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Christian Standard Bible ®
Isaiah 42:1
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Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring forth justice to the Goyim.
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.
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.
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.
"Here is my servant, the one I support. He is the one I chose, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to all nations.
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My Chosen One in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.
Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
Beholde, my seruaunt: I will stay vpon him: mine elect, in whom my soule deliteth: I haue put my Spirit vpo him: he shal bring forth iudgement to the Gentiles.
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;My chosen one in whom My soul is well‑pleased.I have put My Spirit upon Him;He will bring forth justice to the nations.
Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.
Here is my servant! I have made him strong. He is my chosen one; I am pleased with him. I have given him my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations.
"Here is my servant, whom I support, my chosen one, in whom I take pleasure. I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring justice to the Goyim.
Behold my servant whom I uphold, mine elect [in whom] my soul delighteth! I will put my Spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the nations.
"Here is my servant, the one I support. He is the one I have chosen, and I am very pleased with him. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations.
BEHOLD, my servant, whom I uphold, my elect in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
The Lord says, "Here is my servant, whom I strengthen— the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation.
Look! here is my servant; I hold him, my chosen one, in whom my soul delights. I have put my spirit on him; he will bring justice forth to the nations.
Behold My Servant; I will uphold Him; My Elect in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit on Him; He shall bring forth justice to the nations.
Beholde now therfore, this is my seruaunt whom I will kepe to my self: my electe, In whom my soule shalbe pacified. I will geue him my sprete, that he maye shewe forth iudgment & equyte amonge the Gentiles.
Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
See my servant, whom I am supporting, my loved one, in whom I take delight: I have put my spirit on him; he will give the knowledge of the true God to the nations.
Behold My servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My spirit upon him, he shall make the right to go forth to the nations.
Behold my seruant whome I vphold, mine elect in whom my soule delighteth: I haue put my Spirit vpon him, he shall bring forth iudgement to the Gentiles.
Behold this is my seruaunt vpon whom I leane, my elect in who my soule is pacified: I haue geuen my spirite vpon him, that he may shewe foorth iudgement among the gentiles.
Jacob is my servant, I will help him: Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted him; I have put my Spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Lo! my seruaunt, Y schal vptake hym, my chosun, my soule pleside to it silf in hym. I yaf my spirit on hym, he schal brynge forth doom to hethene men.
Look, my slave, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"See! My servant, My chosen one! My much Loved, in Whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit on Him. He will say to the nations what is right from wrong.
Here is 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.
Lo! my Servant, I will uphold him, My chosen, well-pleased is my soul, - I have put my spirit upon him, Justice - to the nations, will he bring forth:
Behold my servant, I will uphold him: my elect, my soul delighteth in him: I have given my spirit upon him, he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
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.
Lo, My servant, I take hold on him, My chosen one -- My soul hath accepted, I have put My Spirit upon him, Judgment to nations he bringeth forth.
"Take a good look at my servant. I'm backing him to the hilt. He's the one I chose, and I couldn't be more pleased with him. I've bathed him with my Spirit, my life. He'll set everything right among the nations. He won't call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right. He won't tire out and quit. He won't be stopped until he's finished his work—to set things right on earth. Far-flung ocean islands wait expectantly for his teaching."
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
my servant: Isaiah 43:10, Isaiah 49:3-6, Isaiah 52:13, Isaiah 53:11, Matthew 12:18-20, Philippians 2:7
whom I: Isaiah 49:7, Isaiah 49:8, Isaiah 50:4-9, John 16:32
mine elect: Psalms 89:19, Psalms 89:20, John 6:27, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:6
my soul: Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 1:6, Colossians 1:13, *marg.
I have: Isaiah 11:2-5, Isaiah 59:21, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32-34, John 3:34, Acts 10:38
he shall: Isaiah 32:16, Isaiah 49:6, Malachi 1:11, Matthew 12:18, Acts 9:15, Acts 11:18, Acts 26:17, Acts 26:18, Acts 28:28, Romans 15:8-16, Ephesians 3:8
Reciprocal: Genesis 49:10 - the gathering Leviticus 2:4 - wafers Numbers 4:49 - every one Numbers 7:5 - Take it Joshua 1:2 - Moses 2 Samuel 15:26 - General 2 Samuel 22:20 - delighted 1 Kings 10:9 - delighteth 1 Chronicles 17:19 - thy servant's 2 Chronicles 9:8 - General Esther 6:6 - whom the king Job 1:8 - my servant Psalms 16:5 - thou Psalms 22:8 - seeing Psalms 25:9 - guide Psalms 37:17 - Lord Psalms 54:4 - General Psalms 63:8 - thy Psalms 73:23 - thou hast Psalms 89:3 - my chosen Psalms 89:21 - With Psalms 110:6 - judge Psalms 119:116 - Uphold Proverbs 8:30 - I was daily Isaiah 30:18 - for the Lord Isaiah 42:6 - and will hold Isaiah 49:1 - Listen Isaiah 49:2 - in the Isaiah 49:22 - Behold Isaiah 50:7 - the Lord Isaiah 50:10 - obeyeth Isaiah 51:4 - I will make Isaiah 53:10 - pleased Isaiah 54:3 - thou shalt Micah 4:2 - for Haggai 2:23 - for Zechariah 2:11 - many Zechariah 3:8 - my Matthew 11:29 - for Matthew 12:17 - saying Matthew 28:19 - ye therefore Mark 12:6 - his Luke 2:31 - General Luke 4:18 - Spirit Luke 4:43 - therefore Luke 23:35 - Christ Luke 24:44 - in the prophets John 3:35 - Father John 8:29 - he that sent John 10:17 - General John 10:36 - whom John 14:28 - Father John 15:10 - even Acts 1:2 - through Acts 13:47 - I have Acts 26:6 - the promise Romans 8:33 - of God's Romans 15:12 - and he Ephesians 1:12 - who Colossians 3:12 - as Hebrews 9:14 - who Hebrews 10:38 - my 2 Peter 1:17 - in whom
Cross-References
and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every land, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food.
Every land came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, for the famine was severe in every land.
Listen,” he went on, “I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die.”
So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he thought, “Something might happen to him.”
The Israelite foremen saw that they were in trouble when they were told, “You cannot reduce your daily quota of bricks.”
All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance.
The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen facedown?
Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there,
Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we support you. Be strong and take action!”
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Behold my servant, whom I uphold,.... The Targum is,
"behold my servant the Messiah;''
and Kimchi on the place says, this is the King Messiah; and so Abarbinel f interprets it of him, and other Jewish writers, and which is right; for the prophet speaks not of himself, as Aben Ezra thinks; nor of Cyrus, as Saadiah Gaon; nor of the people of Israel, as Jarchi; but of Christ, as it is applied, Matthew 12:17 who is spoken of under the character of a "servant", as he is; not as a divine Person, for as such he is the Son of God; but as man, and in his office as Mediator; a servant of the Lord, not of angels, or men, but of his divine Father; who chose him, called and sent him, and assigned him his work; which was principally the redemption of his people, and which he diligently, faithfully, and fully performed; in which he was "upheld" as man and Mediator by his Father, not only in his being as man, but was strengthened and helped in his mediatorial service so that he did not sink under the mighty weight of the sins of his people, or of the wrath of God: or, "whom I lean upon" g; as a master on his servant, so Kimchi; he relied on him to do the work he undertook; he trusted him with his own glory, and the salvation of his people. This prophecy is ushered in with a "behold"; exciting attention to what is said concerning Christ, as of the greatest importance; directing the eye of faith to him for righteousness and salvation; and as expressive of admiration at him, that he who was the Son of God should become a servant, and undertake the salvation of men:
mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth: this character of "elect" may respect the choice of the human nature to the grace of union with the Son of God; which was chosen out from among the people, and separated from them for that purpose; and was preordained to be the Lamb slain for the redemption of man, and appointed to glory; and likewise the choice of Christ to office, to be the Mediator between God and man; to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the Lord's people; to be the Head of the church, and to be the foundation and the corner stone of that spiritual building; and to be the Judge of quick and dead: and with him, as such, was the Lord "well pleased, or delighted"; with his person; as the Son of God; and with all his chosen, as considered in him; with what he did as his servant; with the righteousness he wrought out; with the sacrifice he offered up; and with his sufferings and death, through which peace and reconciliation were made with God for sinners:
I have put my Spirit upon him; my Holy Spirit, as the Targum; not on him as a divine Person, as such he needed him not; but as man, with which he was filled without measure at his incarnation, and which rested upon him, and qualified him for his work and office, as Prophet, Priest, and King:
he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles; the Gospel, the produce of divine wisdom; the Gospel of God, whose judgment is according to truth; the rule of human judgment in things spiritual and saving, and by which Christ judges and rules in the hearts of his people; this he brought forth out of his Father's bosom, out of his own heart, and published it in person to the Jews, and by his apostles to the converted by it, became subject to his rule and government. Gentiles, who being converted by it, became subject to his rule and government.
f Mashmiah Jeshuah, fol. 9. col. 1. 2. Chizzuk Emunah, p. 299. g ×ת×× ×× "qui innitar", Munster, "innitar ei, vel illi", Pagninus, Calvin; "in eo", Montanus.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Behold - 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 to the people of God Gen 50:17; 1 Chronicles 6:49; 2 Chronicles 24:9; Daniel 6:20; Daniel 9:2; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 1 Peter 2:16; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 15:3. The word âservantâ may be applied either to Isaiah, Cyrus, or the Messiah; and the question to whom it refers here is to be decided, not by the mere use of the term, but by the connection, and by the characteristics which are ascribed to him who is here designated as the âservantâ of Yahweh. There have been no less than five different views in regard to the personage here referred to; and as in the interpretation of the whole prophecy in this chapter, everything depends on this question, it is of importance briefly to examine the opinions which have been entertained.
I. One has been that it refers to the Jewish people. The translators of the Septuagint evidently so regarded it. They render it, ÎÌακÏÌβ Î¿Ì ÏαιÍÏ Î¼Î¿Ï Í, κ.Ï.λ. IakoÌb ho pais mou, etc. - âJacob is my servant, I will uphold him; Israel is my chosen one, my soul hath embraced him.â Jarchi also so interprets the passage, but so modifies it as to understand by it âthe righteous in Israel;â and among the moderns, Rosenmuller, Paulus, and some others adopt this interpretation. The principal reason alleged for this interpretation is, that the phrase âservant of Yahweh,â is used elsewhere in a collective sense, and applied to the Jewish people. Rosenmuller appeals particularly to Isaiah 41:8-9; to Isaiah 42:19, and to Isaiah 44:21; Isaiah 45:4; Isaiah 48:20; and argues that it is to be presumed that the prophet used the phrase in a uniform manner, and must therefore be supposed here also to refer to the Jewish people. But the objections are insuperable.
1. In Isaiah 42:6, the servant of Yahweh here referred to, is plainly distinguished from the people, where God says, âI will give thee for a covenant of (with) the people.â
2. The description which the prophet gives here of the character of the âservantâ of Yahweh, as meek, mild, gentle, quiet, and humble Isaiah 42:2-3, is remarkably unlike the character which the prophet elsewhere gives of the people, and is as remarkably like the character which is everywhere given of the Messiah.
3. It was not true of the Jewish people that they were appointed, as is here said of the âservantâ of God Isaiah 42:7, to âopen the blind eyes, and to bring the prisoners out of prison.â This is evidently applicable only to a teacher, a deliverer, or a guide; and in no sense can it be applied to the collected Jewish people.
II. A second opinion has been, that by the âservant of Yahwehâ Cyrus was intended. Many of the Jewish interpreters have adopted this view, and not a few of the German critics. The principal argument for this opinion is, that what precedes, and what follows, relates particularly to Cyrus; and an appeal is made particularly to Isaiah 45:1, where he is called the Anointed, and to Isaiah 44:28, where he is called the Shepherd. But to this view also, the objections are obvious.
1. The name âservant of Yahweh,â is, it is believed, nowhere given to Cyrus.
2. The description here by no means agrees with Cyrus. That he was distinguished for justice and equity is admitted (see the note at Isaiah 41:2), but the expressions used here, that God would âput his Spirit upon him, that he should not cry, nor lift up his voice, so that it should be heard in the streets,â is one that is by no means applicable to a man whose life was spent mainly in the tumults of war, and in the pomp and carnage of battle and conquest. How can this description be applied to a man who trod down nations, and subdued kings, and who shed rivers of blood?
III. Others suppose that the prophet refers to himself. Among the Jews, Aben Ezra, and among others, Grottoes and Doderlin held this opinion. The only reason for this is, that in Isaiah 20:3, the name âservantâ of Yahweh is given to Isaiah. But the objections to this are plain, and insuperable.
1. Nothing can be urged, as we have seen, from the mere use of the word âservant.â
2. It is inconceivable that a humble prophet like Isaiah should have applied to himself a description expressive of so much importance as is here attributed to the servant of God. How could the establishment of a new covenant with the people of God, and the conversion of the pagan nations Isaiah 42:6-7, be ascribed to Isaiah? And in what sense is it true that he was appointed to open the eyes of the blind, and to lead the prisoners from the prison?
IV. A fourth opinion, which it may be proper just to notice, is that which is advocated by Gesenius, that the phrase here refers to the prophets taken collectively. But this opinion is one that scarce deserves a serious refutation. For,
1. The name âservant of Yahweh,â is never given to any collection of the prophets.
2. Any such collection of the prophets is a mere creature of the fancy. When did they exist? Who composed the collection? And how could the name servant designate them?
3. Of what collection of people could it be imagined that the description here given could be applied, that such a collection should not strive, nor cry; that it should be a covenant of the people, and that it should be the means of the conversion of the Gentile world?
V. The fifth opinion, therefore is, that it refers to the Messiah; and the direct arguments in favor of this, independent of the fact that it is applicable to no other one, are so strong as to put it beyond debate. A few of them may be referred to.
1. This is the interpretation of the Chaldee Paraphrase, which has retained the exposition of the ancient and early Jews. âBehold my servant, the Messiah (×ש×××ª× ×¢××× âabeddıÌy meshıÌythaÌ') I will cause him to come near; my chosen.â
2. There are such applications of the passage in the New Testament to the Lord Jesus, as to leave no room to doubt that, in view of the sacred writers, the passage had this reference. Thus, in Luke 2:32, he is spoken of as âa light to lighten the Gentilesâ (compare Isaiah 42:6). In Acts 26:18, Paul speaks of him as given to the Gentiles,â to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to lightâ (compare Isaiah 42:7). In Matthew 3:17, God says of the Redeemer, âThis is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,â - language remarkably similar to the passage before us Isaiah 42:1, where he says, âmine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.â And the whole inquiry is put to rest by the fact that Matthew Matthew 12:17-21 expressly and directly applies the passage to the Lord Jesus, and says that it was fulfilled in him.
3. It may be added, that the entire description is one that is exactly and entirely applicable to the Lord Jesus. It is as applicable as if it had been made after he had appeared among people, and as if it were the language of biography, and not of prophecy. It is an exceedingly beautiful and tender description of the Son of God; nor can there be any objection to its application to him, except what arises from a general purpose not to apply any part of the Old Testament to him, if it can be avoided. I shall regard the passage, therefore, as applicable to him, and him alone; and suppose that the design of the Spirit here in introducing this reference to the Messiah is, to comfort the hearts of the exile Jews with the assurance that they must be restored to their own land, because it was from them that the Messiah was to proceed, and from them that the true religion was to be spread around the world.
Whom I uphold - whom I sustain, or protect; that is, who is the object of my affection and care. In Matthew 3:17, the expression is, âin whom I am well pleased.â And so in Matthew 12:18, it is rendered, âmy servant, whom I have chosen.â
Mine elect - My chosen one; or the one whom I have selected to accomplish my great purposes. It implies that God had designated or appointed him for the purpose. In Matthew 12:18, it is rendered âmy beloved.â It implies that he was the object of the divine favor, and that God had chosen or appointed him to perform the work of a Messiah.
In whom my soul delighteth - This language is applied the Lord Jesus in Matthew 3:17; Matthew 12:18. God regarded him as qualified for his work: he approved of what he did; he was well pleased with all his words, and thoughts, and plans. The word âsoulâ here, is equivalent to I myself - in whom I delight.
I have put my Spirit upon him - (Compare John 3:34): âFor God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.â The Lord Jesus was divine, yet as Mediator he is everywhere represented as âthe anointedâ of God, or as endowed with the influences of the Holy Spirit (compare the note at Isaiah 11:2). See also Isaiah 61:1, where the Messiah says of himself, âThe Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because be hath anointed meâ (compare Luke 4:18). Before he entered upon his public ministry, the Spirit of God descended on him at his baptism Matthew 3:17, and in all his work he showed that he was endowed abundantly with that Spirit.
He shall bring forth judgment - The word âjudgmentâ (×ש××¤× mishpaÌtÌ£) is used in a great variety of significations. It properly means judgment, that is, the act of judging Leviticus 19:15; the place of judgment Ecclesiastes 3:16; a cause, or suit before a judge Numbers 28:5; a sentence of a judge 1 Kings 3:28; and thence guilt or crime, for which one is judged Jeremiah 51:9. It also means right, rectitude, justice; a law, or statute; a claim, privilege, or due; also manner, custom, or fashion; or an ordinance, or institution. Here it is used, probably, in the sense of the order or institution that would be introduced under the Messiah; and it means that he would set up or establish the true religion among the Gentiles.
To the Gentiles - This is one of the many declarations which occur in Isaiah, that the Messiah would extend the true religion to pagan nations, and that they should be brought to participate in its privileges.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
CHAPTER XLII
The prophet sets forth the meekness of Messiah's character, and
the extent and blessings of his kingdom, particularly among the
Gentiles, 1-9.
In consequence of this he calls on the whole creation to join
him in one song of praise to God, 10-12.
After which he seems again to glance at the deliverance from
the captivity; although the words may full as well apply to the
deliverance vouchsafed to the Church; to the overthrow of her
must powerful enemies; and to the prevalency of true religion
over idolatry and error, 13-17.
The prophet then reproves the Jews for their blindness and
infidelity in rejecting the Messiah, and gives intimations of
these judgments which their guilt would draw on them, 18-25.
The prophet, having opened his subject with the preparation for the return from captivity at Babylon, and intimated that a much greater deliverance was covered under the veil of that event, proceeded to vindicate the power of God, as Creator and disposer of all things; and his infinite knowledge, from his prediction of future events, and in particular of that deliverance. He went still farther, and pointed out the instrument by which he should effect the redemption of his people the Jews from slavery; namely, a great conqueror, whom he would call forth from the north and the east to execute his orders. In this chapter he proceeds to the greater deliverance; and at once brings forth into full view, without throwing any veil of allegory over the subject, the Messiah. "Behold my servant, Messiah," says the Chaldee. St. Matthew has applied it directly to Christ; nor can it with any justice or propriety be applied to any other person or character whatever. - L
NOTES ON CHAP. XLII
Verse Isaiah 42:1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold — ×ת×× ×× 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 publish judgment to the nations"] Four MSS. two ancient, add the conjunction ×××©×¤× vemishpat. See Matthew 12:18.
The word ××©×¤× mishpat, judgment, like צ××§× tsedakah, righteousness, is taken in a great latitude of signification. It means rule, form, order, model, plan; rule of right, or of religion; an ordinance, institution; judicial process, cause, trial, sentence, condemnation, acquittal, deliverance, mercy, &c. It certainly means in this place the law to be published by Messiah, the institution of the Gospel.
