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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.

Context of Isaiah 42:1

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. 2He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth 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," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
• Isaiah 49:3And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."
• Isaiah 52:13Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
• Isaiah 53:11Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
• Matthew 12:18"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
• Philippians 2:7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
• Isaiah 49:7Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: "Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."
• Isaiah 50:4The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
• John 16:32Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
• Psalms 89:19Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: "I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
• John 6:27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
• 1 Peter 2:4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
• Matthew 3:17and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
• Matthew 17:5He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed 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 bodily form, 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