Isaiah 42:4 kjv
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Isaiah 42:4 nkjv
He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law."
Isaiah 42:4 niv
he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope."
Isaiah 42:4 esv
He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
Isaiah 42:4 nlt
He will not falter or lose heart
until justice prevails throughout the earth.
Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction. "
Isaiah 42 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 12:18-21 | "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen... He will not quarrel or cry aloud... nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope." | Direct NT fulfillment and application to Jesus |
| Isa 50:7 | "But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced... I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." | The Servant's steadfast resolve |
| Heb 12:3 | "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." | Jesus' endurance as an example |
| Phil 2:8-9 | "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross... God has highly exalted him..." | Jesus' steadfast obedience to completion |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | "When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." | Jesus' unretaliating perseverance |
| Isa 40:28-31 | "The Lord is the everlasting God... He does not faint or grow weary... those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength..." | Contrast to human frailty; God's unwearying nature mirrored in Servant |
| Isa 9:7 | "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end... he will establish it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore." | Messiah's reign of eternal justice |
| Isa 11:4-5 | "He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth... Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins." | Messiah's just and righteous rule |
| Jer 23:5-6 | "I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king... He shall execute justice and righteousness in the land." | Messiah as the source of justice |
| Ps 72:1-4 | "May he judge your people with righteousness... May he defend the cause of the poor..." | King's role in establishing justice and equity |
| Ps 96:13 | "For he comes... to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness." | Universal divine judgment and justice |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | Universal reach of the Servant's salvation |
| Isa 60:3 | "Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." | Gentiles drawn to the divine light |
| Zech 9:9-10 | "Behold, your king is coming to you... His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth." | Messiah's global dominion and peace |
| Acts 13:47 | "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." | Apostles apply Isa 49:6 to their Gentile mission |
| Rom 15:12 | "The root of Jesse will come... in him the Gentiles will hope." | Gentile hope in the Messiah (quoting Isa 11:10) |
| Gen 12:3 | "In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." | The original promise of universal blessing |
| Lam 3:25-26 | "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." | Wisdom of patient waiting for the Lord's action |
| Ps 130:5-6 | "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning..." | Eager expectation and hope |
| Isa 2:3 | "For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." | Source of divine law and instruction for all nations |
| Mic 4:2 | "For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." | Echo of Isa 2:3, longing for God's instruction |
| Jer 31:33 | "But this is the covenant... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts." | New Covenant: Internalization of divine law |
Isaiah 42 verses
Isaiah 42 4 Meaning
Isaiah 42:4 prophesies the unwavering character and ultimate success of the Lord's Servant in establishing divine justice throughout the entire world. It depicts a figure of unparalleled perseverance who will neither weaken nor become disheartened in his mission. His purpose is to bring forth mishpat—comprehensive righteousness, equity, and order—to all the earth. Distant nations, symbolized by the "coastlands," will not only acknowledge his authority but eagerly await his divine instruction and wisdom.
Isaiah 42 4 Context
Isaiah 42:4 is part of the first of Isaiah's four "Servant Songs" (Isa 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12), which collectively detail the mission, suffering, and triumph of the mysterious "Servant of the Lord." This specific verse establishes the Servant's unique character as one who will not fail or yield, and defines the global scope and enduring nature of his mission. Coming after verses describing the Servant's gentle method and divine empowerment, verse 4 assures the audience of the inevitable fulfillment of his purpose.
Historically, Isaiah spoke during a period of geopolitical turmoil and national decline for Israel, characterized by Assyrian threats and eventually the Babylonian exile. The prophecies provided comfort and hope of future restoration through a divine agent. The original audience would have yearned for a righteous ruler to deliver them and establish true justice, contrasting with the oppressive rule of empires and the spiritual failings of their own leaders. This prophecy offers a sharp polemic against human weakness, corruption, and the ephemeral nature of earthly powers, by presenting an unfailing divine agent who would bring an enduring and universal reign of justice, a standard entirely different from the Pax Romana or any other earthly political order.
Isaiah 42 4 Word analysis
- He will not grow faint (לֹא יִכְהֶה, lo' yikhheh):
- Lo' (לֹא): A strong negation, "not" or "never."
- Yikhheh (יִכְהֶה): From the verb kahah (כָּהָה), meaning "to be dim, fade, grow weak, quenched, or languid." It can refer to eyesight fading (Zech 11:17) or a fire going out (Isa 43:17). Here, it emphasizes that the Servant's zeal, strength, and light will not diminish. He is unwearied and maintains full spiritual vitality. This contrasts with human leaders who inevitably tire or falter.
- or be discouraged (וְלֹא יָרוּץ, wəlo' yārûṣ):
- Wəlo' (וְלֹא): "And not," reinforcing the negative.
- Yārûṣ (יָרוּץ): From the verb ratsats (רָצַץ), meaning "to crush, break, be shattered, be disheartened." It implies external pressure or internal despondency that would lead to collapse. The Servant will not be broken by opposition, persecution, or despair. His inner resolve is indestructible. Some translations (KJV "be discouraged") suggest psychological resilience, while others ("broken") emphasize physical endurance against opposition.
- until he has established justice (עַד־יָשִׂים מִשְׁפָּט, ʿad-yāśîm mišpāṭ):
- ʿAd (עַד): "Until," indicating the definite and inevitable goal and the full duration of his steadfastness.
- Yāśîm (יָשִׂים): From the verb sîm (שׂים), meaning "to place, set, establish, appoint." It implies active, authoritative, and permanent instatement.
- Mišpāṭ (מִשְׁפָּט): This is a rich and crucial term. It means "justice, judgment, righteousness, right order, custom, statute, divine decree." It encompasses not just legal fairness, but ethical, social, and cosmic righteousness. It is the perfect, equitable ordering of creation according to God's will. The Servant will not just talk about justice, but will authoritatively implement and secure it.
- in the earth (בָּאָרֶץ, bāʾāreṣ):
- Bāʾāreṣ (בָּאָרֶץ): "In the earth" or "in the land." In this context, given the following phrase, it refers to the entire inhabited world, indicating a universal and global scope of his justice, transcending national or ethnic boundaries.
- and the coastlands will wait (וְלָאִיִּים יְיַחֵילוּ, wəlāʾiyyîm yəyaḥēlû):
- Wəlāʾiyyîm (וְלָאִיִּים): "And the coastlands/islands." Refers to distant lands and the nations inhabiting them, typically meaning the Gentiles. It represents the uttermost parts of the earth, geographically and metaphorically.
- Yəyaḥēlû (יְיַחֵילוּ): From the verb yaḥal (יָחַל), meaning "to wait for, hope for, expect eagerly, long for." This isn't passive waiting, but an active, expectant anticipation and longing. It shows a profound desire among distant peoples for what the Servant offers.
- for his law (תּוֹרָתוֹ, tōrātô):
- Tōrātô (תּוֹרָתוֹ): "His law, his instruction, his teaching, his Torah." This is not merely legal code but divine revelation, guidance, and wisdom. It suggests a longing for the Servant's authoritative moral and spiritual direction that establishes right order. The Gentiles will not merely submit, but yearn for his authoritative teaching.
- He will not grow faint or be discouraged: This phrase powerfully describes the Servant's inner resolve and endurance. Unlike human endeavors, which often wane or are overcome by opposition, his mission is marked by divine, unyielding strength and purpose. This is a characteristic rooted in God himself (Isa 40:28), implying the Servant embodies divine perseverance.
- until he has established justice in the earth: This clarifies the specific goal of the Servant's unwearying activity: the global, authoritative, and permanent institution of mishpat. His steadfastness is not an end in itself but is fully committed to the fulfillment of this grand objective. The "until" implies completion and full victory.
- and the coastlands will wait for his law: This speaks to the universal impact and positive reception of the Servant's mission. Distant Gentile nations, previously alienated from God, will recognize the supreme value of his instruction and actively desire it. This highlights a longing for the truth and ethical guidance that only the Servant can provide. It prefigures the expansion of God's saving truth beyond Israel.
Isaiah 42 4 Bonus section
This verse is central to understanding the nature of Messianic prophecy. It emphasizes not only the divine empowerment of the Servant but also his active, enduring, and global engagement in restoring God's order. The contrast between a seemingly gentle method (verse 3 mentions not breaking a bruised reed) and such resolute perseverance reveals the paradox of God's strength being manifest in unexpected ways, a characteristic deeply resonant with the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. The "law" (Torah) sought by the coastlands signifies a spiritual teaching or divine revelation, aligning with the concept of God's Word going out to the nations and changing hearts rather than mere enforcement of legal codes. This "Torah" includes grace and truth, becoming the foundational instruction for a renewed humanity.
Isaiah 42 4 Commentary
Isaiah 42:4 presents the indomitable nature of the Lord's Servant and the glorious outcome of his mission. His resolute character, underscored by his unwavering determination to not grow faint or discouraged, is critical to his success. This divine quality means he will see his purpose through, despite any opposition or challenge. The ultimate goal is the establishment of comprehensive justice (mišpāṭ) throughout the entire earth—a global restoration of divine order, fairness, and righteousness. This isn't just a political or legal reform, but a moral and spiritual reordering of human affairs. Furthermore, the anticipation from the "coastlands" underscores the Servant's universal appeal and impact, signifying a worldwide recognition and longing for his divine instruction. The world, tired of chaos and injustice, will eagerly embrace his authoritative wisdom. This Servant stands in stark contrast to the fallible and often failing human kings and judges, ensuring a final, unwavering, and globally relevant rule of truth and righteousness.