Isaiah 42 Is Not About Cyrus — It Describes a Gentile Prophet Bringing Light, Law, and Covenant
A friend had a thoughtful comment. He is right that Isaiah 40–48 includes messages of Israel’s return from Babylon and mentions Cyrus (Koresh) as God’s instrument in chapters 44–45.
However, Isaiah 42 introduces a completely different figure — not a Persian king, but a divinely chosen servant from among the Gentiles, sent to bring law, covenant, and spiritual awakening to the nations.
Let’s walk through the text clearly:
1. This Is a New Mission, Not a Reminder of the Past
“Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing unto the LORD a new song...” (Isaiah 42:9–10)
• This is a new declaration, not a continuation of Israel’s past.
• The Torah is not new. This servant brings something new.
• The “new song” signifies a fresh act of divine communication — a new covenantal message, extending beyond Israel to the ends of the earth.
2. The Servant Brings a Law to the Gentiles
“He shall not fail nor be crushed, till he have set the law in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his Torah.” (Isaiah 42:4)
• The word translated “teaching” is Torah — a law-book, not just advice.
• The isles (Gentile nations) are waiting for this — which proves they never had it before.
• Cyrus never brought a Torah. He was a king, not a lawgiver.
• This is not the renewal of Moses’ law, but the giving of divine law to those who were never part of the covenant.
We actually read this in the Qur'an
"lest you say, The Scripture was only sent down to two groups before us, but we were of their study unaware. Or lest you say, If only the Scripture had been revealed to us, we would have been better guided than they. So there has come to you a clear evidence from your Lord and a guidance and mercy. Then who is more unjust than one who denies the signs of Ellāh and turns away from them? We will recompense those who turn away from Our signs with the worst of punishment for their having turned away." (Qur’an 6:156 -157)
3. The Servant Is Given as a Covenant to the Gentiles
“I the LORD... will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles...” (Isaiah 42:6)
• This is not “a new covenant replacing the old” — it is God entering into covenant with the Gentiles, something never done before.
• This servant is the vessel of that covenant — a human messenger bringing divine light and law to the nations.
Light always point to the scripture
"And they did not appraise Ellāh with true appraisal when they said, Ellāh did not reveal to a human being anything. Say, Who revealed the Scripture that Moses brought as light and guidance to the people? You make it into pages, disclosing it and concealing much. And you were taught that which you knew not - neither you nor your fathers. Say, Ellāh. Then leave them in their discourse, amusing themselves." (Qur'an 6:91)
"The ones with whom you made a covenant but then they break their covenant every time, and they do not fear Ellāh." (Qur'an 8:56)
4. The Servant is from the Blind — from the Gentiles
> “I will bring the blind by a way they knew not... I will make darkness light before them...” (Isaiah 42:16)
“Who is blind, but My servant?... seeing many things, but he observeth not...” (Isaiah 42:19–20)
This is not Israel. Israel is not blind to God's covenant — they received the Torah.
This is describing someone who was once spiritually blind, like the Gentiles — but is now God’s servant and messenger.
Only the Gentiles fit this: nations who did not know God's ways, but were now being guided.
5. The Blind and Imprisoned Are Gentile Nations
“To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness...” (Isaiah 42:7)
“I will bring the blind by a way they knew not...” (Isaiah 42:16)
• These are spiritually blind Gentiles, not Israel. Israel received the law long ago.
• These nations are now being guided on a path they never knew, led by a prophet into divine light.
We read it in the Qur'an
"Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know." (Qur'an 2:151)
"..... And Ellāh has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of Ellāh upon you been great." (Qur'an 4:113)
6. Kedar and Sela Are Specifically Named
“Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voice; let the villages that Kedar inhabits rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy...” (Isaiah 42:11)
• These are Arab regions:
• Kedar = sons of Ishmael (northern Arabia)
• Sela = ancient Petra (southern Jordan)
• No prophet ever brought the praise of God to these areas — except Muhammad.
7. God Acts Through His Messenger
“The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man... He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail...” (Isaiah 42:13)
“Now will I cry like a woman in travail; I will destroy and devour at once.” (Isaiah 42:14)
• Though God speaks here, He has always acted through messengers — whether Moses, David, or the final prophet.
• These verses are consistent with a prophet leading divinely sanctioned justice, not random violence.
8. Israel Is Not the Servant — Israel Is the One Judged
“But this is a people robbed and spoiled... for a prey, and none saith, Restore.” (Isaiah 42:22)
“Because they would not walk in His ways, neither were they obedient unto His law...” (Isaiah 42:24)
• These verses clearly show that Israel is under judgment, not the one bringing light.
• The servant is from the blind, but becomes the light — pointing directly to a Gentile prophet.
9. The Servant Magnifies the Law
“The LORD is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will magnify the law and make it honorable.” (Isaiah 42:21)
• The servant does not abolish the law — he confirms it, clarifies it, and honors it.
• That’s exactly what the Qur’an does:
“Confirming what was before it of the Book and as a criterion over it...” (Qur’an 5:48)
"Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which is guidance and light. The prophets who submitted judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Ellāh, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Ellāh has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers." (Qur'an 5:44)
Conclusion:
Isaiah 42 is not about Cyrus, who never brought a law, a covenant to the Gentiles, or a message to Kedar and Petra. Nor is it about Israel, who is under divine correction in this chapter.
The prophecy describes a Gentile prophet who:
• Was once blind, but chosen
• Brings a law-book to the nations
• Is given as a covenant to the Gentiles
• Is used to magnify the law
• Leads Kedar and Sela to rejoice
• Brings a new path and a new song
• And fulfills the role of a servant who restores justice with God’s authority
There is only one historical figure who matches this in detail:
Muhammad, the prophet who brought divine law and light to the Gentiles, fulfilling this ancient vision with precision and truth.
This is not theology. This is scripture, geography, and history in harmony.
