Bible/Isaiah/42

Isaiah 42:6

42:5 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:
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;

KJV

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“I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations;

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;

I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

What does Isaiah 42:6 mean?

Isaiah 42:6 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh), קָרָא (qârâʼ), צֶדֶק (tsedeq). It connects to 6 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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I
the
LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
have
calledקָרָאqârâʼ/kaw-raw'/H7121to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
thee
in
righteousness,צֶדֶקtsedeq/tseh'-dek/H6664the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
and
will
holdחָזַקchâzaq/khaw-zak'/H2388to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer
thine
hand,יָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
and
will
keepנָצַרnâtsar/naw-tsar'/H5341to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
thee,
and
giveנָתַןnâthan/naw-than'/H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
thee
for
a
covenantבְּרִיתbᵉrîyth/ber-eeth'/H1285a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
of
the
people,עַםʻam/am/H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
for
a
lightאוֹרʼôwr/ore/H216illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
of
the
Gentiles;גּוֹיgôwy/go'-ee/H1471a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Commentary on Isaiah 42:6

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 42:6
p" Note, 1. A word is enough to the wise. A gentle reproof will enter not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man, so as to have a strong influence upon him; for, if but a hint be given to conscience, let it alone to carry it on and prosecute it. 2. Stripes are not enough for a fool, to make him sensible of his errors, that he may repent of them, and be more cautious for the future. He that is sottish and wilful is very rarely benefited by severity. David is softened with, Thou art the man; but Pharaoh remains hard under all the plagues of Egypt. 11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

2 Samuel 17:8

For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. chafed: Heb. bitter of soul

2 Kings 2:24

And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

Isaiah 27:3

I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

Isaiah 28:15

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Hosea 13:8

I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. wild: Heb. beast of the field

Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Topics

Depravity of ManJesus, The ChristTypes of Christ

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 42:6.

Genesis 5:29

And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed. Noah: Gr. Noe: that is Rest, or, Comfort

Genesis 14:20

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Genesis 15:18

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 17:19

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Genesis 17:2

And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

Genesis 17:5

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. Abraham: that is, Father of a great multitude

Genesis 19:16

And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Genesis 2:19

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Adam: or, the man

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 42:6 say?

Isaiah 42:6 (King James Version) reads: "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;"

Is Isaiah 42:6 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 42:6 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 42:6, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Isaiah 42:6
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