Isaiah 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.
But this is a people {H5971} robbed {H962} and spoiled {H8154}; they are all of them snared {H6351} in holes {H2352}{H970}, and they are hid {H2244} in prison {H3608} houses {H1004}: they are for a prey {H957}, and none delivereth {H5337}; for a spoil {H4933}, and none saith {H559}, Restore {H7725}.
But this is a people pillaged and plundered, all trapped in holes and sequestered in prisons. They are there to be plundered, with no one to rescue them; there to be pillaged, and no one says, "Return them!"
But this is a people plundered and looted, all trapped in caves or imprisoned in dungeons. They have become plunder with no one to rescue them, and loot with no one to say, โSend them back!โ
But this is a people robbed and plundered; 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.
Cross-References
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Psalms 102:20
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; -
Jeremiah 50:17
Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones. -
Isaiah 51:23
But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over. -
Psalms 50:22
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear [you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver. -
Isaiah 18:2
That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, [saying], Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! -
Isaiah 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. -
Isaiah 52:4
For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
Commentary
Commentary on Isaiah 42:22 (KJV)
Isaiah 42:22 vividly portrays the desolate state of God's chosen people, Israel, highlighting the severe consequences of their disobedience and spiritual blindness. This verse serves as a stark contrast to the preceding description of the coming Servant of the Lord, who would bring light and deliverance to the nations.
Context
Chapter 42 of Isaiah introduces the first of four "Servant Songs," which primarily describe the Messiah and His mission (verses 1-9). The Servant is depicted as one who will bring forth justice, be a light to the Gentiles, and open blind eyes. However, immediately following this glorious prophecy, the focus shifts dramatically to Israel (often called Jacob or My servant in Isaiah), who, despite being God's chosen, have failed in their calling. Verses 18-25 lament Israel's spiritual deafness and blindness, leading to their current predicament. Isaiah 42:22 describes the direct result of their rebellion: a people plundered and imprisoned, with no one to rescue them.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew terms used are quite impactful. "Robbed and spoiled" translates the verbs gazal (ืึธึผืึทื) and shasah (ืฉึธืืกึธื), which convey violent seizure and plundering, indicating that their suffering was inflicted by external forces. "Snared in holes" (ืึธืคึตืึท ืึฐึผืืึผืจึดืื - hafeach b'churim) literally means "trapped in pits," often used for animal traps, suggesting an inescapable and sudden capture. "Prison houses" (ืึธึผืชึตึผื ืึฐึผืึธื - battei kela) refers to places of confinement, reinforcing the theme of utter loss of freedom.
Practical Application
Isaiah 42:22 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and disobedience. Just as ancient Israel faced dire consequences for turning away from God, individuals and nations today can experience various forms of "captivity" or "spoiling" when they disregard divine principles. This verse reminds us that true freedom and restoration come only through adherence to God's ways. While the verse describes a moment of despair, the broader context of Isaiah points to God's ultimate faithfulness and His plan for redemption through the Servant, Jesus Christ, who delivers us from the spiritual prisons of sin and death. It encourages us to seek deliverance from our own spiritual "snares" and to remember that God's discipline, though painful, often precedes a season of restoration and renewed relationship, as promised in Isaiah 43:1.
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