The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

ISAIAH 42:21KJV
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Isaiah 42:21 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 42:21 mean?

Isaiah 42:21 says that the LORD takes pleasure in giving his instruction a place of greatness and honor. The KJV connects that purpose with “his righteousness”: the LORD acts in keeping with what is right.

After the question about blindness in verse 20, the verse sets the LORD’s purpose alongside the people’s failure to pay attention. “Magnify” pictures the law being made great, while “honourable” points to the high regard it deserves.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 42:21

  • “law” — תּוֹרָה (torah): The word often means instruction or teaching. Here it can suggest the LORD’s guidance for his people, not only a list of rules.
  • “righteousness’” — צֶדֶק (tsedeq): The word carries the sense of what is right or just. The KJV presents the LORD’s own rightness as the reason for his purpose concerning the law.
  • “honourable” — אָדַר (adar): The word can mean splendid or majestic. It gives “honourable” a sense of greatness as well as respect.

Why Isaiah 42:21 matters

  • The verse places the LORD’s purpose in contrast with the people’s response. Verse 20 says they observe many things but fail to keep them, while verse 21 describes the honor due to the LORD’s instruction.
  • The LORD’s “pleasure” is connected with his own righteousness. The wording directs attention to the LORD’s character as the reason for his action.
  • The following verse describes people who have been robbed and trapped. Placed beside that picture, verse 21 makes the gap between the LORD’s purpose and the people’s condition especially clear.

Where else these words appear

“honourable” Hebrew H142 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
  • Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

“pleased” Hebrew H2654 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 34:19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.
  • Job 13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
  • Ecclesiastes 8:3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

“righteousness'” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

“magnify” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
  • Isaiah 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.