Isaiah 32
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Jeremiah, now confined for his faithful admonitions, foretells the fate of the king and city, Jer 32:1-5. According to the direction of God, he buys of his cousin Hanameel a field in Anathoth; the contract, or deed of sale, being subscribed, sealed, and witnessed, and delivered to Baruch, together with a duplicate not sealed, who is commanded to put them into an earthen vessel that they may remain there for many days, Jer 32:6-14. This transaction of the prophet, which is entered and subscribed in the public register, God constitutes a sign or pledge of the Jews' return from the Babylonish captivity, and of their again possessing houses, fields, and vineyards, in their own land, and by their own right, according to their tribes and families, Jer 32:15. Jeremiah's prayer, in which he recounts God's marvellous acts towards the children of Israel, and deeply deplores the lamentable state of the country, and the numerous provocations which have led to it, Jer 32:16-25. After which God is introduced declaring his purpose of giving up his people into the hands of their enemies, Jer 32:26-35; promising, however, to restore them in due time to their ancient possessions, and to make with them an everlasting covenant, Jer 32:36-44.
Open source ↗MESSIAH'S KINGDOM; DESOLATIONS, TO BE SUCCEEDED BY LASTING PEACE, THE SPIRIT HAVING BEEN POURED OUT. (Isa. 32:1-20) king--not Hezekiah, who was already on the throne, whereas a future time is contemplated. If he be meant at all, it can only be as a type of Messiah the King, to whom alone the language is fully applicable (Hos 3:5; Zac 9:9; see on Isa 11:3-5). The kingdom shall be transferred from the world kings, who have exercised their power against God, instead of for God, to the rightful King of kings (Eze 21:27; Dan 7:13-14). princes--subordinate; referring to all in authority under Christ in the coming kingdom on earth, for example, the apostles, &c. (Luk 22:30; Co1 6:2; Ti2 2:12; Rev 2:26-27; Rev 3:21).
Open source ↗Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness,.... Not Hezekiah, as the Jewish writers; at least only as a type, as some writers interpret it; rather Christ himself, who is "King" not only of the whole world, and of the kings of it in general, but in particular is King of saints; and who "reigns" now in and over his church and people, being set as King by his Father over his holy hill of Zion, and, being exalted at his right hand, is made and declared Lord and Christ; and where he does and will reign until all enemies are put under his feet, and ere long will reign gloriously before his ancients in Jerusalem, Isa 24:23 and his reign is "in righteousness"; in a righteous manner, according to the rules of justice and equity: all his laws are just; his ways and methods of administration are right; his sceptre is a sceptre of righteousness: righteousness is the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins: and princes shall rule in judgment: the ministers of the Gospel, pastors of churches, who are set over them in the Lord, and have the rule over them; and who rule well, and in judgment, when they rule according to the word of God; when they preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances, and do all the business of Christ's house, according to the instructions, laws, and rules he has given.
Open source ↗For Judah, sifted, delivered, and purified, there now begins a new ear. Righteous government, as a blessing for the people, is the first beneficent fruit. "Behold, the king will reign according to righteousness; and the princes, according to right will they command. And every one will be like a shelter from the wind, and a covert from the storm; like water-brooks in a dry place, like the shadow of a gigantic rock in a languishing land." The kingdom of Asshur is for ever destroyed; but the kingdom of Judah rises out of the state of confusion into which it has fallen through its God - forgetting policy and disregard of justice. King and princes now rule according to the standards that have been divinely appointed and revealed. The Lamed in ūlesârı̄m (and the princes) is that of reference (quod attinet ad, as in Psa 16:3 and Ecc 9:4), the exponent of the usual casus abs. (Ges. 146, 2); and the two other Lameds are equivalent to κατά, secundum (as in Jer 30:11). The figures in Isa 32:2 are the same as in Isa 25:4. The rock of Asshur (i.e., Sennacherib) has departed, and the princes of Asshur have deserted their standards, merely to save themselves. The king and princes of Judah are now the defence of their nation, and overshadow it like colossal walls of rock. This is the first fruit of the blessing.
Open source ↗We have here the description of a flourishing kingdom. "Blessed art thou, O land! when it is thus with thee, when kings, princes, and people, are in their places such as they should be." It may be taken as a directory both to magistrates and subjects, what both ought to do, or as a panegyric to Hezekiah, who ruled well and saw something of the happy effects of his good government, and it was designed to make the people sensible how happy they were under his administration and how careful they should be to improve the advantages of it, and withal to direct them to look for the kingdom of Christ, and the times of reformation which that kingdom should introduce. It is here promised and prescribed, for the comfort of the church, I. That magistrates should do their duty in their places, and the powers answer the great ends for which they were ordained of God, Isa 32:1, Isa 32:2. 1. There shall be a king and princes that shall reign and rule; for it cannot go well when there is no king in Israel. The princes must have a king, a monarch over them as supreme, in whom they may unite; and the king must have princes under him as officers, by whom he may act, Pe1 2:13, Pe1 2:14. They both shall know their place and fill it up. The king shall reign, and yet, without any diminution to his just prerogative, the princes shall rule in a lower sphere, and all for the public good. 2. They shall use their power according to law, and not against it. They shall reign in righteousness and in judgment, with wisdom and equity, protecting the good and punishing the bad; and those kings and princes Christ owns as reigning by him who decree justice, Pro 8:15. Such a King, such a Prince, Christ himself is; he reigns by rule, and in righteousness will he judge the world, Isa 9:7; Isa 11:4. 3. Thus t…
Open source ↗32:1 a righteous king: The Messiah (11:1); the emphasis now is on righteous and wise leadership (Prov 8:20). • In Isaiah’s day, honest princes were few and far between (see Isa 3:1-6; 28:7-19).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) שָׂרַר (sârar, H8323) — to have (transitively, exercise; reflexively, get) dominion מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מַחֲבֵא (machăbêʼ, H4224) — a refuge רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… סֵתֶר (çêther, H5643) — a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense) זֶרֶם (zerem, H2230) — a gush of water פֶּלֶג (peleg, H6388) — a rill (i.e. small channel of water, as in irrigation) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen צִיוֹן (tsîyôwn, H6724) — a desert צֵל (tsêl, H6738) — shade, whether literal or figurative כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3515) — heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult,… סֶלַע (çelaʻ, H5553) — a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) עָיֵף (ʻâyêph, H5889) — languid אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שָׁעָה (shâʻâh, H8159) — to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider,… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קָשַׁב (qâshab, H7181) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
Open source ↗לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); מָהַר (mâhar, H4116) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a… בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… עִלֵּג (ʻillêg, H5926) — stuttering דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… צַח (tsach, H6703) — dazzling, i.e. sunny, bright, (figuratively) evident
Open source ↗נָבָל (nâbâl, H5036) — stupid; wicked (especially impious) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… נָדִיב (nâdîyb, H5081) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a… כִּילַי (kîylay, H3596) — niggardly אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שׁוֹעַ (shôwaʻ, H7771) — a noble, i.e. liberal, opulent; also (as noun in the derived sense) a halloo
Open source ↗נָבָל (nâbâl, H5036) — stupid; wicked (especially impious) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נְבָלָה (nᵉbâlâh, H5039) — foolishness, i.e. (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol חֹנֶף (chôneph, H2612) — moral filth, i.e. wickedness תּוֹעָה (tôwʻâh, H8442) — mistake, i.e. (morally) impiety, or (political) injury יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רוּק (rûwq, H7324) — to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. empty נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… רָעֵב (râʻêb, H7457) — hungry (more or less intensely) מַשְׁקֶה (mashqeh, H4945) — properly, causing to drink, i.e. a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink… צָמֵא (tsâmêʼ, H6771) — thirsty (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) כִּילַי (kîylay, H3596) — niggardly רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve זִמָּה (zimmâh, H2154) — a plan, especially a bad one חָבַל (châbal, H2254) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to… עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances עָנָו (ʻânâv, H6035) — depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly) שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) אֵמֶר (ʼêmer, H561) — something said אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗נָדִיב (nâdîyb, H5081) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a… יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman שַׁאֲנָן (shaʼănân, H7600) — secure; in a bad sense, haughty שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אָזַן (ʼâzan, H238) — to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen אִמְרָה (ʼimrâh, H565) — {something said}
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) רָגַז (râgaz, H7264) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear) בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure בָּצִיר (bâtsîyr, H1210) — clipped, i.e. the grape crop כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… אֹסֶף (ʼôçeph, H625) — a collection (of fruits) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) שַׁאֲנָן (shaʼănân, H7600) — secure; in a bad sense, haughty רָגַז (râgaz, H7264) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear) בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… עָרַר (ʻârar, H6209) — to bare; figuratively, to demolish חֲגוֹר (chăgôwr, H2290) — a belt (for the waist) חָלָץ (châlâts, H2504) — the loins (as the seat of vigor)
Open source ↗סָפַד (çâphad, H5594) — properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to… שַׁד (shad, H7699) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging) חֶמֶד (chemed, H2531) — delight שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509) — to bear fruit (literally or figuratively) גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape
Open source ↗אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… קוֹץ (qôwts, H6975) — a thorn שָׁמִיר (shâmîyr, H8068) — a thorn; also (from its keenness for scratching) a gem, probably the diamond בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מָשׂוֹשׂ (mâsôws, H4885) — delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling) עַלִּיז (ʻallîyz, H5947) — exultant קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city
Open source ↗אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height) נָטַשׁ (nâṭash, H5203) — properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to… הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. עֹפֶל (ʻôphel, H6076) — a tumor; also a mound, i.e. fortress בַּחַן (bachan, H975) — a watch-tower מְעָרָה (mᵉʻârâh, H4631) — a cavern (as dark) עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… מָשׂוֹשׂ (mâsôws, H4885) — delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling) פֶּרֶא (pereʼ, H6501) — the onager מִרְעֶה (mirʻeh, H4829) — pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout for David a righteous Branch, and He will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.
The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.
so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem!See, your King comes to you,righteous and victorious,humble and riding on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The mighty King loves justice. You have established equity; You have exercised justice and righteousness in Jacob.