Isaiah 61 1

Isaiah 61:1 kjv

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Isaiah 61:1 nkjv

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Isaiah 61:1 niv

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Isaiah 61:1 esv

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Isaiah 61:1 nlt

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
for the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.

Isaiah 61 verses

Isaiah 61 1 Meaning

Isaiah 61:1 is a profound prophetic declaration by a divinely empowered Servant of the LORD. It outlines a comprehensive mission focused on spiritual and physical liberation, restoration, and comfort for the downtrodden, afflicted, and oppressed. The verse announces a ministry initiated and sustained by the Spirit of God, emphasizing the bringing of "good news"—a message of hope, inner healing, and freedom from various forms of bondage and despair to humanity.

Isaiah 61 1 Context

Isaiah 61 stands as a powerful prophecy within the book, typically considered part of "Third Isaiah" (chapters 56-66), focusing on restoration, comfort, and the establishment of a righteous new Israel following the Babylonian exile. This chapter immediately follows Isaiah 60, which describes the glorious light and ingathering of God's people. Isaiah 61 opens with the speaker, primarily understood as the Servant of the Lord or the Messiah, articulating his divinely appointed mission. Historically, the exiles faced deep despair, social inequality, and spiritual brokenness. The prophecy offers vivid hope, a future where their profound needs—both physical and spiritual—will be met by a special agent of God. The announcement of good tidings and liberty echoes the Jubilee year, a time of complete societal reset, but extends its meaning to an eternal, spiritual freedom from sin and oppression.

Isaiah 61 1 Word analysis

• The Spirit (Ruach רוּחַ) of the Lord GOD (Adonai YHWH אֲדֹנָי יְהֹוִה): Ruach signifies breath, wind, or the life-giving, empowering divine Spirit. Its presence denotes God's active, dynamic power. Adonai YHWH emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty and His covenant relationship, highlighting that the empowerment is from the ultimate authority.
• is upon me: Denotes divine empowerment, presence, and commissioning for a specific, ongoing task. It indicates an active, sustained operation of God's power through the speaker.
• because the LORD (YHWH יְהֹוָה) has anointed (mashach מָשַׁח) me: YHWH is God's personal covenant name. Mashach means to consecrate by smearing with oil, typically for a king, priest, or prophet. Here, it is a spiritual, divine anointing by God Himself for a messianic mission, designating the speaker as the "Messiah" or "Anointed One."
• to preach good tidings (basar בָּשַׂר) to the poor (anavim עֲנָוִים): Basar means to bring good news, often of victory or salvation, hence "gospel." Anavim refers not only to the economically poor but also to the humble, meek, afflicted, and those spiritually dependent on God, often facing marginalization or oppression.
• He has sent (shalach שָׁלַח) me: This verb emphasizes divine commission and authority, portraying the speaker as God's chosen messenger, carrying His divine mandate and purpose.
• to heal (chavash חָבַשׁ) the brokenhearted (shavur-lev שְׁבוּרֵי־לֵב): Chavash means to bind up, implying active mending, soothing, and restoring. Shavur-lev refers to those with deeply crushed spirits, experiencing profound emotional or spiritual devastation and despair. This promises comfort and inner restoration.
• to proclaim liberty (dror דְּרוֹר) to the captives (shevuyim שְׁבוּיִם): Dror is strongly associated with the Year of Jubilee (Lev 25:10), a time of total release from debts, servitude, and return of ancestral lands, signifying radical, widespread freedom. Shevuyim can refer to literal prisoners of war, or metaphorically, those enslaved by sin, spiritual darkness, or oppressive systems.
• and the opening (peqach-koach פְּקַח־כּוֹחַ) of the prison to those who are bound (asurim אֲסוּרִים): Peqach-koach can be interpreted as "opening wide" a prison, or even "opening the eyes" (to those in darkness/prison). Both convey a definitive release from confinement. Asurim means those who are physically chained, bound, or spiritually captive to sin and death. This signifies comprehensive freedom from all forms of constraint.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me": This passage establishes the speaker's unique divine authorization and power. The indwelling of the Spirit and the direct anointing by God Himself denote a special, Messianic calling, validating the profound nature of the mission.
• "to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me": This clearly articulates the core evangelistic and comforting nature of the mission. It is directed toward the vulnerable and lowly, offering hope. The phrase "He has sent me" underscores the divine origin and authoritative backing of this messenger.
• "to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound": These three interconnected purposes comprehensively detail the transformative impact of the mission. It progresses from addressing internal emotional anguish ("heal the brokenhearted") to effecting external and societal liberation ("proclaim liberty to captives") and culminating in a complete spiritual and physical release from bondage and darkness ("opening of the prison to those who are bound"). This represents a holistic redemption and restoration.

Isaiah 61 1 Bonus section

This prophecy, while having immediate resonance for the post-exilic community of Isaiah's time, finds its ultimate and climactic fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth, who explicitly quotes this very passage (specifically Isa 61:1-2a) in Luke 4:18-19 to declare His ministry at the outset of His public service. He consciously identifies Himself as the "Anointed One" (Messiah/Christ) empowered by the Spirit to perform these very tasks. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translates "the opening of the prison" (peqach-koach) as "recovery of sight for the blind" (ἀνάβλεψιν τυφλοῖς). This interpretation aligns perfectly with Jesus' numerous miracles of healing the physically blind and His broader ministry of opening the spiritual eyes of those in darkness, highlighting the multi-dimensional nature of the release envisioned by Isaiah and perfectly fulfilled by Christ.

Isaiah 61 1 Commentary

Isaiah 61:1 is a profoundly significant Messianic prophecy, presenting the foundational mission statement of the promised Deliverer. The verse portrays an individual uniquely endowed with the Holy Spirit by God to bring about a sweeping reversal of human suffering. The mission encompasses bringing spiritual comfort, material justice, and holistic freedom. "Good tidings to the poor" addresses the disenfranchised, offering them hope and the Kingdom message. "Healing the brokenhearted" ministers to profound inner anguish and despair. "Proclaiming liberty to captives" and "opening the prison" speak to liberation from all forms of physical, political, and spiritual bondage, harking back to the societal reset of the Jubilee Year. This comprehensive liberation is not merely a social program but a spiritual restoration enabled by God's Spirit, later directly affirmed and inaugurated by Jesus Christ Himself in Nazareth. The prophetic vision anticipates a new era of God's active presence and restoration through His Anointed One.