What does Isaiah 42:21 mean?

"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." - Isaiah 42:21

"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." - Isaiah 42:21

Isaiah 42:21 (KJV) says, "The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." This verse is found within a larger passage in the book of Isaiah that speaks of the servant of the Lord. The passage points to the coming of the Messiah, who will bring justice and righteousness to the world.

The verse itself carries a profound message about the righteousness of God and his commitment to upholding the law. It speaks to the fundamental character of God as being just and righteous, and it emphasizes the importance of the law as a reflection of God's will. Let us examine this verse in greater detail to understand its meaning and significance.

The opening phrase, "The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake," indicates that God takes great pleasure in his own righteousness. This righteousness is a key aspect of God's character and is the foundation of his dealings with humanity. It is by God's righteousness that he governs the world with justice and mercy, and it is through his righteousness that he fulfills his promises. This affirmation of God's righteousness serves as a source of comfort and hope for believers, knowing that God's actions are always just and fair.

The second part of the verse declares, "he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." This statement underscores the significance of the law in God's plan for humanity. The law, as given to the Israelites in the Old Testament, serves as a guide for righteous living and establishes the moral and ethical standards that reflect God's holiness. By "magnifying" the law, God is emphasizing its importance and relevance in the lives of his people. He desires for the law to be honored and upheld, recognizing its role in preserving justice and righteousness in the world.

In a broader context, this verse also points to the role of the servant of the Lord, who is identified in the book of Isaiah as the one who will bring salvation and redemption to the world. The servant is the embodiment of God's righteousness, and he fulfills the requirements of the law on behalf of humanity. The New Testament identifies Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this prophecy, as he perfectly embodies God's righteousness and becomes the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

The themes present in Isaiah 42:21 resonate throughout the Bible, reinforcing the significance of God's righteousness and the importance of the law. The verse highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness, and it emphasizes the central role of the law in God's plan for humanity. Ultimately, it points to the fulfillment of these principles in the person of Jesus Christ, who magnifies the law and brings honor to God through his perfect obedience.

Symbolically, the verse also represents the harmonious relationship between God's righteousness and the law. It portrays the law as a reflection of God's character and a means by which humanity can align themselves with his will. Additionally, it symbolizes the honor and reverence that God bestows upon the law, elevating it to a position of importance and authority in the lives of believers.

In conclusion, Isaiah 42:21 (KJV) encapsulates profound truths about God's righteousness, the significance of the law, and the fulfillment of these principles in Jesus Christ. It is a powerful declaration of God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness and serves as a source of hope and assurance for believers. The verse's themes and symbolism resonate throughout the Bible, reaffirming the central role of God's righteousness and the law in his redemptive plan for humanity.

Have questions about Isaiah 42:21?

Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat β€” an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.

Isaiah 42:21 Artwork

Isaiah 42:21 - "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable."

Isaiah 42:21 - "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable."

"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." - Isaiah 42:21

"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." - Isaiah 42:21

Isaiah 42:20 - "Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not."

Isaiah 42:20 - "Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not."

Isaiah 42:18 - "Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see."

Isaiah 42:18 - "Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see."

isaiah 42 Israel's Failure to Profit from Discipline

isaiah 42 Israel's Failure to Profit from Discipline

Isaiah 42:23 - "Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?"

Isaiah 42:23 - "Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?"

Isaiah 42:12 - "Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands."

Isaiah 42:12 - "Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands."

Isaiah 42:2 - "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street."

Isaiah 42:2 - "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street."

Joshua 21:42 - "These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities."

Joshua 21:42 - "These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities."

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 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 42:17 - "ΒΆ They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods."

Isaiah 42:17 - "ΒΆ They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods."

Isaiah 42:8 - "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."

Isaiah 42:8 - "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."

Isaiah 42:4 - "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."

Isaiah 42:4 - "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."

Isaiah 42:19 - "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?"

Isaiah 42:19 - "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?"

Isaiah 5:21

Isaiah 5:21

Isaiah 5:21

Isaiah 5:21

Isaiah 42:3 - "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth."

Isaiah 42:3 - "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth."

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;"

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;"

isaiah 42:11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.

isaiah 42:11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.

Isaiah 42:15 - "I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools."

Isaiah 42:15 - "I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools."

isaiah 42:11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.

isaiah 42:11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.

Isaiah 42:9 - "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."

Isaiah 42:9 - "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."

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."

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."

isaiah 42:11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.

isaiah 42:11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.

isaiah 42:18 "Hear, you deaf; And look, you blind, that you may see.

isaiah 42:18 "Hear, you deaf; And look, you blind, that you may see.

isaiah 42:18 "Hear, you deaf; And look, you blind, that you may see.

isaiah 42:18 "Hear, you deaf; And look, you blind, that you may see.

Isaiah 42:10 - "Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof."

Isaiah 42:10 - "Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof."

isaiah 42:20 Seeing many things, but you do not observe; Opening the ears, but he does not hear."

isaiah 42:20 Seeing many things, but you do not observe; Opening the ears, but he does not hear."

"And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." - Isaiah 42:16

"And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." - Isaiah 42:16

isaiah 42:20 Seeing many things, but you do not observe; Opening the ears, but he does not hear."

isaiah 42:20 Seeing many things, but you do not observe; Opening the ears, but he does not hear."