Isaiah 42:21

The verse reads: It was Jehovah's pleasure, for His righteousness" sake, to magnify instruction (or, Revelation) and glorify it. (see R.V.) Righteousnessis to be understood exactly as in Isaiah 42:6; and the verbs "magnify" and "glorify" are subordinate to "was pleased," expressing that which Jehovah was pleased to do. (see Davidson, Synt.§ 83, R. 1.) The only question is whether the reference is to the past revelation in law and prophecy, by which Israel has failed to profit; or to the future glorification of religion by its diffusion among the nations (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 42:4; Isaiah 42:6). The last is probably nearest the truth. The verse is not an explanation of the "many things" that Israel has seen and failed to see, but introduces a new thought. It expresses the great purpose which Jehovah had cherished with regard to Israel to make it the instrument of extending the knowledge of His will to the world. This is the true "glorification" of the Tôrâhof Israel (Isaiah 42:4).

22 ff. shew how this design has hitherto been frustrated by the necessity of imposing chastisement on Israel, till it should learn its true mission.

But this Rather, But it. snared in holes This is no doubt the sense, although a change of pointing seems necessary in the verb, making it a passive (read hûphaḥfor hâphëaḥ). The metaphor is for the captivity, but it is only a metaphor; the prophet does not imagine that a large proportion of the exiles were actually incarcerated in dungeons.