Isaiah 42:7

KJV

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, [and] them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

KJV (with Strong's)

To open {H6491} the blind {H5787} eyes {H5869}, to bring out {H3318} the prisoners {H616} from the prison {H4525}, and them that sit {H3427} in darkness {H2822} out of the prison {H3608} house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that you can open blind eyes, free the prisoners from confinement, those living in darkness from the dungeon.

Berean Standard Bible

to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

American Standard Version

to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 42:7, a profound declaration within the first of the Servant Songs, unveils the comprehensive mission of God's chosen Servant. This verse powerfully describes a work of liberation, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions. It portrays the Servant's divine mandate to bring sight to the physically and spiritually blind, to release those held captive in literal and metaphorical prisons, and to lead out those who dwell in the deepest spiritual darkness. This prophetic utterance anticipates a transformative work of redemption, bringing light, freedom, and understanding to a world steeped in bondage and ignorance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 42:7 is situated within the "First Servant Song" (Isaiah 42:1-9), a foundational prophecy introducing a mysterious figure, the Servant of the Lord. The preceding verses (Isaiah 42:1-4) establish the Servant's gentle, just, and unwavering character, empowered by God's Spirit to bring forth justice to the nations without breaking a bruised reed or quenching a dimly burning wick. Verse 5 reiterates God's sovereignty as Creator, setting the stage for His covenantal promise to the Servant in verse 6, where the Servant is designated "a covenant for the people, a light for the Gentiles." Verse 7 then specifies the tangible outcomes of this divine mission, detailing the Servant's work of opening eyes and releasing captives, which is further elaborated in the subsequent verses (Isaiah 42:8-9) that emphasize God's unique glory and the new things He declares.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Isaiah, particularly chapters 40-55, addresses the exilic and post-exilic community of Israel. They were a people in physical captivity in Babylon, but also suffering from spiritual blindness and despair, having failed to uphold their covenant with God. The imagery of "blind eyes," "prisoners," and "darkness" would have resonated deeply with their lived experience of oppression and their spiritual condition. In the ancient Near East, kings and deities were often depicted as bringers of justice and light, but here, God's Servant transcends these earthly ideals, promising a liberation that is both political and profoundly spiritual. The concept of "light" contrasting with "darkness" was a universal symbol for knowledge versus ignorance, life versus death, and divine presence versus absence, making the Servant's mission universally significant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout Isaiah. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Redemption**, showcasing God's active intervention to rescue His people and the nations. It highlights the **Messianic Hope**, as the Servant's mission of universal liberation and enlightenment points forward to a future deliverer who will fulfill these prophecies. The theme of **Light and Darkness** is central, with the Servant acting as the conduit through whom God's illuminating truth pierces spiritual ignorance and despair, transforming the state of those who [sit in darkness](/isaiah/9-2 "Isaiah 9:2 - Those who walked in darkness have seen a great light"). Furthermore, it emphasizes **Justice and Liberation**, not merely in a socio-political sense, but primarily as a spiritual emancipation from the bondage of sin and false understanding, echoing the broader call for [freedom from oppression](/isaiah/58-6 "Isaiah 58:6 - Loose the bonds of wickedness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Open (Hebrew, _pâqach'_):** H6491, a primitive root meaning "to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant." This word implies not just a physical unsealing of the eyes but also a spiritual awakening, enabling perception and understanding where there was previously none. It suggests a divine intervention that removes barriers to sight and comprehension, leading to a profound shift in one's state.
* **Blind (Hebrew, _ʻivvêr'_):** H5787, an intensive form meaning "blind (literally or figuratively)." While it denotes a physical condition, in prophetic contexts, it frequently symbolizes spiritual inability to discern God's truth, His will, or His presence. The Servant's mission is to address this profound spiritual incapacity, bringing revelation and clarity.
* **Darkness (Hebrew, _chôshek'_):** H2822, from a root meaning "to be dark"; hence (literally) "darkness"; figuratively, "misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness." This term encompasses a wide range of negative states, from literal absence of light to spiritual and moral depravity, despair, and the absence of divine truth. The Servant's work is to dispel this comprehensive darkness with light and truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To open the blind eyes":** This clause speaks to the restoration of sight, both physical and spiritual. On a physical level, it foreshadows miraculous healings. More profoundly, it signifies the removal of spiritual ignorance and the ability to perceive divine truth, to understand God's ways, and to recognize His presence. It implies a transition from a state of spiritual incomprehension to one of enlightened understanding.
* **"to bring out the prisoners from the prison":** This phrase addresses liberation from captivity. Literally, it refers to physical imprisonment and oppression, common experiences for the exilic Israelites. Spiritually, it represents freedom from the bondage of sin, legalism, despair, or any spiritual force that holds individuals captive, preventing them from experiencing true life and freedom in God.
* **"and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house":** This final clause intensifies the previous imagery, emphasizing the totality of confinement and spiritual despair. "Them that sit in darkness" vividly portrays a state of profound ignorance, moral decay, or spiritual death, a deep-seated condition of spiritual unresponsiveness. The "prison house" underscores the comprehensive nature of this spiritual and existential confinement. The Servant's mission is to lead these individuals out of this utter darkness into the light of God's truth and salvation.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 42:7 is rich with **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**, employing physical conditions to represent profound spiritual realities. "Blind eyes," "prisoners," "prison," "darkness," and "prison house" are not merely literal descriptions but powerful metaphors for humanity's fallen state: spiritual ignorance, bondage to sin, and existential despair. The act of "opening" and "bringing out" symbolizes divine intervention that brings enlightenment and liberation. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second and third clauses ("to bring out the prisoners from the prison" and "them that sit in darkness out of the prison house") reiterate and intensify the theme of liberation from confinement. This repetition emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Servant's redemptive work, addressing multiple facets of human bondage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 42:7 is a cornerstone prophecy concerning the Servant of the Lord, whose mission is intrinsically tied to God's redemptive plan for both Israel and the nations. Theologically, it underscores God's compassion for the lost and oppressed, revealing His active desire to bring spiritual and physical freedom. The imagery of light dispelling darkness is a recurring biblical motif for salvation and divine revelation, demonstrating that God's ultimate purpose is to illuminate the human heart and mind with truth. This verse highlights the comprehensive nature of salvation, which addresses not only external circumstances but also the internal spiritual condition of humanity, moving from blindness to sight, from captivity to liberty, and from darkness to light.

* [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me")
* [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Inaugural Sermon")
* [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 42:7 calls believers to a profound reflection on the nature of true freedom and the transformative power of God's truth. It reminds us that spiritual blindness and various forms of captivity are pervasive in the world, affecting individuals and societies. Just as the Servant's mission was to open eyes and set captives free, so too are we, as His followers, called to participate in this ongoing work. This means cultivating spiritual discernment in our own lives, seeking to understand God's Word more deeply, and actively engaging in ministries that bring light to those in darkness—whether through evangelism, social justice, or compassionate service. It compels us to recognize that our freedom in Christ is not merely for personal comfort but for empowering us to be agents of liberation for others, demonstrating the tangible hope found in the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I still be spiritually blind, or "sitting in darkness," needing God's light to open my eyes?**
* **What "prisons" or forms of bondage (e.g., sin, fear, addiction, despair) do I see in my community or the world that God is calling me to help address?**
* **How can I better embody the Servant's mission to bring light and freedom to those around me, both spiritually and practically?**
* **What does "true freedom" mean in light of this verse, and how does it differ from worldly definitions of freedom?**

### FAQ

**Is this verse primarily about physical healing or spiritual enlightenment?**

Answer: While the language of "opening blind eyes" and "bringing out prisoners" can certainly encompass physical healing and literal liberation from captivity, the deeper and primary emphasis within Isaiah's prophetic context, particularly concerning the Servant, is on spiritual enlightenment and liberation. The "blindness" refers significantly to spiritual ignorance and an inability to perceive God's truth, while "prison" and "darkness" symbolize the bondage of sin, despair, and alienation from God. The Servant's ultimate mission, as fulfilled in Christ, is to address humanity's fundamental spiritual condition, offering freedom from sin and the darkness of unbelief, as seen in passages like [John 9:39](/john/9-39 "John 9:39 - Jesus' Judgment on Blindness").

**Who is the "Servant" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "Servant" in Isaiah's Servant Songs (Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 52-53) is a multifaceted figure. Initially, the Servant can represent the nation of Israel, called to be a light to the nations (e.g., [Isaiah 49:3](/isaiah/49-3 "Isaiah 49:3 - Israel, God's Servant")). However, Israel often failed in this calling due to its own spiritual blindness and disobedience. Therefore, the Servant also points to a righteous individual who perfectly fulfills God's will and accomplishes what Israel could not. The New Testament definitively identifies this ultimate Servant as Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the qualities and fulfills the mission described in these prophecies. His life and ministry, as recorded in the Gospels, are the ultimate realization of the Servant's work to [bring light to those in darkness](/luke/1-79 "Luke 1:79 - To give light to them that sit in darkness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 42:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the Servant of the Lord, uniquely empowered by the Spirit to accomplish this comprehensive mission of liberation. When Jesus began His public ministry, He explicitly quoted from Isaiah in the synagogue, declaring, "[The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Inaugural Sermon")" (Luke 4:18). This direct appropriation of Isaiah's prophecy demonstrates His awareness of His Messianic role. Throughout His ministry, Jesus literally opened the eyes of the blind (e.g., [John 9:1-7](/john/9-1 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind")), but more significantly, He brought spiritual sight to those blinded by sin and unbelief (e.g., [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). He released people from the prison of sin, the power of Satan, and the fear of death, proclaiming the true freedom found in Him (e.g., [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Dominion of Darkness")). Jesus is the light that has come into the world, dispelling the darkness of ignorance, despair, and spiritual death, offering true and lasting liberation to all who believe in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 61:1

¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

Isaiah 49:9

That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that [are] in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures [shall be] in all high places.

Isaiah 35:5

¶ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

2 Timothy 2:26

And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Ephesians 1:17

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Ephesians 1:18

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Matthew 11:5

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.