Isaiah 42 22

Isaiah 42:22 kjv

But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

Isaiah 42:22 nkjv

But this is a people robbed and plundered; All of them are snared in holes, And they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder, and no one says, "Restore!"

Isaiah 42:22 niv

But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, "Send them back."

Isaiah 42:22 esv

But this is a people plundered and looted; they are all of them trapped in holes and hidden in prisons; they have become plunder with none to rescue, spoil with none to say, "Restore!"

Isaiah 42:22 nlt

But his own people have been robbed and plundered,
enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped.
They are fair game for anyone
and have no one to protect them,
no one to take them back home.

Isaiah 42 verses

Isaiah 42 22 Meaning

This verse declares that Israel has been given into the hands of its plunderers because they did not fear the LORD. They failed to listen to God’s voice or heed His instruction, resulting in the enemy taking hold of them, much like a shepherd can lose his sheep.

Isaiah 42 22 Context

Chapter 42 of Isaiah is part of the "Songs of the Servant" prophecy. It describes the future mission of the Servant of the LORD, who will bring justice to the nations. However, before this redemptive work is fully realized, there are prophecies of judgment and the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness. This verse is part of a discourse where the failure of Israel's spiritual leaders and the people's general rebellion against God are highlighted. The verse describes the sorry state of the people as a direct result of their disobedience, setting the stage for God’s severe actions. The immediate context speaks to the chastisement Israel faced due to their persistent sin, a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament.

Isaiah 42 22 Word Analysis

• "But": Introduces a contrast to the preceding verses, possibly a shift from the ideal role of the Servant to the current reality of the people's plight.
• "this": Refers specifically to the people of Israel in their present fallen state.
• "is": States a condition of being.
• "a people": Refers to the nation of Israel, the covenant people.
• "plundered": (Hebrew: shalal) - To seize goods or persons as spoil. Indicates being violently robbed or looted.
• "and": Connects the descriptive clauses.
• "looted": (Hebrew: baTza) - To gain plunder or spoils by violence. Reinforces the idea of being stripped of possessions and dignity.
• "they are all": Emphasizes the universality of the condition among the people.
• "trapped": (Hebrew: muQashim) - Caught in a snare or trap. Implies being ensnared, caught off guard, or imprisoned.
• "in holes": (Hebrew: beMeTzudoth) - Pits, snares, traps, dungeons, or sieged places. Suggests confinement and vulnerability.
• "and": Continues the description of their state.
• "hidden away": (Hebrew: maTzfunim) - Concealed or hidden, suggesting secrecy of their suffering or a state of being overlooked by rescuers.
• "in prisons": (Hebrew: beBattei HhaGoer) - Literal places of confinement; houses of capture. Refers to dungeons or prisons, highlighting their subjugation.
• "they have been despoiled": (Hebrew: NāSōḇōḇ Rĕḵa šūlaL) - A more emphatic statement of being utterly stripped and robbed, carrying the sense of being overturned and despoiled.
• "and": Continues the list of calamities.
• "there is none": Indicates a complete lack of deliverance or rescue.
• "to rescue them": (Hebrew: mihal Tz) - From help or rescue. No one comes to save.
• "Who among you": A direct address and challenge to the people.
• "will listen": (Hebrew: yišma')- Will hear and obey.
• "to this?": Refers to the prophetic word being spoken.
• "and": Connects listening with paying attention.
• "pay attention": (Hebrew: yaŠḵaś SōReñ) - Give heed, be attentive, look carefully into the future.
• "in times to come?": Refers to the future period following the current chastisement.
• "Who handed Jacob on to be despoiled": (Hebrew: mî NaThNa ThYaʿaqōḇ Lêshōdēd)- Asks the rhetorical question about the cause of their despoilment.
• "and Israel": Identifies the object of the despoilment.
• "to the plunderers?": (Hebrew: WeYisrā’ēl LeBāzīm) - Those who seize spoils.
• "Was it not the LORD": Identifies God as the ultimate permissive force behind their suffering, directly linking their state to their relationship with Him.
• "against whom": Points to the perpetrator of the sin.
• "we have sinned?": (Hebrew: ’ašer ’aNaNw wəwøō) - A confession or acknowledgement of their sin against God.
• "When they were unwilling": (Hebrew: qê SiMaⁿ ’øeN-la╓ewō-béxô ’oRa xwū╓╓ō ) - When they refused to walk in obedience and ways.
• "to walk": (Hebrew: lá╓ewō) - To conduct oneself, to live.
• "in his ways": Refers to God’s prescribed paths of righteousness and obedience.
• "and would not listen": (Hebrew: weLo šāmaʿū ṯūr╓œ╓î ’e)- Reiterates their disobedience to God's instruction.
• "to his law.": (Hebrew: wat HōraTh╓î ) - God's teaching, instruction, or commandment.
• "Therefore": Indicates the consequence of their actions.
• "the LORD": God's sovereign action.
• "brought upon them": Administered justice or judgment.
• "his fierce anger": (Hebrew: wəšipō‘-gïmû wə╓mō╓-)- Indicates intense divine wrath and fury.
• "and fury": Reinforces the intensity of God’s anger.
• "and the heat of battle.": (Hebrew: weHxêm rîḇ) - The burning intensity of conflict or strife.

Isaiah 42 22 Bonus Section

The concept of being "plundered and looted" and hidden "in prisons" resonates with the spiritual state of being enslaved by sin and disconnected from God’s presence. The enemy's actions are permitted due to Israel’s sin, mirroring how believers can fall into the snare of sin and feel imprisoned by it when they stray from spiritual discipline and dependence on Christ. The verse’s admonition to "listen" and "pay attention" echoes throughout Scripture as a call to hear God’s Word and heed His voice in order to maintain a right relationship with Him and avoid spiritual captivity.

Isaiah 42 22 Commentary

This verse vividly portrays the severe consequences of Israel’s covenantal infidelity. They were not just victims of historical events but were subjected to plunder and imprisonment as a direct result of their turning away from God and His law. The rhetorical questions highlight God's sovereignty even in judgment; He permitted this because of their persistent sin. Their refusal to walk in His ways and listen to His Word led to their being “despoiled” and left without rescue. The verse underscores that when God's people reject His guidance and commands, they become vulnerable to spiritual and physical subjugation, incurring His righteous anger. This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience and listening to God's voice.