Isaiah 42:4

4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Isaiah 42:4 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction. ”
The Message Bible (MSG)
4 He won't tire out and quit. He won't be stopped until he's finished his work - to set things right on earth. Far-flung ocean islands wait expectantly for his teaching." The God Who Makes Us Alive with His Own Life
American Standard Version (ASV)
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set justice in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
4 He will not be discouraged or crushed until he has set up justice on the earth. The coastlands will wait for his teachings.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
4 He will not grow weak or be discouraged until He has established justice on earth. The islands will wait for His instruction."
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
4 He will not grow weak or lose hope. He will not give up until he makes everything right on the earth. The islands will put their hope in his law."

Isaiah 42:4 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 42:4

He shall not fail
For want of strength to go through the work of redemption: or, "grow dim" F9 and dark, as a lamp for want of oil, or as the wick of a candle ready to go out. Hence the Septuagint version, "he shall shine F11"; in the glory of his person, as the Son of God; in the fulness of his grace, as Mediator, which shall never fail; and in the hearts of his people by his Spirit; and in his Gospel published to the world: nor be discouraged;
at the number, power, and menaces of his enemies, he had to grapple with, sin, Satan, the world, and death: or, nor be broken
F12; with the weight of all the sins of his people upon him; and with a sense of divine wrath; and with the whole punishment due unto them, inflicted on him, enough to have broke the backs and spirits of men and angels; but he stood up under the mighty load, and did not sink beneath it, but endured all with an invincible courage and resolution of mind: till he have set judgment in the earth;
fully satisfied the justice of God for the sins of his people, and performed the work of their redemption in righteousness; and then he sent and settled his Gospel in the world, proclaiming the same; and fixed a set of Gospel ordinances to continue the remembrance of it, till his second coming. Maimonides


FOOTNOTES:

F13 produces this passage to prove that the Messiah shall die, because it is said, "he shall not fail--till"; but this does not signify that he should fail afterwards, but that he should continue always: and the isles shall wait for his law;
his doctrine or Gospel, the law or doctrine of faith, particularly that of justification by his righteousness, with every other; this the inhabitants of the islands, or distant countries, the Gentiles, should be desirous of hearing, readily embrace and receive, and trust in Christ, made known to them in it. The Septuagint version is, "and in his name shall the Gentiles trust"; and so in ( Matthew 12:20 ) ( Acts 28:28 ) ( Acts 13:42 Acts 13:48 ) .
F9 (hhky al) , "non caligabit", Pagninus, Montanus.
F11 (analamqei) , Sept.
F12 (uwry) , "nec fraugetur", Paguinus, Montanus.
F13 Porta Mosis, p. 160.

Isaiah 42:4 In-Context

2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
5 This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,

Cross References 4

  • 1. S Isaiah 2:4
  • 2. ver 21; Exodus 34:29; Isaiah 51:4
  • 3. S Isaiah 11:11
  • 4. S Genesis 49:10; Matthew 12:18-21*
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