Isaiah 42:5 kjv
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
Isaiah 42:5 nkjv
Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it:
Isaiah 42:5 niv
This is what God the LORD says? the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:
Isaiah 42:5 esv
Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:
Isaiah 42:5 nlt
God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out.
He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is he who says,
Isaiah 42 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 42:5 | Thus says God the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people who are on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: | (Isa 40:28, Ps 124:8, Jer 32:17) |
| Genesis 1:1 | In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. | (Gen 2:1, Neh 9:6, Ps 146:6) |
| Psalm 33:6 | By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. | (Ps 104:2, Job 26:13, Prov 8:27) |
| Psalm 136:5-6 | To him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; who made the heavens with wisdom, for his steadfast love endures forever; who spread the earth upon the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; | (Ps 104:5, Jer 10:12, Jer 51:15) |
| Jeremiah 10:12 | He made the earth by his power, he established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding he stretched out the heavens. | (Jer 51:15, Ps 147:7-8, Acts 17:24) |
| Jeremiah 32:17 | Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. | (Jer 27:5, Ps 33:6, Rom 15:19) |
| Acts 17:24-25 | The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by hand, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all man life and breath and all things. | (Neh 9:6, Ps 104:27-28, Job 12:9-10) |
| Job 12:9-10 | Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In whose hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind? | (Job 38:36, Ps 104:29-30, Isa 64:8) |
| Nehemiah 9:6 | You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you. | (Gen 1:1, Isa 40:26, Ps 148:1-5) |
| Psalm 147:7-8 | Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the harp! He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. | (Isa 55:10, Jer 10:13, Job 38:25-26) |
| Revelation 4:11 | “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” | (Rev 5:12-13, Col 1:16, Heb 1:2) |
Isaiah 42 verses
Isaiah 42 5 Meaning
This verse declares that God is the creator of the heavens and earth. He is the one who spreads out the heavens, has stretched out the earth, and sustains all life on it. This signifies His supreme power, vast dominion, and faithful preservation of His creation.
Isaiah 42 5 Context
Isaiah chapter 42 opens with God presenting His Servant, who will bring justice to the nations. The preceding verses (42:1-4) describe this Servant's character – he will not cry out, nor lift up his voice, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a faintly burning wick, and he will faithfully bring forth justice. This verse (42:5) then establishes God's supreme authority and power as the Creator. This authority underpins the commission given to the Servant. The immediate context is setting the stage for the Servant's mission by emphasizing the ultimate power and sovereignty of the God who sends him. Historically, this speaks to the exilic or post-exilic audience of Isaiah, reinforcing their faith in the God who is in control of all creation, even during times of hardship and exile.
Isaiah 42 5 Word Analysis
- Thus says (כה אמר - koh 'amar): This is a standard prophetic formula introducing a divine utterance, signaling the authority of the message.
- God (אלהים - 'Elohiym): A common Hebrew name for God, often used in the context of God as Creator and sovereign ruler of the universe.
- the LORD (יהוה - Yahweh): The covenantal name of God, revealing His personal relationship and faithfulness to His people. Its inclusion here links His creative power with His redemptive acts.
- who created (ברא - bara'): This verb exclusively denotes divine creation, indicating something brought into existence ex nihilo (out of nothing) by God alone.
- the heavens (שמים - shamayim): Refers to the sky, the atmosphere, and the celestial realms. It represents the expanse above the earth.
- and stretched them out (נטה - natáh): Implies an active, intentional expansion, as if unfurling or spreading out a tent or canopy. It signifies God's deliberate ordering and structuring of the cosmos.
- and spread out (ר־קע - raqá'): This verb, also used in Genesis 1, signifies "to beat out" or "to stamp," suggesting a firm, solid firmament created over the earth. It emphasizes the stability and extent of the earth.
- the earth (ארץ - ’erets): Refers to the terrestrial world, the land.
- and what comes from it (ויוצא מהם - we-yo'tsaeh mi-hem): This phrase encapsulates everything that the earth produces or brings forth – the plant life, the soil, and by extension, the processes that sustain life upon the earth.
- who gives breath (הנתן - ha-notén): "to give," indicating a continuous act of provision.
- breath (נשמה - neshamah): The vital breath of life, often associated with the spirit or soul.
- to the people (לעם - la-‘am): "to the people," specifying humanity.
- who are on it (עליו - ‘alayw): Directly indicating life upon the earth.
- and spirit (ורוח - we-ruach): While 'neshamah' is the physical breath, 'ruach' can denote spirit, vital force, or even character/disposition. In this context, it signifies the animating principle, the life-force that enables conscious activity and volition.
- to those who walk on it (ל־הלך־ב־ם - la-halekh-bam): Those who move about on the earth, highlighting the dynamic aspect of life that God sustains and empowers.
Words Group Analysis
- "God the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it": This grouping emphasizes God's sovereignty through His comprehensive creative acts. The repetition of creative verbs and the encompassing scope from heavens to earth and its produce highlight His omnipotence and control over all existence.
- "who gives breath to the people who are on it, and spirit to those who walk on it": This phrase focuses on God's continuous sustenanc of life. He not only created but actively preserves and animates humanity, bestowing both physical life (breath) and the capacity for agency and spirit (ruach) that allows them to function and move upon the earth.
Isaiah 42 5 Bonus Section
The concept of God breathing life into creation is found throughout Scripture, notably in Genesis 2:7 where God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature." This parallel strongly suggests that the "breath" and "spirit" God gives in Isaiah 42:5 is not merely a biological function but also a connection to His divine enabling and animation, aligning with how the Holy Spirit functions in the New Testament to empower believers. The verse also prepares the way for understanding the Servant's mission, as the Creator of all is the one sending forth His chosen Servant to bring justice.
Isaiah 42 5 Commentary
This verse is a powerful affirmation of God's absolute power as Creator and Sustainer. It's a declaration of His inherent authority, which is the basis for His covenantal promises and the authority of His Servant. The focus on "breath" and "spirit" connects His creative work to the intimate provisioning of life for humanity. This divine active involvement in creation underscores that God is not a distant deistic clockmaker, but an immanent, caring preserver of all that He has made, especially His people. This truth provides comfort and assurance, especially for those facing adversity, as it assures them that the one who controls the universe is their God and Father.