Isaiah 42:19

Israel is the blind and deaf nation par excellence, because no other nation has been so tested by the opportunity of seeing and hearing (see on Isaiah 42:21). my messengerthat I send (R.V.)] Cf. ch. Isaiah 44:26, where "messengers" is parallel to "servant."

as he that is perfect R.V. has, "as he that is at peace with me." The meaning of the Heb. měshullâm(a proper name in 2 Kings 22:3; Ezra 8:16, and often) is uncertain. Many take it as the equivalent of the Arabic "Moslim," = "the surrendered one" (Cheyne, Comm.). It is no objection to this that it is based on an Aramaic use of the verb; but the idea seems hardly suitable, inasmuch as it implies a state of characterwhich the actual Israel does not possess. Probably a better rendering is the befriended one (sc. by Jehovah), after the analogy of Job 5:23. Another possible translation would be "the requited one" (see R.V. marg.), but it is difficult to attach any definite meaning to the expression in this context.

blindin the last clause should no doubt be deaf, as is read in some MSS.