Isaiah 42:5
ESV
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:
NIV
This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:
NASB
This is what God the Lord says, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it:
CSB
This is what God, the Lord, says— who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it —
NLT
God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is he who says,
KJV
Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
NKJV
Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it:
What does Isaiah 42:5 mean?
Before expanding on what God will do through the Servant (Isaiah 42:1), Isaiah pauses to remind his readers of God's identity. God, the Lord, is the one who created the heavens that fill the vast sky (Genesis 1:1–8). Everything a person can see, and many things they cannot see, are all placed by Him. This was not accomplished by any of the innumerable false deities represented by idols and worshiped by the pagan nations of the earth.God alone is the Creator of both the heavens and earth. He is pictured as stretching out the earth in every direction, along with all the creatures and features that come with it. More than making places, though, Isaiah says God is the life-giver. He puts both breath and spirit into every person who walks the earth.
These points are important for establishing context for the coming of the Servant, who will bring order and justice. First, they reaffirm that the Lord has the right to do this. He is the One who made everything, so He has the right to use His creation as He sees fit. Second, they remind the world that God has the power to do what He has promised; if He has the power to create all things, He has the power to influence them. Finally, it means that the same God who made the earth and sustains all its life will one day bring peace, order, and justice to the earth.
