Isaiah 42:1

Isaiah 42:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
• New International Version (NIV)“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Context of Isaiah 42:1

“This is my servant; I strengthen him, this is my chosen one; I delight in him. I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring justice to the nations. 2He will not cry out or shout or make his voice heard in the streets. 3He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick; he will faithfully bring justice.

Isaiah 42:1 word by word

הֵ֤ן עַבְדִּי֙ אֶתְמָךְ־בּ֔וֹ בְּחִירִ֖י רָצְתָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֑י נָתַ֤תִּי רוּחִי֙ עָלָ֔יו מִשְׁפָּ֖ט לַגּוֹיִ֥ם יוֹצִֽיא׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Behold my servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• whom I upholdתָּמַךְtâmak · to graspH8551
• mine electבָּחִירbâchîyr · chosenH972
• my soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• delightethרָצָהrâtsâh · to acceptH7521
• I have putנָתַןnâthan · to give: putH5414
• my spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• upon him: he shall bring forthיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: sendH3318
• judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941
• to the Gentilesגּוֹיgôy gôy · nationH1471

Cross-references for Isaiah 42:1

• Isaiah 43:10“You are my witnesses” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. No god was formed before me, and there will be none after me.
• Isaiah 49:3He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
• Isaiah 52:13See, my servant will be successful; he will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.
• Isaiah 53:11After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities.
• Matthew 12:18Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
• Philippians 2:7Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man,
• Isaiah 49:7This is what the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, says to one who is despised, to one abhorred by people, to a servant of rulers: “Kings will see, princes will stand up, and they will all bow down because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel — and he has chosen you.”
• Isaiah 50:4The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens me each morning; he awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed.
• John 16:32Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
• Psalms 89:19You once spoke in a vision to your faithful ones and said, “I have granted help to a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
• John 6:27Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.”
• 1 Peter 2:4As you come to him, a living stone — rejected by people but chosen and honored by God —
• Matthew 3:17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
• Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”
• Mark 1:11And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”
• Luke 3:22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

Commentaries on Isaiah 42:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Behold my servant, whom I uphold - בו אתמך ethmach bo, on whom I lean. Alluding to the custom of kings leaning on the arm of their most beloved and faithful servant. All, both Jews and Christians, agree, that the seven first verses of this chapter belong to Christ. Now, as they are evidently a continuation of the prophecy in the preceding chapter, that prophecy cannot belong to Cyrus, but to Christ. He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles "He shall…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Behold - This word is designed to call attention to the person that is immediately referred to. It is an intimation that the subject is of importance, and should command their regard. My servant - This phrase denotes properly anyone who acknowledges or worships God; anyone who is regarded as serving or obeying him. It is a term which may be applied to anyone who is esteemed to be a pious man, or who is obedient to the commands of God, and is often applied…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The character and coming of Christ. (Is. 42:1-4) The blessings of his kingdom. (Is. 42:5-12) The prevalence of true religion. (Is. 42:13-17) Unbelief and blindness reproved. (Is. 42:18-25) Verses 1-4 This prophecy was fulfilled in Christ, Matt. 12:17. Let our souls rely on him, and rejoice in him; then, for his sake, the Father will be well-pleased with us. The Holy Spirit not only came, but rested upon him, and without measure. He patiently bore the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1in whom My soul delights: God used similar words at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:17). I will put My Spirit on Him: Any leader might be called a servant, but the Spirit's presence suggests a king from David’s line or a prophet like Moses (see Numbers 11:17, 24–29). Establishing justice is a king's duty (see Isaiah 9:6–7; Psalm 72:1). This king’s mission will extend beyond governing Judah to a greater mission for the nations.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-25God's description of His character (Is 42:1-4). God addresses Him directly (Is 42:5-7). Address to the people to attend to the subject (Is 42:8, 9). Call to all, and especially the exile Jews to rejoice in the coming deliverance (Is 42:10-25). 1. my servant--The law of prophetic suggestion leads Isaiah from Cyrus to the far greater Deliverer, behind whom the former is lost sight of. The express quotation in Mt 12:18-20, and the description can apply to…Read the comment

Topics related to Isaiah 42:1

• Church
• Election
• Gentiles
• Holy Spirit
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Meekness
• Prophecy
• Quotations and Allusions
• Trinity

In the dictionaries

• Ashamed
• Chosen
• Covenant
• Elect
• Isle
• Prison
• Servant
• Travailing
• Trust
• Accommodation

Commentaries on Isaiah 42

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings