Isaiah 42:21

42:20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. it: or, him

KJV

It pleased Yahweh, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law, and make it honorable.

The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.

42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. they are all: or, in snaring all the young men of them for a spoil: Heb. a treading

What does Isaiah 42:21 mean?

Isaiah 42:21 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh), חָפֵץ (châphêts), צֶדֶק (tsedeq). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

The

LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God

well

pleasedחָפֵץchâphêts/khaw-fates'/H2654properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

for

his

righteousness'צֶדֶקtsedeq/tseh'-dek/H6664the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

sake;

will

magnifyגָּדַלgâdal/gaw-dal'/H1431to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

the

law,תּוֹרָהtôwrâh/to-raw'/H8451a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch

and

make

honourable.אָדַרʼâdar/aw-dar'/H142to expand, i.e. be great or (figuratively) magnificent

it:

or,

him

Commentary on Isaiah 42:21

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 42:21

Observe, 1. Wicked children are an affliction to both their parents. They are an occasion of anger to the father (so the word signifies), because they contemn his authority, but of sorrow and bitterness to the mother, because they abuse her tenderness. The parents, being joint-sufferers, should therefore bring mutual comfort to bear them up under it, and strive to make it as easy as they can, the mother to mollify the father's anger, the father to alleviate the mother's grief. 2. That Solomon often repeats this remark, probably because it was his own case; however, it is a common case. 26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 9:17

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

Isaiah 10:19

And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them. few: Heb. number

James 1:19

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 3:2

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

James 3:18

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 42:21.

Psalms 51:19

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 42:21 say?

Isaiah 42:21 (King James Version) reads: "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. it: or, him"

Is Isaiah 42:21 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 42:21 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 42:21, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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