What Does Isaiah 42:21 Mean in the King James?
The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The LORD’s own alignment turns instruction into something to behold: he makes it great and honorable.
THE MEANING
The LORD delights in his own alignment and makes instruction expansive and honorable before you. Its direction brings his character into view, giving the way that leads toward what is right a weight and beauty of its own.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that God’s instruction is something the LORD would rather keep small dissolves here: he delights in enlarging it and making it honorable.
THE ROOT
תּוֹרָה
torah
GROWS FROM
ירה
y-r-h
To point, direct, or teach; instruction that gives direction.
“law” in this verse is torah. Torah grows from a verb of pointing, directing, and teaching; the instruction carries a direction within it. Here the LORD makes that direction great and honorable, bringing his alignment into view.
ALSO GROWS
moreh: Teacher; one who instructs.
מוֹרֶה
The branch makes instruction a living act of guidance, fitting the LORD’s work of making his way known.
yoreh: He teaches or directs.
יֹרֶה
The instruction points somewhere: it gives direction toward the alignment named in the verse.
צִדְקוֹ
tsidqo
GROWS FROM
צדק
ts-d-q
To be right or just; alignment.
“righteousness” in this verse is tsidqo. The verse grounds the magnifying of instruction in the LORD’s own alignment. His character and what he teaches belong together: the instruction carries the shape of his rightness.
ALSO GROWS
tzedakah: Righteousness, justice, or right action.
צְדָקָה
This branch carries alignment into action, showing how the LORD’s character can take shape in what is done.
tzaddiq: A righteous or just person.
צַדִּיק
This branch describes a person by their alignment, echoing the verse’s link between the LORD’s character and his instruction.
יַגְדִּיל
yagdil
GROWS FROM
גדל
g-d-l
To grow, become great, or make great.
“magnify” in this verse is yagdil. The Hebrew verb shares its root with words for greatness and a tower. The instruction is raised into prominence, made visible and worthy of attention.
ALSO GROWS
gadol: Great or large.
גָּדוֹל
This branch carries the same quality of greatness that the LORD gives to his instruction.
migdal: Tower.
מִגְדָּל
A tower rises into view; the shared root makes the verse’s act of magnifying feel like instruction raised high and made visible.
THE PATTERN
God’s instruction is enlarged and honored as an expression of his alignment and a source of life.
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.THE THREAD
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.The Hebrew word translated “law” in both passages is תּוֹרָה (torah), instruction. Psalm 19 shows what this instruction does in you: it restores the soul and makes the simple wise.
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