Isaiah 42:7
New International Version
to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

New Living Translation
You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

English Standard Version
to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Berean Standard Bible
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

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

New King James Version
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

New American Standard Bible
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

NASB 1995
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

NASB 1977
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon, And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

Legacy Standard Bible
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who inhabit darkness from the prison.

Amplified Bible
To open the eyes of the blind, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who sit in darkness from the prison.

Christian Standard Bible
in order to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those sitting in darkness from the prison house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
in order to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those sitting in darkness from the prison house.

American Standard Version
to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.

Contemporary English Version
You will give sight to the blind; you will set prisoners free from dark dungeons.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You will give sight to the blind, bring prisoners out of prisons, and bring those who live in darkness out of dungeons.

Good News Translation
You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons.

International Standard Version
to open blind eyes and to bring out those who are bound from their cells, and those sitting in darkness from prison.

Majority Standard Bible
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

NET Bible
to open blind eyes, to release prisoners from dungeons, those who live in darkness from prisons.

New Heart English Bible
to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.

Webster's Bible Translation
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.

World English Bible
to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
To open the eyes of the blind, "" To bring forth the bound one from prison, "" Those sitting in darkness from the house of restraint.

Young's Literal Translation
To open the eyes of the blind, To bring forth from prison the bound one, From the house of restraint those sitting in darkness.

Smith's Literal Translation
To open the eyes of the blind, to bring forth the bound out of prison, those sitting in darkness out of the house of the prison.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That thou mightest open the eyes of the blind, and bring forth the prisoner out of prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so that you may open the eyes of the blind, and lead out the prisoner from confinement and those sitting in darkness from the house of incarceration.

New American Bible
To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

New Revised Standard Version
to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That you may open the eyes of the blind, to release prisoners from bondage, and bring out of the prison house those who sit in darkness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
That you will open the eyes of the blind and you will bring out the prisoners from imprisonment and those who dwell in darkness from the house of prisoners
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
To open the blind eyes, To bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, And them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring the bound and them that sit in darkness out of bonds and the prison-house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Here is My Servant
6“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, 7to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house. 8I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.…

Cross References
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

John 9:39
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.”

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Psalm 146:7-8
He executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free, / the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Isaiah 35:5
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

Isaiah 49:9
to say to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ They will feed along the pathways, and find pasture on every barren hill.

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Micah 7:8
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.


Treasury of Scripture

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

open

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.

Isaiah 29:18
And 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.

Isaiah 35:5
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

to bring

Isaiah 42:22
But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

Isaiah 9:2
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 49:9
That 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.

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Blind Bound Captives Darkness Dungeon Dwell Eyes Forth Free House Open Prison Prisoners Prison-House Release Restraint Shut Sit Sitting
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Blind Bound Captives Darkness Dungeon Dwell Eyes Forth Free House Open Prison Prisoners Prison-House Release Restraint Shut Sit Sitting
Isaiah 42
1. The office of Christ, graced with meekness and constancy.
5. God's promise unto him.
10. An exhortation to praise God for his Gospel
13. God will manifest himself, and check idolatry
18. He reproves the people of incredulity.














to open the eyes of the blind
This phrase is often understood both literally and metaphorically. In a literal sense, it refers to the miraculous healings performed by Jesus, as seen in the Gospels (e.g., John 9:1-7). Metaphorically, it signifies spiritual enlightenment and understanding, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible. The "blind" can represent those who are spiritually ignorant or unaware of God's truth. This aligns with the prophetic role of the Messiah, who brings light and understanding to those in spiritual darkness (Isaiah 9:2). The opening of the eyes is a divine act, emphasizing God's power to transform and renew.

to bring prisoners out of the dungeon
This phrase can be interpreted as a reference to liberation from physical captivity, which was a common experience for the Israelites, such as during the Babylonian exile. However, it also symbolizes spiritual liberation from sin and bondage. The "dungeon" represents a place of confinement and despair, and the act of bringing prisoners out signifies redemption and freedom. This is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus is seen as the one who sets captives free (Luke 4:18-19), fulfilling the messianic prophecy and offering salvation to all who believe.

and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house
The imagery of "sitting in darkness" conveys a state of hopelessness and ignorance, often associated with life apart from God. The "prison house" symbolizes the constraints of sin and the absence of divine truth. This phrase highlights the transformative power of the Messiah, who brings light and hope to those trapped in spiritual darkness. It connects to the broader biblical theme of light overcoming darkness, as seen in John 1:5. The deliverance from the "prison house" is a metaphor for the salvation and new life offered through Christ, who is the light of the world (John 8:12).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is traditionally credited with writing the Book of Isaiah. His prophecies often focus on the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of God's people.

2. The Servant
In Isaiah 42, the "Servant" is a prophetic figure often understood by conservative Christians to refer to Jesus Christ, who fulfills these prophecies through His ministry.

3. The Blind
Symbolically represents those who are spiritually blind or ignorant of God's truth, needing enlightenment and revelation.

4. Prisoners
Represents those who are bound by sin or oppression, needing liberation and freedom through divine intervention.

5. Darkness
Symbolizes ignorance, sin, and separation from God, from which people need to be delivered.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Enlightenment
Just as physical blindness is a barrier to seeing the world, spiritual blindness prevents us from seeing God's truth. We must seek Jesus, the Light of the World, to open our eyes.

Freedom from Sin
Sin is a prison that holds us captive. Jesus came to set us free from this bondage, offering forgiveness and a new life.

Hope for the Oppressed
Those who feel trapped in difficult circumstances can find hope in Christ, who promises liberation and deliverance.

Role of the Church
As followers of Christ, we are called to participate in His mission by helping others find spiritual sight and freedom.

Living in the Light
Walking in the light of Christ means living according to His teachings and reflecting His love and truth to others.(7) To open the blind eyes.--The prophet must have felt the contrast between this and his own mission (Isaiah 6:10). The words all point to spiritual blessings. (Comp. St. Paul's call in Acts 26:18.) The "prison" is that of the selfishness and sin which hinder men from being truly free. In the "prisoners of hope" of Zechariah 9:11, and the "spirits in prison" of 1Peter 3:18, we have different aspects of the same thought.

Verse 7. - To open the blind eyes. The Messiah was to cure both physical and. spiritual blindness (see Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 32:3; Isaiah 35:5, etc.). Here it is spiritual blindness that is specially intended, as appears both by the symbolic language of the two conjoined clauses, and by the comment of vers. 16-19. To bring out the prisoners from the prison; rather, to bring out prisoners. To deliver from the bondage of sin such as are its slaves, and shut up in its prison-houses. The promise is general, but, like all spiritual promises, conditioned by the willingness of those who are its objects to avail themselves of it. Them that sit in darkness (comp. Isaiah 9:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
to open
לִפְקֹ֖חַ (lip̄·qō·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6491: To open, to be observant

the eyes
עֵינַ֣יִם (‘ê·na·yim)
Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the blind,
עִוְר֑וֹת (‘iw·rō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 5787: Blind

to bring
לְהוֹצִ֤יא (lə·hō·w·ṣî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

prisoners
אַסִּ֔יר (’as·sîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 616: Bound, a captive

out of the dungeon,
מִמַּסְגֵּר֙ (mim·mas·gêr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4525: A fastener, a smith, a prison

and those sitting
יֹ֥שְׁבֵי (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in darkness
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ (ḥō·šeḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

out from the prison
כֶּ֖לֶא (ke·le)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3608: Confinement, restraint, imprisonment

house.
מִבֵּ֥ית (mib·bêṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 42:7 To open the blind eyes to bring (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 42:6
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