Isaiah 42:6

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 {H3068} have called {H7121} thee in righteousness {H6664}, and will hold {H2388} thine hand {H3027}, and will keep {H5341} thee, and give {H5414} thee for a covenant {H1285} of the people {H5971}, for a light {H216} of the Gentiles {H1471};

"I, ADONAI, called you righteously, I took hold of you by the hand, I shaped you and made you a covenant for the people, to be a light for the Goyim,

“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,

I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Isaiah 42:6 is a pivotal verse within the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah, specifically introducing the role and mission of the LORD's chosen Servant. This verse outlines the divine commission given to the Servant, highlighting His righteous calling, God's unwavering support, and His dual purpose: to be a covenant for the people of Israel and a source of light for the Gentile nations.

Context

This verse is part of the first of the Servant Songs (Isaiah 42:1-9). These passages introduce a mysterious figure, the Servant of the LORD, whose identity and work are central to the prophet's message of redemption and restoration. Chapters 40-55 of Isaiah, often called the "Book of Comfort," address the people of Israel during their Babylonian exile, offering hope based on God's power and faithfulness. The Servant is presented as the agent through whom God will accomplish His purposes for Israel and the world. While there are interpretations that see the Servant as Israel or a remnant of Israel, Christian tradition primarily understands the Servant, particularly in verses like this, as a prophetic foretelling of Jesus Christ.

Key Themes

  • Divine Calling and Righteousness: The LORD declares that He has called the Servant "in righteousness." This emphasizes the Servant's intrinsic righteousness and the just nature of God's selection and mission for Him.
  • God's Support and Protection: The promise "will hold thine hand, and will keep thee" signifies God's intimate presence, guidance, and protection over the Servant. This assurance underpins the Servant's ability to fulfill His challenging role.
  • Covenant for the People: The Servant is given "for a covenant of the people." This suggests the Servant Himself embodies or establishes the means by which God's covenant promises to Israel are renewed and fulfilled. It points towards a new relationship between God and His people established through the Servant's work. For more on the concept of a new covenant, see Jeremiah 31:31.
  • Light of the Gentiles: The Servant's mission extends beyond Israel to include the non-Jewish nations. Being a "light of the Gentiles" implies bringing salvation, truth, and hope to those previously in spiritual darkness. This universal aspect of the Servant's work is a significant theme carried into the New Testament, where it is explicitly applied to Jesus Christ (e.g., see Luke 2:32 and Acts 13:47).

Linguistic Insights

The term "covenant" (Hebrew: berith) is central to Israel's relationship with God. Giving the Servant "for a covenant" is a strong statement, suggesting the Servant plays a vital role in the very structure of this relationship. The term "light" (Hebrew: 'or) is often used metaphorically in scripture for salvation, truth, and God's presence, contrasting with darkness which represents ignorance, sin, and judgment.

Reflection and Application

This verse beautifully encapsulates the expansive nature of God's redemptive plan. It reveals that God's intention was always to reach beyond Israel to the entire world through His chosen Servant. For believers today, understanding this verse reinforces the global mission of Christianity, echoing the Great Commission. It also assures us that just as God held the hand and kept His Servant (ultimately fulfilled in Christ), He also guides and protects those who follow Him. We are called to reflect this light of Christ to the world, participating in the ongoing fulfillment of this prophecy.

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.

  • Luke 2:32

    A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

  • Acts 13:47

    For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

  • Isaiah 49:8

    Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

  • John 8:12

    ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  • Isaiah 49:6

    And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • Jeremiah 23:5

    Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back