Bible Strands
Isaiah 42:21
The LORD was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to magnify His law and make it glorious.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses Israel, contrasting their spiritual blindness in verse 20 with God’s active purpose regarding the law in verse 21, immediately before describing the nation’s captured state in verse 22.
The words — חָפֵץ (cha.Fetz) translates literally as “he was pleased,” and תּוֹרָה (to.Rah) means “law,” showing God’s deliberate will to elevate the Torah.
The thread — The theme of God’s law being upheld rather than nullified appears in Romans 3:31, while Matthew 5:17 and Hebrews 8:10 record the law’s enduring presence in God’s covenant purposes.
Why it lands — The text states that God deliberately magnifies His law to display His righteousness, requiring the reader to recognize divine commitment to the law’s authority before drawing conclusions about its application.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
Cross-references
- Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
- Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
- Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
- Romans 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
- Psalms 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”
- Psalms 71:19 Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?
- Isaiah 1:24 Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will be relieved of My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies.
- Isaiah 42:4 He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.”
- Isaiah 46:12 Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness:
- Matthew 3:15 “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.