Isaiah 42:7

Authorized King James Version

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To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Original Language Analysis

לִפְקֹ֖חַ To open H6491
לִפְקֹ֖חַ To open
Strong's: H6491
Word #: 1 of 10
to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant
עֵינַ֣יִם eyes H5869
עֵינַ֣יִם eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 2 of 10
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עִוְר֑וֹת the blind H5787
עִוְר֑וֹת the blind
Strong's: H5787
Word #: 3 of 10
blind (literally or figuratively)
לְהוֹצִ֤יא to bring out H3318
לְהוֹצִ֤יא to bring out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 4 of 10
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִמַּסְגֵּר֙ from the prison H4525
מִמַּסְגֵּר֙ from the prison
Strong's: H4525
Word #: 5 of 10
a fastener, i.e., (of a person) a smith, (of a thing) a prison
אַסִּ֔יר the prisoners H616
אַסִּ֔יר the prisoners
Strong's: H616
Word #: 6 of 10
prisoner
מִבֵּ֥ית house H1004
מִבֵּ֥ית house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 7 of 10
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כֶּ֖לֶא out of the prison H3608
כֶּ֖לֶא out of the prison
Strong's: H3608
Word #: 8 of 10
a prison
יֹ֥שְׁבֵי and them that sit H3427
יֹ֥שְׁבֵי and them that sit
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 9 of 10
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ in darkness H2822
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ in darkness
Strong's: H2822
Word #: 10 of 10
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

Cross References

Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Isaiah 49:9That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.Isaiah 35:5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.2 Timothy 2:26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.Matthew 11:5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.Luke 24:45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,Revelation 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.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.John 9:39And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Analysis & Commentary

The Servant's mission includes opening blind eyes, releasing prisoners from dungeons, and freeing those in darkness. These physical descriptions carry spiritual meaning: spiritual blindness, bondage to sin, and darkness of ignorance are overcome through the Servant's work. The Hebrew 'paqach' (open) suggests violent opening of what is sealed shut.

Historical Context

Jesus applied similar language to His mission in Luke 4:18-19, quoting Isaiah 61. His healing of physical blindness demonstrated power to heal spiritual blindness; His release of demoniacs showed power to free spiritual captives.

Questions for Reflection

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