Isaiah 42 2

Isaiah 42:2 kjv

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

Isaiah 42:2 nkjv

He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.

Isaiah 42:2 niv

He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.

Isaiah 42:2 esv

He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;

Isaiah 42:2 nlt

He will not shout
or raise his voice in public.

Isaiah 42 verses

Isaiah 42 2 Meaning

Isaiah 42:2 describes the gentle, humble, and non-confrontational nature of God's chosen Servant, who in Christian understanding is Jesus Christ. It states that this Servant will not draw attention to Himself through loud cries, public proclamations, or any form of boisterous self-promotion. His work and method will be characterized by quietness, meekness, and an absence of worldly display of power, reflecting a profound reliance on divine, rather than human, means to achieve His purpose.

Isaiah 42 2 Context

Isaiah 42:2 is part of the first of Isaiah's four "Servant Songs" (42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13–53:12). This particular song introduces God's chosen Servant, distinct from the collective, often unfaithful, nation of Israel. Chapters 40-48 focus on God's omnipotence and faithfulness, assuring Israel of their coming restoration from Babylonian exile. The Servant here is portrayed as an instrument of God's new covenant and salvation for both Israel and the Gentiles. The verses preceding chapter 42 establish God's supremacy over all idols and nations, setting the stage for the quiet yet powerful mission of His Servant. Historically, the audience would be an Israelite people under oppression, longing for a powerful, overt deliverer. This verse offers a contrasting picture, one of quiet strength rather than clamorous protest, hinting at a spiritual victory rather than a political one. It subtly challenges the loud, self-aggrandizing displays of pagan kings and false gods.

Isaiah 42 2 Word analysis

• He: Refers to the "Servant" (עֶבֶד, ’eved) introduced in Isaiah 42:1, identified by God as His chosen one in whom His soul delights. The Christian understanding affirms this as the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
• will not cry aloud: (lo’ yits’aq - לֹא יִצְעַק).
  • Lo’ (לֹא): A strong negation, meaning "not" or "no."
  • Yits’aq (יִצְעַק): From the root צָעַק (tsa‘aq), meaning "to cry, call, shout, shriek." This often denotes a loud public outcry, a clamor for attention, an impassioned protest, or even a battle cry. The Servant will abstain from such boisterous display, contrasting with the noisy clamor of political or military leaders.
• or lift up his voice: (wəlo’ yis’a’ qōlō - וְלֹא יִשָּׂא קוֹלוֹ).
  • Wəlo’ (וְלֹא): "And not," reinforcing the negation.
  • Yis’a’ (יִשָּׂא): From the root נָשָׂא (nasa’), meaning "to lift, carry, raise."
  • Qōlō (קולו): "His voice." The suffixed o means "his." Qol (קול) means voice, sound. This phrase reiterates and emphasizes the lack of any public, high-volume verbal display. It suggests the absence of any public self-assertion or domination through speech, which was common among ancient potentates.
• nor make his voice heard: (wəlo’ yashmia’ - וְלֹא יַשְׁמִיעַ).
  • Yashmia’ (יַשְׁמִיעַ): From the Hiphil stem of the root שָׁמַע (shama’), meaning "to hear." The Hiphil means "to cause to hear, to make heard, to proclaim." The negation indicates He will not intentionally cause His voice to be heard in a prominent or demanding way.
• in the street: (baḥutz qōlō - בַּחוּץ קוֹלוֹ).
  • Baḥutz (בַּחוּץ): "In the street," "outside," "publicly." The phrase emphasizes the public sphere. His message and method will not rely on urban commotion or drawing attention to Himself in busy public places. His influence will not be based on seeking public applause or popular clamor.

Isaiah 42 2 Bonus section

• The Servant's quietness is not a sign of weakness or indifference, but of a deep, inner spiritual power and a reliance on divine will rather than human clamor.
• This verse stood in stark contrast to popular Messianic expectations during Jesus' time, where many Jews looked for a zealous, militant leader who would forcefully liberate Israel from Roman oppression with loud calls to arms.
• The absence of public self-proclamation described here highlights the Servant's selflessness; His focus is on God's will and the redemption of others, not His own fame or popularity. His quiet approach would nonetheless accomplish universal justice.

Isaiah 42 2 Commentary

Isaiah 42:2 offers a profound prophetic insight into the character and method of God's Servant, which found its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The repeated negations ("not," "nor," "nor") paint a deliberate picture of what the Servant's mission will not entail, particularly in contrast to conventional expectations of powerful deliverers. Instead of a boisterous, revolutionary figure seeking public adoration or using worldly might, this Servant is characterized by profound humility and quiet determination. He works not by force or loud protest, but by gentle persuasion and intrinsic moral authority. His influence would permeate society, but not through public spectacles or political rallies designed to incite. This challenges any notion that God's power is equated with outward grandeur or popular acclamation. It describes a spiritual method that impacts hearts through truth and self-sacrificial love, resonating with Jesus' teachings on meekness and His consistent rejection of worldly power or theatrical displays of His identity.