1:1 After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant:
42:1 1 “Here is my servant whom I support,
my chosen one in whom I take pleasure.
I have placed my spirit on him;
he will make just decrees 2 for the nations. 3
1 sn Verses 1-7 contain the first of Isaiah’s “servant songs,” which describe the ministry of a special, ideal servant who accomplishes God’s purposes for Israel and the nations. This song depicts the servant as a just king who brings justice to the earth and relief for the oppressed. The other songs appear in 49:1-13; 50:4-11; and 52:13-53:12.
2 tn Heb “he will bring out justice” (cf. ASV, NASB, NRSV).
3 sn Like the ideal king portrayed in Isa 11:1-9, the servant is energized by the divine spirit and establishes justice on the earth.
1 tn Grk “his”; in the translation the referent (God) has been specified for clarity.
2 sn A quotation from Num 12:7.
1 sn The Greek makes the contrast between v. 5 and v. 6a more emphatic and explicit than is easily done in English.
2 tn Grk “his”; in the translation the referent (God) has been specified for clarity.
3 tn Grk “whose house we are,” continuing the previous sentence.
4 tc The reading adopted by the translation is found in Ì13,46 B sa, while the vast majority of
5 tn Grk “the pride of our hope.”
1 tn Grk “they on the one hand” in contrast with “he on the other hand” in v. 24.
2 tn Grk “they were prevented by death.”
3 tn Grk “from continuing” (the words “in office” are supplied for clarity).