New English Translation
Isaiah 42:1
1“Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations.
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
“Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations. 2He will not cry out or shout; he will not publicize himself in the streets. 3A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully make just decrees.
Read all of Isaiah 42Isaiah 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 43:10You are my witnesses,” says the Lord, “my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe in me, and understand that I am he. No god was formed before me, and none will outlive me.
- Isaiah 49:3He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, through whom I will reveal my splendor.”
- Isaiah 52:13“Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted –
- Isaiah 53:11Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins.
- Matthew 12:18“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
- Philippians 2:7but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.
- Isaiah 49:7This is what the Lord, the protector of Israel, their Holy One, says to the one who is despised and rejected by nations, a servant of rulers: “Kings will see and rise in respect, princes will bow down, because of the faithful Lord, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.”
- Isaiah 50:4The sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman, so that I know how to help the weary. He wakes me up every morning; he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do.
- John 16:32Look, a time is coming – and has come – when you will be scattered, each one to his own home, and I will be left alone. Yet I am not alone, because my Father is with me.
- Psalms 89:19Then you spoke through a vision to your faithful followers and said: “I have energized a warrior; I have raised up a young man from the people.
- John 6:27Do not work for the food that disappears, but for the food that remains to eternal life – the food which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him.”
- 1 Peter 2:4So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God’s sight,
- Matthew 3:17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight.”
- Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!”
- Mark 1:11And a voice came from heaven: “You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight.”
- Luke 3:22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight.”
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
In the dictionaries
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
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