num. 12:7-8; Deut. 34:5; Josh. 1:1-2,7,13,15 Joshua ‒ Josh. 24:29; Jdg. 2:8 Caleb ‒ Num 14:24 David ‒ Ezek. 37:25 Zerubbabel ‒ Hag. 2:23 Solomon ‒ 1 Kgs. 3:8 Isaiah ‒ Isa. 20:3; 44:26 Jesus ‒ Matt. 12:15-21 quotes Isa. 42:1-4 SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT ▣ "whom I" Notice the things YHWH has done and will do for His special servant. whom I uphold, Isa. 42:1 in whom My soul delights, Isa. 42:1 I have put My Spirit upon Him, Isa. 42:1 SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY ▣ "He will. . ." Notice the things the Servant (the seed of David, the Messiah) will do (series of IMPERFECT VERBS). bring forth justice to the nations (i.e. universal implication, cf. Isa. 42:1; 4b,c) will not cry out, Isa. 42:2 will not raise His voice, Isa. 42:2 will not make His voice heard in the street, Isa. 42:2 will not break a bruised reed, Isa. 42:3 will not extinguish a dimly burning wick, Isa. 42:3 will faithfully bring forth justice, Isa. 42:3 will not be disheartened, Isa. 42:4 will not be crushed, Isa. 42:4 will establish justice in the earth, Isa. 42:4 ▣ "My chosen one" This term (BDB 103, KB 119) denotes YHWH's choice of people, places, groups to serve Him. corporate choices the seed of the Patriarchs ‒ Deut. 4:37; 10:15 Israel ‒ Deut. 7:7; Ps. 135:4; Isa. 44:1; Ezek. 20:5 the people ‒ 1 Kgs. 3:8 the tribe of Judah ‒ 1 Chr. 28:4; Ps. 78:68 Levites ‒ 1 Chr. 15:2; 2 Chr. 29:11 individuals Abraham ‒ Neh. 9:7 Jacob ‒ Ps. 135:4 Aaron ‒ Num. 16:5; 17:5; Ps. 105:26 David ‒ 1 Sam. 10:24; 16:8,9,10; Ps. 78:70 Solomon ‒ 1 Chr. 29:1 Zerubabbel ‒ Hag. 2:23 places (i.e. temple) ‒ Deut. 12:5,11,14,18,21,26; 14:23,24,25 SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US ▣ "My soul delights" This is similar to the title used by the Father for Jesus, "My Beloved" (cf. Matt. 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35). SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH ▣ "I have put My Spirit upon Him" This refers to the Servant being anointed and equipped for a task (cf. Isa. 11:2; 59:21; 61:1). SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT ▣ "He will bring forth justice" See SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDGE, JUDGMENT, JUSTICE and SPECIAL TOPIC: JUSTICE. ▣ "to the nations" Notice the universal implications of this phrase and Isa. 42:4b and c, 6c and d, 10-12! Of all the prophets of Israel, it is Isaiah who saw the inclusion of the Gentiles in YHWH's future kingdom most clearly! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 42:2 "He will not cry out or raise His voice" This is either linked with Isa. 53:7, which refers to Jesus' trial a description of His quiet style of ministry a reference to a prayer for help which the Servant does not need (cf. Isa. 65:14) The etymology of this term strongly favors #3. 42:3 "A bruised reed. . .a dimly burning wick" This describes a ministry of compassion, understanding, and patience to those who have somehow been wounded and stressed (cf. Isa. 57:15). ▣ NASB, NRSV, NJB "faithfully" NKJV, LXX "truth" "the true way" "unfailingly" "truly" "on every race" This is the common Hebrew root אמן (BDB 52), which means confirm, support, secure. Here used of the Messiah's voice (v. 2). The UBS Text Project, p. 108, gives an "A" rating to "for truth" and not "for nations" (cf. NEB). SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT 42:4 ". . .Until. . ." This seems to imply that a "crushing" (i.e. Isa. 52:13-53:12) will take place but at an appointed time (cf. Dan. 9:24-27). ▣ "in the earth. . .the coastlands" These are in a parallel relationship and, therefore, are synonymous. This again is a reference to Gentile nations. See note at Isa. 41:1,5. For "earth" (erets, BDB 75) see SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH.

Isaías 42:5-9

42:5-9 This section is very similar to Isa. 40:12-17, which emphasizes YHWH as Creator and Sovereign over all physical creation and over His covenant people. Notice God's acts in creation (v. 5, cf. Isa. 44:24). created the heavens and earth, BDB 135, KB 153, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEAVENS stretched them out, BDB 639, KB 692, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE CIRCLE OF THE EARTH spread out the earth, BDB 955, KB. 1291, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE; parallel to #2 spread out its vegetation, BDB 838 (lit. "what comes from it") created humans gave breath ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT gave spirit ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE, I. 42:5 "God the Lord" These are two names for Israel's Deity (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, A., D.). El ‒ the general name for deity in the ANE (BDB 42). Here it has the DEFINITE ARTICLE and, therefore, refers to Israel's God, Elohim, and YHWH YHWH ‒ the covenant name for Deity from the VERB "to be" (BDB 217) ▣ "created" This VERB (BDB 135, KB 153, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) is used almost exclusively of God's (i.e. Elohim) creating (cf. Gen. 1:1). ▣ "the heavens" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN ▣ "offspring" NKJV, NRSV "that which comes from it" "all that lives there" "what comes from it" "what it brings forth" "everything that grows in it" LXX, Peshitta "all that is in it" The term (KB 993) has two orientations. plants ‒ Job 31:8; Isa. 34:1; 42:5 humans (imagery of descendants) ‒ Job 5:25; 21:8; 27:14; Isa. 22:24; 44:3; 48:19; 61:9; 65:23 Notice the series of "Who's" created the heavens stretched them out (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CIRCLE OF THE EARTH) spread out the earth (see SPECIAL TOPIC: WORLD [several terms], I. A.) spread out its offspring gives "breath" (nephesh, BDB 675) to the people on it (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH) gives "spirit" (ruah, BDB 924) to those who walk in it (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT) If this text is meant to form a chain like Genesis 1, then plants are the probable meanings. If they are synonymous parallelism, then people are the focus. Life, not just matter, is from YHWH. He is the ever-living, only-living God! 42:6-7 These verses describe what YHWH is doing for His covenant people. He chose them for the purpose of saving all mankind trapped in darkness (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). called (BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal PARTICIPLE) them in righteousness (all the VERBS in v. 6 start with א, a sound play) held them by the hand (BDB 304, KB 302, Hiphil JUSSIVE but functioning as another IMPERFECT) watched over them (BDB 665, KB 718, Qal IMPERFECT) watch, guard, keep ‒ BDB 665, KB 718, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Isa. 27:3; 49:8 (NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NET) form, fashion ‒ BDB 427, cf. Isa. 41:25; 44:12 (NJB, REB, JPSOA) strengthen ‒ Pesitta, LXX appointed them as a covenant people (BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERFECT; NET, "make you a covenant mediator for people") as a light to the nations (cf. Isa. 49:6; 51:4; 60:1-3; Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47; 26:23, see full note at Isa. 45:22) to open blind eyes (this may be parallel imagery for prisoners being freed from a dark dungeon, cf. Isa. 61:1) to bring out prisoners (i.e. spiritual slaves of sin) Abraham's seed was both a kingdom of priests (PLURAL) a King/Priest (SINGULAR, Messiah, cf. Psalm 110) who came to deliver the world from the darkness and prison of sin (Genesis 3). There is some doubt about the Hebrew root of #3 above protect (נצר BDB 665) ‒ NASB, NKJV, NRSV form (יצר BDB 427) ‒ NJB, JPSOA, REB Notice what the Messiah/Servant will accomplish. government in righteousness (cf. Isa. 9:6-7; 11:3-4) worldwide reign (cf. Isa. 45:22; 49:6; 52:10; Micah 5:4) open blind eyes (cf. Isa. 29:18; 32:3; 35:5) release prisoners (cf. Isa. 61:1) 42:8 "I am the Lord, that is My name" This is the covenant name of God. SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH, D. ▣ "My glory" "Glory" is a difficult term (BDB 458) to define. in Isa. 6:3 it fills the whole earth in Isa. 40:5 it will be revealed to the whole earth in a sense it represents YHWH's personal presence in the NT YHWH's glory is fully revealed in the person of the Messiah, Jesus (cf. John 1:14; 11:4,40; 17:4) SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (kabod, OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (doxa, NT) ▣ "I will not give My glory to another" See Isa. 40:18-26, which speaks of YHWH's reality vs. the idols' non-reality. 42:9-10 "new things. . .new song" The term "new" (BDB 294) is a recurrent theme in Isa. 43:19; 48:6; 62:2; 65:17; 66:22 and also in the NT book of the Revelation (see my new exegetical, verse-by-verse Partial Preterist commentary on the book of Revelation online). See full note at Isa. 62:2. SPECIAL TOPIC: OLD THINGS. . .NEW THINGS 42:9 "Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you" This also goes back to 40:18-26, where YHWH asks the idols to make a prediction to show their reality and they could not, but YHWH can! He is Lord of time and space. There is divine purpose and planning in human history.

Isaías 42:10-13

42:10-17 The Jewish Study Bible, p. 867, thinks these verses are a concluding hymn to the Lord's words to His Servent, Judah. 42:10-13 These verses parallel the universal emphasis of the "Coastlands" of Isa. 41:1. The Gentiles eagerly wait for light (i.e. Isa. 2:2-4; 40:4,5,6; 49:6). For those who seek light, YHWH is a refuge and help (Isa. 42:6-7), but for those who cling to idols He is a warrior (Isa. 42:13)! SPECIAL TOPIC: "LIGHT" ▣ There are several commands in these verses. "sing" ‒ BDB 1010, KB 1479, Qal IMPERATIVE, Isa. 42:10 "lift up their voices" ‒ BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, Isa. 42:11 "sing aloud" ‒ BDB 943, KB 1247, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, Isa. 42:11 "shout for joy" ‒ BDB 846, KB 1011, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, Isa. 42:11 "give glory" - BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, Isa. 42:12 "declare" ‒ BDB 619, KB 665, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, Isa. 42:12 42:10 The last two lines of Isa. 42:10 refer to the same group as "coastlands" of Isa. 41:1 (cf. Isa. 42:12b). you who go down to the sea you islands 42:11 "Kedar" This (BDB 871) possibly refers to the Arab nations. The Hebrew root can refer to nomadic Arabian tribes ‒ Isa. 21:16; 42:11; 60:7; Jer. 2:10; 49:28; Ezek. 27:21 descendants of Ishmael ‒ Gen. 25:13; 1 Chr. 1:29 ▣ "Sela" This means "Rock" (BDB 709). This possibly refers to Petra, the capital of Edom (BDB 701, cf. Isa. 16:1). ▣ "sing aloud. . .shout for joy" What are they rejoicing about? The glory of YHWH has come to them (Isa. 42:12a). The light has come to the nations (Isa. 42:6d). That light is the covenant people and their knowledge of YHWH! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 42:13 This describes in military terms the Lord's attack (i.e. YHWH as Divine Warrior) against the idolatrous nations that oppose His will and His people's return. He will go forth like a warrior He will arouse His zeal like a man of war He will utter a shout He will raise a war cry He will prevail against His enemies (i.e. idolaters, cf. Isa. 42:17) The term "zeal" (BDB 888) is also used in Isa. 9:7; 26:11; 37:32; 59:17 to show YHWH's purposeful actions that assure victory! SPECIAL TOPIC: JEALOUSY, ZEALOUS

Isaías 42:14-17

42:14 This possibly refers to the exilic period. YHWH endured the exile of His covenant people with deep emotions. I have kept silent for a long time (unusual usage of 'olam) I have kept still and restrained Myself I waited in anguish like a woman in labor a groan (BDB 821, KB 949) a gasp (BDB 983, KB 1375) a pant (BDB 675, KB 730) YHWH chooses a feminine image to describe Himself. This is not the only place He does this (cf. Isa. 66:12-13). Remember, God is an eternal Spirit present throughout time and space. He uses human vocabulary to communicate with His highest creation, mankind made in His image. He is neither male nor female, but incorporates the best of each in Himself. The only part of the Trinity that has had a body is Jesus, the Son. Please listen to my audio sermon entitled, "The Femininity of God," second green box on my homepage, #111. SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE USED TO DESCRIBE GOD 42:15-16 YHWH describes His aid for the returning covenant people. v. 15 is imagery of preparing a smooth and level highway for the return (also Isa. 42:16d) v. 16a-c describes His care for the returnees v. 16e-f describes YHWH's sure commitment to act (two Qal PERFECTS) SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY 42:15 NASB, NKJV "coastlands" NRSV, JPSOA, LXX, Peshitta "islands" TEV, JPSOA emendation "deserts" "firm ground" "desert wastes" The MT has "coastlands" (BDB 15 I, cf. Isa. 11:11; 24:15; 41:1,15; 42:4,10,15; 49:1; 51:5; 59:18; 60:9; 66:19; Jer. 31:10), sometimes translated "islands" (i.e. Isa. 40:15). It is an idiom for Gentile nations (cf. Zeph. 2:11). See note at v. 4. Here, it denotes YHWH leading His people back to Canaan by destroying the nations who oppose Him (i.e. vv. 13-17). 42:17 This continues YHWH's rejection and condemnation of idolatry (i.e. Isa. 1:28-31; 44:9-11; 45:16). The term "shame" (DB 102) is intensified by joining it to its VERB form (BDB 101, KB 116, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Isa. 44:9,11). ▣ "shame" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME

Isaías 42:18-22

42:18-22 This strophe describes the covenant people. The shock is that they too had become idolaters! Yet they were even more responsible for their spiritual condition because they had the Patriarchs the covenants the promises (cf. Rom. 9:4-5) The ones who were to bring light to the nations in darkness had themselves become darkness! They epitomized the curse of Isa. 6:9-10, but there was hope in Isa. 35:5! 42:18 Note the two IMPERATIVES hear ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE look ‒ BDB 613, KB 661, Hiphil IMPERATIVE ▣ "deaf. . .blind" These words occur several times in this context and are an allusion to Isa. 6:9-10. 42:19 Notice the parallel between the titles "My Servant," line 1 "My messenger," line 2 "the servant of the Lord" in line 4 also notice the threefold repetition of "blind" (BDB 734). The irony is that the "blind" one is described as: ▣ "he that is at peace with Me" "he who is perfect" "my dedicated one" "the chosen one" "the one who has trust" "the ruler" "My covenant partner" The Hebrew word שׁלם (BDB 1023, KB 1532, Pual PARTICIPLE; see SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE [OT]) is uncertain in this context. There have been several theories. It seems to be parallel to the other titles for Israel (see above, v. 19) a title that showed how far Israel was from her calling and true self (i.e. she is blind and deaf, v. 18) 42:20 There is an obvious parallelism between the two parts of line 1 (related to sight) and line 2 (related to hearing). Verses 19-20 describe Judah in their spiritual blindness. The first pair is one which the MT compilers identified as a variant. the MT had "you have seen," BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal PERFECT (ketiv), also in Dead Sea Scrolls the Masoretic Jewish scholars suggested "to see," Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE (qere) SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MASORETIC TEXT 42:21 The problem with Israel was not God's law but Israel's inability to do it (cf. Gal. 3; the book of Hebrews)! The Fall affected all humans (cf. Isa. 42:22; i.e. Ezek. 36:22-38). Israel's sin had consequences! The New Covenant of Jer. 31:31-34 was meant to answer this human inability (cf. Isa. 42:23-25; Eph. 2:8-9) 42:22 NASB, NJB "in caves" NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA, REB "in holes" "in secret rooms" "in prison houses" "in pits" The MT has "young men" (BDB 104), but the context implies a similar form "in holes" (BDB 359). בחורים ‒ young men בהורים ‒ in holes It is possible that this term refers to special "pits" dug to keep prisoners for a limited period of time. Note the parallelism between line 2 and line 3. See IVP Bible Background Commentary (OT), p. 628. Context, context, context is crucial! Hebrew parallelism in poetry is crucial in interpretation!

Isaías 42:23-25

42:23-25 I think 42:18-25 should be one paragraph which describes Judah's (i.e. My Servant) unfaithfulness to the Mosaic Covenant and the warnings of the prophets. They failed in their mission to be "a light to the nations." This resulted in the "curses" of Lev. 26 and Deut. 28 falling on both the northern Kingdom (722 B.C.) and the southern Kingdom (586 B.C.). But, YHWH wants to forgive and restore them, not because they are worthy or repentant, but because of His greater purpose, which is the coming birth, life, teachings, death, resurrection of His Faithful Servant, the Messiah (Isa. 52:13-53:12). 42:24 "walk" This is used in the Bible to show that biblical faith is a lifestyle commitment (i.e. Eph. 1:4; 2:10; 4:1,17; 5:2,25), not a theology alone. This is possibly a source of the early title of Christianity in Acts, "the Way" (cf. Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22; and John 14:6). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY