Isaiah 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:

Thus saith {H559} God {H410} the LORD {H3068}, he that created {H1254} the heavens {H8064}, and stretched them out {H5186}; he that spread forth {H7554} the earth {H776}, and that which cometh out {H6631} of it; he that giveth {H5414} breath {H5397} unto the people {H5971} upon it, and spirit {H7307} to them that walk {H1980} therein:

Thus says God, ADONAI, who created the heavens and spread them out, who stretched out the earth and all that grows from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it:

This is what God the LORD says— He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:

Thus saith God Jehovah, he that created the heavens, and stretched them forth; he that spread abroad 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:

Context

Isaiah 42:5 stands as a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and creative power, serving as an introduction to the first of the "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 42:1-4, 5-9). In these prophecies, the prophet Isaiah begins to unveil the identity and mission of God's chosen Servant, who will bring justice and light to the nations. Before introducing this Servant, God establishes His own credentials as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer, emphasizing that the one who sends the Servant is none other than the Almighty God. This context reassures the audience—Israel, then in or facing exile—that God's promises, including those concerning the Servant, are backed by His infinite power and authority.

Key Themes

  • Divine Creation and Sovereignty: The verse opens by identifying God as the one who "created the heavens, and stretched them out," and "spread forth the earth." This highlights God's role as the sole architect of the universe, affirming His supreme authority over all creation. This foundational truth underscores His ability to accomplish His purposes, including His plans for His people and the coming Servant. For more on God's creative power, see Genesis 1:1.
  • Sustainer of Life: Beyond creation, God is presented as the active sustainer of life. He is "he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein." This demonstrates God's intimate involvement in the ongoing existence of humanity, providing not just physical life but also the animating "spirit" or life force that enables existence and consciousness.
  • God's Unquestionable Authority: The phrase "Thus saith God the LORD" (Yahweh in Hebrew) asserts the divine origin and infallible truth of the message that follows. It positions God as the ultimate source of revelation and power, ensuring that His subsequent declarations about the Servant are trustworthy and will be fulfilled.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew term for "LORD" here is YHWH (Yahweh), the personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises.
  • The verse distinguishes between "breath" (Hebrew: neshamah) and "spirit" (Hebrew: ruach). While both relate to life, neshamah often refers to the breath of life given to humans at creation (as seen in Genesis 2:7), and ruach can denote the animating life force, spirit, or even the Spirit of God Himself, signifying the deeper vitality and consciousness He imparts.

Significance and Application

Isaiah 42:5 serves as a powerful reminder of who God is: the all-powerful Creator and Sustainer of all life. For ancient Israel, this declaration would have been a source of immense comfort and hope, assuring them that the God who controls the cosmos is the same God who guides their destiny and sends His Servant. For believers today, this verse provides a foundation for faith and trust. If God is capable of creating and sustaining the vast universe and every living being within it, then He is certainly capable of handling our personal struggles, fulfilling His promises, and guiding us through life's challenges. It calls us to recognize His immense power and to rely on His unfailing provision, knowing that our very existence is a testament to His ongoing care and divine will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 40:22

    [It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

  • Isaiah 45:12

    I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even] my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

  • Zechariah 12:1

    ¶ The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

  • Jeremiah 10:12

    He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

  • Isaiah 48:13

    Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: [when] I call unto them, they stand up together.

  • Psalms 104:2

    Who coverest [thyself] with light as [with] a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

  • Psalms 104:35

    Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

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