The Identity and Role of the Servant in Isaiah 42:1-9: An Exegetical and Theological Study
type: CreativeWork
description: Problem Over the centuries, there has been no consensus among biblical interpreters regarding the meaning of the servant of Isa 42:1-9. This dissertation studies the identity and role of the “servant” together with its relation to the neglected collection of other servant passages in Isaiah. Method This study consists of an exegetical and theological analysis of Isa 42. It includes an analysis of those passages in which the servant term is explicitly found in Isa 40-55 as well as other passages (Isa 9, 11, 61, 63) that are linked to the servant motif in Isa 42. Special attention is given to the term “servant” as well as to the structure of Isa 42:1-9 and its relation to the three other servant poems in contrast with the usage of the term “servant” in the rest of Isa 40- 55. The dissertation is both exegetical and theological in nature. Results Chapter 1 introduces the topic, states the problem of no consensus regarding the identity of the servant in Isa 42:1-9, and provides a literature review of viewpoints regarding the “servant” in Isa 42 and 53. The purpose and justification of this research is given, followed by an outline of the methodology. Chapter 2 provides an exegesis of Isa 42:1-9, beginning with an overview of various scholars’ structural analyses of chs. 40 to 55 along with my suggested structure of those chapters. A narrower structure focused on Isa 42:1-9 is then provided, again beginning with what various scholars have suggested and then followed by my suggestion of an appropriate structure. Finally, a detailed exegesis of each verse is explored with suggestions of potential interpretations for key words. This chapter reveals two foundational characteristics of the servant: first, he is called (Isa 42:1-4), and second, he is commissioned to save Israel (vv. 5-9). Chapter 3 explores the intratextual links of Isa 42:1-9 with other texts in the book of Isaiah—particularly with Isa 49:1-13; 50:4-9; and 52:13-53:12 followed by 41:8-9; 42:16-25; 45:1-8; oth…
abstract: Problem Over the centuries, there has been no consensus among biblical interpreters regarding the meaning of the servant of Isa 42:1-9. This dissertation studies the identity and role of the “servant” together with its relation to the neglected collection of other servant passages in Isaiah. Method This study consists of an exegetical and theological analysis of Isa 42. It includes an analysis of those passages in which the servant term is explicitly found in Isa 40-55 as well as other passages (Isa 9, 11, 61, 63) that are linked to the servant motif in Isa 42. Special attention is given to the term “servant” as well as to the structure of Isa 42:1-9 and its relation to the three other servant poems in contrast with the usage of the term “servant” in the rest of Isa 40- 55. The dissertation is both exegetical and theological in nature. Results Chapter 1 introduces the topic, states the problem of no consensus regarding the identity of the servant in Isa 42:1-9, and provides a literature review of viewpoints regarding the “servant” in Isa 42 and 53. The purpose and justification of this research is given, followed by an outline of the methodology. Chapter 2 provides an exegesis of Isa 42:1-9, beginning with an overview of various scholars’ structural analyses of chs. 40 to 55 along with my suggested structure of those chapters. A narrower structure focused on Isa 42:1-9 is then provided, again beginning with what various scholars have suggested and then followed by my suggestion of an appropriate structure. Finally, a detailed exegesis of each verse is explored with suggestions of potential interpretations for key words. This chapter reveals two foundational characteristics of the servant: first, he is called (Isa 42:1-4), and second, he is commissioned to save Israel (vv. 5-9). Chapter 3 explores the intratextual links of Isa 42:1-9 with other texts in the book of Isaiah—particularly with Isa 49:1-13; 50:4-9; and 52:13-53:12 followed by 41:8-9; 42:16-25; 45:1-8; oth…
author: Beaulieu, Stephane A.
keywords: Servant, Isaiah, Biblical Studies
date published: 2014-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T00:53:14Z
provider: Andrews University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Andrews University