Isaiah 42 1

Isaiah 42:1 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.

Isaiah 42:1 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.

Isaiah 42:1 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.

Isaiah 42:1 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.

Isaiah 42:1 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.

Isaiah 42 verses

Isaiah 42 1 Meaning

Isaiah 42:1 introduces the first of four "Servant Songs" in the Book of Isaiah, presenting God's unique and specially chosen Servant. This Servant is explicitly affirmed and empowered by God, marked by divine favor and anointing with the Spirit. His mission is distinct: to establish "judgment," understood as justice, righteousness, and order, not merely within Israel but universally "to the Gentiles" or nations. The verse prophetically unveils the character and mission of the Messiah, characterized by dependence on God, divine empowerment, and a global scope for His work of bringing true justice.

Isaiah 42 1 Context

Isaiah chapter 42 marks a significant shift within the book, initiating the first of the "Servant Songs" (chapters 42, 49, 50, 52:13-53:12). This section falls within "Deutero-Isaiah" (chapters 40-55), a period of comfort and hope following the pronouncements of judgment. The immediate context is God's announcement of a new era, emphasizing His incomparability with idols and His power to save and deliver. While "Servant" (ʿeved) can refer to Israel as a whole (e.g., Isa 41:8-9), to a remnant, or to the prophet Isaiah himself, here in chapter 42:1, the Servant is clearly an individual figure, uniquely endowed and distinct, pointing to the coming Messiah. This verse serves as a crucial introduction to this figure's character, divine enablement, and mission, contrasting sharply with the failings of Israel and the powerlessness of the false gods worshiped by surrounding nations. The promise of justice for the "Gentiles" highlights God's universal redemptive plan, radical in a period often focused on Israel's national restoration.

Isaiah 42 1 Word analysis

• Behold (הֵן, hēn): An interjection designed to capture immediate attention, emphasizing the extraordinary nature and importance of what is about to be revealed. It signals a dramatic and significant divine declaration.
• my servant (עַבְדִּי, ʿabdî): "My slave," "my minister," "my worshiper." Here, it signifies one completely devoted to God's will and purpose. The possessive suffix ("my") highlights an intimate, divinely appointed relationship. This figure represents an ideal, humble, obedient agent, standing in stark contrast to the rebellious "servant" Israel often portrayed earlier. This specific servant is singular and distinct from national Israel.
• whom I uphold (אֶתְמָךְ־בּוֹ, ʾetmakh-bô): "I will strengthen him," "I grasp him," "I take hold of him." This emphasizes God's active, continuous support, power, and sustaining hand. The Servant is not dependent on his own strength but entirely reliant on divine provision. It speaks of divine authority and empowerment for the assigned task.
• mine elect (בְּחִירִי, bĕḥîrî): "My chosen one." Signifies God's sovereign and deliberate selection for a unique purpose. It indicates a special honor, favor, and qualification, underscoring that the Servant's status and mission originate entirely from divine prerogative, not human merit.
• in whom my soul delighteth (רָצְתָה נַפְשִׁי, rāṣᵉtâ napšî): Expresses profound pleasure, approval, and affection. Napshî refers to God's "very being" or "desire." This phrase signifies deep, intimate, and loving affirmation, much like a parent's delight in a beloved child. It confirms the Servant's alignment with God's perfect will and character.
• I have put my spirit upon him (נָתַתִּי רוּחִי עָלָיו, nātatî rûḥî ʿālāw): Indicates divine anointing, commissioning, and empowerment for service. The Spirit (רוּחִי, rûḥî) here is the source of prophetic insight, power, wisdom, and the ability to fulfill God's purposes. This anointing is for the specific mission outlined in the verse.
• he shall bring forth judgment (מִשְׁפָּט יוֹצִיא, mišpāṭ yôṣîʾ): mišpāṭ is a rich term. While it can mean "legal verdict," it primarily refers to "justice," "righteousness," "moral order," "true religion," or "the proper way things ought to be." The Servant's role is not just to judge but to establish and make known God's standard of justice, bringing order and fairness where there is chaos and oppression. "Bring forth" implies actively revealing and establishing it.
• to the Gentiles (לַגּוֹיִם, lagoyim): "To the nations" or "peoples." This is a crucial element, emphasizing the universal scope of the Servant's mission. His work is not confined to Israel but extends globally, challenging the narrow, nationalistic expectations common at the time. This underscores God's plan to draw all peoples to Himself through the Servant's work of establishing justice.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect: This opening immediately establishes a direct, intimate, and powerful relationship between God and His chosen Servant. It is God who introduces, chooses, and sustains this figure, emphasizing divine initiative and authority in commissioning Him. The Servant's identity is defined by divine selection and sustenance, not by human effort.
• in whom my soul delighteth: This phrase underscores the Servant's perfect obedience and alignment with God's will. It’s an affirmation of character and purpose, suggesting the Servant perfectly embodies God's righteous desires, thereby receiving profound divine pleasure. This aspect became a direct quotation for Jesus' identity at His baptism and transfiguration.
• I have put my spirit upon him: This reveals the source of the Servant's power and ability to execute His mission. The anointing by the Holy Spirit signifies divine qualification and authorization, granting the necessary spiritual and prophetic endowment to fulfill God's mandate. It marks Him as specially empowered by God.
• he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles: This defines the ultimate mission and global scope of the Servant's work. It highlights a universal concern for justice and righteousness that transcends national boundaries, aiming to bring God's moral order and salvific truth to all humanity, moving beyond Israel-centric prophecy to an all-inclusive, redemptive plan.

Isaiah 42 1 Bonus section

This verse's description of the Servant profoundly influenced early Christian understanding of Jesus Christ. The direct quotation and application in Matthew 12:18-21 by Matthew himself clearly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy. The emphasis on God's delight and the Spirit's anointing in this verse find direct echoes in the Gospels during pivotal moments of Jesus' ministry, like His baptism, establishing a foundational connection between the Old Testament prophecy and the person of Jesus. This Servanthood is active and impactful; it is not merely about suffering (though Isa 53 reveals that) but about actively establishing God's righteous standards on earth, which culminate in His Kingdom. The mišpāṭ delivered to the Gentiles here is not primarily judgment for sin but the establishment of God's true way of life, righteousness, and order for those previously excluded from God's covenant blessings.

Isaiah 42 1 Commentary

Isaiah 42:1 serves as a profound Messianic blueprint, unveiling God's specially chosen Servant. This Servant is not a generalized ideal but a singular, empowered individual who stands in unique intimacy and favor with God. He is "upheld" and "elect," meaning divinely supported and sovereignly selected for an extraordinary task. The phrase "in whom my soul delighteth" speaks of deep, unqualified divine approval and love, foreshadowing the divine declarations at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration. The "Spirit" upon Him signifies His anointing and enablement, marking Him as the source of wisdom and power. Crucially, His mission is to "bring forth judgment (justice/righteousness)" to the "Gentiles." This universal scope shatters conventional boundaries, declaring that God's plan of establishing perfect order and salvation is for all nations. The Servant accomplishes this not through military conquest, as later verses in the song imply, but through gentle, unwavering proclamation and establishment of God's righteous ways.