Isaiah 42:18-25 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Israel's Piteous Plight, a Punishment from Yahweh. The prophet bids the people, who have not recognised Yahweh's working in their distresses, look beneath the surface. To all appearance they are captives whom none can deliver. Will none of them see that Yahweh Himself is the author of their misfortune? He has chastised them, though they have not understood the discipline.

Isaiah 42:19. A gloss, identifying the blind and deaf of Isaiah 42:18; a second gloss (Isaiah 42:19 b) has been added. Both take Yahweh's Servant to be Israel. at peace with me: difficult; perhaps read, my devoted one.

Isaiah 42:21. Probably editorial.

Isaiah 42:22. Figurative reference to the restraints of captivity.

Isaiah 42:23. this: i.e. the truths of Isaiah 42:24 f. for. come: however deaf hitherto.

Isaiah 42:24. All after robbers is a pious insertion. Read, they sinned (LXX).

Isaiah 42:25. Continues question of Isaiah 42:24. Render, Who poured. ?

Related Commentaries of Isaiah 42:18

Isaiah 42:18-25

18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?

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

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

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.

23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?

24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.

25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.