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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהוֹלַכְתִּ֣י
H1980
וְהוֹלַכְתִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 20
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּדֶ֙רֶךְ֙
by a way
H1870
בְּדֶ֙רֶךְ֙
by a way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
3 of 20
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֖וּ
that they have not known
H3045
יָדְע֖וּ
that they have not known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
5 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֖וּ
that they have not known
H3045
יָדְע֖וּ
that they have not known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אַדְרִיכֵ֑ם
not I will lead
H1869
אַדְרִיכֵ֑ם
not I will lead
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
9 of 20
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
אָשִׂים֩
I will make
H7760
אָשִׂים֩
I will make
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
10 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לִפְנֵיהֶ֜ם
before
H6440
לִפְנֵיהֶ֜ם
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לָא֗וֹר
light
H216
לָא֗וֹר
light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
13 of 20
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
לְמִישׁ֔וֹר
straight
H4334
לְמִישׁ֔וֹר
straight
Strong's:
H4334
Word #:
15 of 20
a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
These things
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
These things
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
17 of 20
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עֲשִׂיתִ֖ם
will I do
H6213
עֲשִׂיתִ֖ם
will I do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
18 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Isaiah 30:21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.Luke 3:5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;Isaiah 35:8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.Isaiah 40:4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:Isaiah 32:3And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.Ephesians 5:8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Isaiah 29:18And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.Psalms 94:14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.Isaiah 45:2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
Historical Context
This assured exiles that despite not knowing the way home or future, God would guide them. Spiritually, it promises that God leads those who trust Him through unfamiliar territory with faithful presence.
Questions for Reflection
- How are you experiencing God's guidance through currently dark or crooked circumstances?
- What does God's promise not to forsake mean when you can't see the path ahead?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God promises to lead the blind by unknown ways, make darkness light, and crooked things straight. The Hebrew 'ivver' (blind) represents those without spiritual sight whom God guides personally. The emphatic conclusion—'I will do them, and not forsake them'—guarantees completion. God finishes what He starts.