Bible Commentary

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, [and] them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 7. to open [the] blind eyes ] The subject of this and the following verb might be either Jehovah or His Servant, and the point is not quite settled by ch. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 42:7”

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 6. called thee in righteousness ] i.e. in accordance with a stedfast and consistent purpose. See Appendix, Note II, and cf. ch. Isa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 42:6”

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: 5 9. Jehovah’s promise to Israel, based on the preceding description. God … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 42:5”

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 4. His constancy. The words fail and be discouraged correspond in the original to “dimly burning” and “broken” in Isa 42:3. (See R.V. marg.) The former is used of the failing eyesight … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 42:4”

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 3. His gentleness towards the downtrodden expiring good in men. the smoking flax ] R.V. marg. the dimly burning wick. The metaphor (like the preceding) involves a litotes: the meaning is that instead … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 42:3”

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 2. The Servant’s unobtrusive manner of working. Not by clamorous self-assertion in the high places of the world, but by silent spiritual influences his great work shall be accomplished. Comp. the striking application in Mat 12:17 ff. This … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 42:2”

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 1. The election, equipment, and mission of the Servant. Behold my servant ] LXX. reads (“Jacob my servant”) and in the next line, (“Israel my chosen”). whom … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 42:1”

Behold, they [are] all vanity; their works [are] nothing: their molten images [are] wind and confusion. 29. The last word of the argument. all of them (R.V.)] idols and worshippers together. their works ] are the images of the gods, “the work of men’s hands” (parallel to “molten images” below). confusion ] “nothingness” chaos (see … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 41:29”

For I beheld, and [there was] no man; even among them, and [there was] no counselor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word. 28. For I beheld, and there was] Rather as R.V. And when I look, there is. Cf. Isa 50:2 even amongst them ] Better: and among these, viz., the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 41:28”

The first [shall say] to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings. 27. The first behold them ] A very perplexing sentence: lit. “A first one to Zion, Behold, behold them!” We may render (nearly as R.V.) (I) first (have said) to Zion, Behold, etc. Or we … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 41:27”