Yesaya 42:21-23

42:21 The Lord wanted to exhibit his justice

by magnifying his law and displaying it. ¹ 

42:22 But these people are looted and plundered;

all of them are trapped in pits ² 

and held captive ³  in prisons.

They were carried away as loot with no one to rescue them;

they were carried away as plunder, and no one says, “Bring that back!” ⁴ 

42:23 Who among you will pay attention to this?

Who will listen attentively in the future? ⁵ 

[42:21]  ¹ tn Heb “The Lord was pleased for the sake of his righteousness [or “justice”], he was magnifying [the] law and was making [it] glorious.” The Lord contrasts his good intentions for the people with their present crisis (v. 22). To demonstrate his just character and attract the nations, the Lord wanted to showcase his law among and through Israel (Deut 4:5-8). But Israel disobeyed (v. 24) and failed to carry out their commission.

[42:22]  ² tc The Hebrew text has בַּחוּרִים (bakhurim, “young men”), but the text should be emended to בְּהוֹרִים (bÿhorim, “in holes”).

[42:22]  ³ tn Heb “and made to be hidden”; NAB, NASB, NIV, TEV “hidden away in prisons.”

[42:22]  ⁴ tn Heb “they became loot and there was no one rescuing, plunder and there was no one saying, ‘Bring back’.”

[42:23]  ⁵ tn The interrogative particle is understood in the second line by ellipsis (note the preceding line).