Isaiah 42

Isaiah 42 is the forty-second chapter of the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies spoken by the prophet Isaiah, and is a part of the Book of the Prophets.^[1][2] This chapter contains a poem that is a part of "Servant songs" in the Book of Isaiah.

Text

• The original text is written in Hebrew language.
• This chapter is divided into 25 verses.

Textual versions

Some most ancient manuscripts containing this chapter in Hebrew language:

• Masoretic Text (10th century)
• Dead Sea Scrolls: (2nd century BC)^[3]
  • 1QIsa^a: complete
  • 4QIsa^g (4Q61): extant: verses 14‑25
  • 4QIsa^h (4Q62): extant: verses 2, 4‑11
  • 4QIsaⁱ (4Q62^a): extant: verses 4‑11

Ancient translations in Koine Greek:

• Septuagint (3rd century BC)
• Theodotion version (~AD 180)

Verse 1

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,

My Elect One in whom My soul delights!

I have put My Spirit upon Him;

He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.” (NKJV)^[4]

• Cross reference: Isaiah 44:1, Jeremiah 30:10
• Cited in Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22

Christian tradition

The Synoptic Gospels each allude to verse 1 of Isaiah 42 during the Baptism of Jesus, when the Holy Spirit descends like a dove upon Jesus and a "voice from heaven" acclaims Him as "My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22).

In Matthew 12, Isaiah 42:1-4 were cited as a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies in the life and work of Jesus Christ:

And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Yet He warned them not to make Him known, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,

My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!

I will put My Spirit upon Him,

And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

He will not quarrel nor cry out,

Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.

A bruised reed He will not break,

And smoking flax He will not quench,

Till He sends forth justice to victory;

And in His name Gentiles will trust.”^[5]

See also

• Christian messianic prophecies
• Christianity and Judaism
• Jewish messianism
• Messianic prophecies of Jesus
• New Covenant, Replacement theology
• Related Bible parts: Isaiah 44, Isaiah 49, Isaiah 50, Isaiah 52, Isaiah 53, Jeremiah 30, Matthew 3; Matthew 12, Mark 1, Luke 3

Notes and references

External links

Jewish

• Isaiah 42: Hebrew with Parallel English

Christian

• Isaiah 42 English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate
• Catholic Encyclopedia: Messiah
• Israel, the Suffering Servant