Isaiah 42:12 — Word Study
WLCיָשִׂ֥ימוּ לַֽיהוָ֖ה כָּב֑וֹד וּתְהִלָּת֖וֹ בָּאִיִּ֥ים יַגִּֽידוּ׃
BSALet them givesûwm▸ [ascribe, assign] glorykâbôwd [great honor, splendor] to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] and declarenâgad▸ [tell, proclaim openly] His praisetᵉhillâh [a song of praise] in the islandsʼîy [coastlands, habitable spots, such as a coast or dry land]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יָשִׂ֥ימוּ | let them give | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| לַֽיהוָ֖ה | to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
| כָּב֑וֹד | glory | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וּתְהִלָּת֖וֹ | and praise his | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| בָּאִיִּ֥ים | in the islands | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| יַגִּֽידוּ׃ | let them declare | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands. |
| KJV | Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. |
| ASV | Let them give glory unto Jehovah, and declare his praise in the islands. |
| YLT | They ascribe to Jehovah honour, And His praise in the isles they declare. |
| WEB | Let them give glory to Yahweh, and declare his praise in the islands. |
| BBE | Let them give glory to the Lord, sounding his praise in the sea-lands. |
Where they part company is יָשִׂ֥ימוּ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with two actions connected by a conjunction, creating a clear directive for worship.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשׂים
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 42:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Call to Worshipgenerated
Isaiah 42:12 is part of a larger section where the prophet Isaiah speaks about God's glory and the response of creation to it. The verses preceding this one call on various peoples and places to raise their voices in praise, culminating in a universal call to give glory to the LORD. This reflects the theme of God's sovereignty and the acknowledgment of His power across the earth.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 24:15–16 | Therefore glorify the LORD in the east. Extol the name of the LORD, the God of Israel in the islands of the sea. |
| 2 | Isaiah 66:18–19 | “And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. |
| 3 | Psalm 22:27 | All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. |
| 4 | Psalm 96:3–10 | Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples. |
| 5 | Psalm 117:1–2 | Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָשִׂ֥ימוּ, ya.Si.mugenerated
The verb שׂים (sim) means to put, place, or set, and in this context, it carries the sense of ascribing or assigning glory to God. It indicates an action of intentionality, where the subjects are called to actively give honor.
The parsing as a Qal imperfect third person masculine plural indicates that this is a command directed towards a group, emphasizing collective action in worship. The word is often used in contexts of appointment or establishing something, reflecting the importance of recognizing God's glory.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses give glory and declare His praise.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around two finite verbs: יָשִׂ֥ימוּ (let them give) and יַגִּֽידוּ (let them declare), which frame the actions commanded. The first verb introduces the action of giving glory, while the second verb focuses on declaring praise.
The sentence is straightforward, with a clear call to action, emphasizing the importance of both giving glory and publicly declaring praise to God.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָשִׂ֥ימוּ as δώσουσιν (dōsousin), which means 'they will give'. This choice maintains the imperative sense of giving glory, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning.
The use of θεῷ for לַֽיהוָ֖ה reflects a broader understanding of God, emphasizing His divinity in the Greek context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 42:12 calls for people everywhere to give glory to the LORD and to declare His praise in the islands. This verse emphasizes the importance of worshiping God and recognizing His greatness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To give glory to the LORD means to acknowledge His greatness, honor Him for His attributes, and recognize His power and majesty.
The mention of islands signifies that this call to worship is universal, extending to all lands and peoples, emphasizing that everyone should recognize and proclaim God's greatness.
We can declare God's praise through worship, sharing testimonies of His goodness, and living in a way that honors Him.
The term 'islands' refers to distant places and symbolizes the far-reaching nature of God's glory and the call for all creation to worship Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I give glory to God in my daily life?
- How can I encourage others to declare God's praise?
- What does it mean for you to worship God in your own context?
- How does recognizing God's glory impact your perspective on challenges?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 42:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet them give glory unto the Lord,.... For all the great and good things he has done for them, in sending his Gospel to them, calling them by his grace, enlightening their minds, and revealing his
Read John Gill on Isaiah 42 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLet them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. Let them give glory unto the Lord ... in the islands - (Isaiah 24:15.)
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 42 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn the remotest parts of the world, as well as in Arabia, which was near to them.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 42 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 42:12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.Ver. 12. Let them give glory.] See Isaiah 42:10.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 42 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. glory and praise: the same words as in Isaiah 42:8.
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 42 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLet them give glory ... in the islands - (see the note at Isaiah 41:1). Let the distant regions praise God.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 42 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible10-13. Sing… a new song — On this marvellous unseen religious development which is to fill the whole earth, God calls for jubilation.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 42 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.
Let them give glory to Yahweh, and declare his praise in the islands.
Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.
Let them give the Lord the honor he deserves; let them praise his deeds in the coastlands.
Tyndale line
Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
Let them give glory unto Jehovah, and declare his praise in the islands.
Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
Let them give glory to the LORD, and declare his praise in the isles.
Let them giue glorie vnto the Lord, and declare his praise in the ylands.
Strictly literal
let them give glory unto Jehovah, and declare his praise in the islands.
They ascribe to Jehovah honour, And His praise in the isles they declare.
They ascribe to YHWH glory, || And they declare His praise in the islands.
Let them give glory unto the Lord, and in the islands declare his praise.
Let them give glory to Yahweh and declare his praise in the coastlands.
From the Latin
They shall give glory to the Lord, and shall declare his praise in the islands.
Simplified
Let them glorify the Lord and praise him in the islands.
Let them give glory to the Lord, sounding his praise in the sea-lands.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in wording, with the Dead Sea Scrolls also confirming the text's integrity. The 1Qisaa scroll matches the MT word for word, while the 4Q56 scroll contains some restored words but aligns with the overall message.
יָשִׂ֥ימוּ לַֽיהוָ֖ה כָּב֑וֹד וּתְהִלָּת֖וֹ בָּאִיִּ֥ים יַגִּֽידוּ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ישימו ליהוה כבוד ותהלת׳ו באיימ יגידו
6 words on the leather.
[ישימו] [ליהוה] [כבוד] [ותהלת׳ו] [באיים] יגידו
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 42:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שׂוּם (sum) is a verb meaning to put, place, or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, establishing, and making. It can also refer to laying something upon or directing it. There is a related noun שׂוּמָה (sumah), which may denote a token of unluckiness. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
שׂוּם, שִׂים 582 vb. put, place, set
Qal
put, set, in a place
put something upon
put, lay, set
put, c. בֵּין
set, direct
set, ordain, in a place
set, establish a law, statute
set, found a nation
set, appoint (as ruler, official)
set, constitute, make
set, determine, fix, bounds
set, station, at a post
put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars
set up altars
= plant, wheat
set, fix (countenance)
make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into
make, constitute
work, bring to pass
appoint, give
set, fix (countenance)
Hiph. I will make him for a sign
Hoph. there was set before him
base
שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl;—2 S 13:32
ref
H7760a שׂוּם, שִׂים put, place, set .. . put, set, in a place
. put something upon
. put, lay, set
. put, c. בֵּין
. set, direct
. . set, ordain, in a place
. set, establish a law, statute
. set, found a nation
. set, appoint (as ruler, official)
. set, constitute, make
. set, determine, fix, bounds
. . set, station, at a post
. put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars
. set up altars
. = plant, wheat
. set, fix (countenance)
. . make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into
. make, constitute
. work, bring to pass
. appoint, give
. set, fix (countenance)
. I will make him for a sign
. there was set before him
H7760b שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl
7760 suwm soom
or siym {seem}; a primitive root; to put (used in a great
variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially,
and elliptically):--X any wise, appoint, bring, call (a
name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider,
convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap
up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out),
mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve,
purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set
(on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down,
((over-))turn, X wholly, work.
שׂוּם (sum) — to set: make.
: make/establish
1) to put, place, set, appoint, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on
1a2) to set, direct, direct toward
1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)
1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix
1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix
1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give
1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign
1c) (Hophal) to be set
שׂוּמָה (su.mah) — fate.
token of unluckiness, scowl
שׂוּם (sum) — to set: put.
: put/give
1) to put, place, set, appoint, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on
1a2) to set, direct, direct toward
1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)
1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
(nathan, yahabh, sum; didomi): "Give" is a very common word in the Old Testament. It is most frequently the translation of nathan, "to give" (Ge 1:29; 3:6; Ex 2:9; De 18,20, etc., over 800 instances); nathan is also translated "to give up" (De 23:14; Isa 43:6; Ho 11:8); of yahabh, "to give" (Ge 30:1; 1Ch 16:28 the King James Version). In Ps 55:22 we have the perfect with suffix, "Cast thy burden upon Yahweh," margin "what he hath given thee"; elsewhere it is…
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
כָּבוֹד (kabowd) refers to concepts of abundance, honour, and glory. It encompasses external splendor, dignity of position, and reputation, as well as the inner nobility of a person. The term can denote both the weightiness of glory and the reverence due to someone. The entries consistently emphasize its positive connotations.
כָּבוֹד n.m. and f. abundance, honour, glory
abundance, riches
honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
honour, dignity of position
honour, reputation, of character
my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
base
H3519 כָּבוֹד abundance, honour, glory . abundance, riches
. honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
. honour, dignity of position
. honour, reputation, of character
. my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
. honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
. glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
3519 kabowd kaw-bode'
rarely kabod {kaw-bode'}; from 3513; properly, weight, but
only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or
copiousness:--glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
see HEBREW for 03513
כָּבוֹד (ka.vod) — glory.
1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance
1a) abundance, riches
1b) honour, splendour, glory
1c) honour, dignity
1d) honour, reputation
1e) honour, reverence, glory
1f) glory
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
glo'-ri (substantive):
I. METHOD OF TREATMENT
II. GENERAL USE OF THE TERM
1. As Applied to External Things
2. As Applied to Yahweh
III. THE USES OF KABHODH
1. Material Wealth
2. Human Dignity and Majesty
3. "My Soul": the Self
4. Self-Manifestation of God (Yahweh)
(1) Exodus 23:18 ff
(2) Isaiah 6
(3) Psalms 19:1
(4) Sinai and the Temple
(5) Ezekiel's Visions
(6) Messianic Ideal
(7) Its Ethical Content
IV. IN THE APOCRYPHA AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. In the Apocrypha:
(1) As Applied to External Things
(2) As Applied to God
2. In the New Testament:
(1) As Applied to Men
(2) As Applied to God
(3) As Applied to the Saints
(4) As Applied to the Messianic Kingdom
3. Its Ethical Significance
LITERATURE
I. Method of Treatment.
Glory
(Heb. kabhod; Gr. doxa). (1.) Abundance, wealth, treasure, and hence honour (Ps. 49:12); glory (Gen. 31:1; Matt. 4:8; Rev. 21:24, 26).
(2.) Honour, dignity (1 Kings 3:13; Heb. 2:7 1 Pet. 1:24); of God (Ps. 19:1; 29:1); of the mind or heart (Gen. 49:6; Ps. 7:5; Acts 2:46).
- God is, to his people
- Christ is, to his people
- The gospel ordained to be, to saints
- Of the gospel, exceeds that of the law
The Hebrew word תְּהִלָּה (*tehillah*) means praise, specifically in the form of a song or hymn. It encompasses acts of adoration and thanksgiving directed towards God, as well as general public praise and the qualities of God that warrant such praise. The word is derived from a root meaning to laud.
תְּהִלָּה n.f. praise, song of praise
praise, adoration, thanksgiving, paid to י׳
the act of general, public, praise
praise-song, as title
qualities, deeds, etc., of י׳, demanding praise
renown, fame, glory
base
H8416 תְּהִלָּה praise, song of praise . praise, adoration, thanksgiving, paid to י׳
. the act of general, public, praise
. praise-song, as title
. qualities, deeds, etc., of י׳, demanding praise
. renown, fame, glory
8416 thillah teh-hil-law'
from 1984; laudation; specifically (concretely) a
hymn:--praise.
see HEBREW for 01984
תְּהִלָּה (te.hil.lah) — praise.
1) praise, song or hymn of praise
1a) praise, adoration, thanksgiving (paid to God)
1b) act of general or public praise
1c) praise-song (as title)
1d) praise (demanded by qualities or deeds or attributes of God)
1e) renown, fame, glory
1e1) of Damascus, God
1e2) object of praise, possessor of renown (fig)
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
אִי (iy) refers to a habitable area, encompassing meanings like coast, region, island, and shore. It is derived from a root meaning 'dry land' and is used in contexts related to geographical features, such as in Isaiah 20:6. The term captures various types of landforms, highlighting its versatility in describing different coastal and insular terrains.
H339 אִי coast, region
339 'iy ee
from 183; properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry
land, a coast, an island:--country, isle, island.
see HEBREW for 0183
אִי (i) — coastland.
coast, island, shore, region
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.
[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous
Hiph. declare, tell
Hoph. be told, announced, reported
base
H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell
. be told, announced, reported
5046 nagad naw-gad'
a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out
opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;
figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one
present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),
denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,
rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.
נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim
1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
1a5a) messenger (participle)
1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVhi3mp