King James Version

What Does Isaiah 42:1 Mean?

Isaiah 42:1 in the King James Version says “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 42:1 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

1

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.

2

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

3

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. smoking: or, dimly burning quench: Heb. quench it

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This inaugurates the first of four Servant Songs (42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12), revealing the Messiah's character and mission. 'Behold my servant' uses the Hebrew 'ebed (עֶבֶד), signifying both submission and intimate relationship—the same word describing Moses, David, and the prophets. Yet this Servant is unique: 'mine elect' (bachir, בָּחִיר) means chosen, selected by divine purpose before time. God's soul 'delighteth' (ratsah, רָצָה) in Him—expressing pleasure, favor, and complete satisfaction. This finds fulfillment at Jesus's baptism when the Father declares, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased' (Matthew 3:17), echoing Isaiah's language precisely. The promise 'I have put my spirit upon him' describes the Spirit's anointing without measure (John 3:34), equipping Him for mission. 'He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles' (mishpat la-goyim) reveals the Servant's global scope—not merely Israel but all nations. Mishpat encompasses justice, righteousness, and God's revealed will. Christ came to establish God's kingdom of righteousness for all peoples.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written around 700 BC during Isaiah's ministry to Judah under kings Uzziah through Hezekiah. The 'Servant Songs' puzzled Jewish interpreters—was the Servant Israel collectively, a remnant, or an individual? The suffering described seemed incompatible with messianic expectations of a conquering king. The Septuagint (Greek translation, 250 BC) rendered this passage carefully, preserving its messianic potential. Jesus explicitly applied the Servant identity to Himself (Luke 22:37). The early church saw unmistakable fulfillment: Matthew quotes verse 1 regarding Jesus's ministry (Matthew 12:18-21), identifying Him as the prophesied Servant who would proclaim justice to Gentiles.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Father's delight in His Servant Jesus challenge you to seek God's approval over human recognition?
  2. What does it mean that the Messiah would bring 'judgment to the Gentiles'—how does this reveal God's inclusive salvation plan from the beginning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הֵ֤ן1 of 13
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

עַבְדִּי֙2 of 13

“Behold my servant”

H5650

a servant

אֶתְמָךְ3 of 13

“whom I uphold”

H8551

to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close

בּ֔וֹ4 of 13
H0
בְּחִירִ֖י5 of 13

“mine elect”

H972

select

רָצְתָ֣ה6 of 13

“delighteth”

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

נַפְשִׁ֑י7 of 13

“in whom my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

נָתַ֤תִּי8 of 13

“I have put”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

רוּחִי֙9 of 13

“my spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

עָלָ֔יו10 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִשְׁפָּ֖ט11 of 13

“judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

לַגּוֹיִ֥ם12 of 13

“to the Gentiles”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

יוֹצִֽיא׃13 of 13

“upon him he shall bring forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 42:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 42:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 12:18-21Luke 3:22Isaiah 52:13Isaiah 43:10Isaiah 61:1Philippians 2:7

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