Isaiah 42:18-25

Israel's Piteous Plight, a Punishment from Yahweh. The prophet bids the people, who have not recognised Yahweh's working in their distresses, look beneath the surface. To all appearance they are captives whom none can deliver. Will none of them see that Yahweh Himself is the author of their misfortune? He has chastised them, though they have not understood the discipline.

Isaiah 42:19. A gloss, identifying the blind and deaf of Isaiah 42:18; a second gloss (Isaiah 42:19 b) has been added. Both take Yahweh's Servant to be Israel. at peace with me: difficult; perhaps read, my devoted one.

Isaiah 42:21. Probably editorial.

Isaiah 42:22. Figurative reference to the restraints of captivity.

Isaiah 42:23. this: i.e. the truths of Isaiah 42:24 f. for. come: however deaf hitherto.

Isaiah 42:24. All after robbers is a pious insertion. Read, they sinned (LXX).

Isaiah 42:25. Continues question of Isaiah 42:24. Render, Who poured. ?