God’s Word Translation
Isaiah 32:1
1A king will rule with fairness, and officials will rule with justice.
Isaiah 32:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
- New International Version (NIV)See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice.
Context of Isaiah 32:1
A king will rule with fairness, and officials will rule with justice. 2Then each ruler will be like a shelter from the wind and a hiding place from the rain. They will be like streams on parched ground and the shade of a large rock in a weary land. 3Then the vision of those who can see won’t be blurred, and the ears of those who can hear will pay attention.
Read all of Isaiah 32Isaiah 32:1 word by word
הֵ֥ן לְצֶ֖דֶק יִמְלָךְ־מֶ֑לֶךְ וּלְשָׂרִ֖ים לְמִשְׁפָּ֥ט יָשֹֽׂרוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Isaiah 32:1
- Isaiah 9:6A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 40:1“Comfort my people! Comfort them!” says your God.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, ‘The one who rules humans with justice rules with the fear of God.
- 2 Chronicles 31:20This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and right and true to the Lord his God.
- Psalms 45:1My heart is overflowing with good news. I will direct my song to the king. My tongue is a pen for a skillful writer.
- Psalms 72:1O God, give the king your justice and the king’s son your righteousness
- Psalms 99:4The king’s strength is that he loves justice. You have established fairness. You have done what is fair and right for Jacob.
- Jeremiah 23:5“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will grow a righteous branch for David. He will be a king who will rule wisely. He will do what is fair and right in the land.
- Jeremiah 33:15In those days and at that time, I will cause a righteous branch to spring up for David. He will do what is fair and right in the land.
- Hosea 3:5After that, the Israelites will turn and look to the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord for his blessings in the last days.
- Zechariah 9:9Rejoice with all your heart, people of Zion! Shout in triumph, people of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you: He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and rides on a donkey, on a colt, a young pack animal.
- Romans 5:21As sin ruled by bringing death, God’s kindness would rule by bringing us his approval. This results in our living forever because of Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Hebrews 1:8But God said about his Son, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter in your kingdom is a scepter for justice.
- Revelation 19:11I saw heaven standing open. There was a white horse, and its rider is named Faithful and True. With integrity he judges and wages war.
- Isaiah 28:6He will give a spirit of justice to those who judge. He will give strength to those who defend the city gates in battle.
- Revelation 17:14They will go to war against the lamb. The lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those who are called, chosen, and faithful are with him.”
Commentaries on Isaiah 32:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness - If King Hezekiah were a type of Christ, then this prophecy may refer to his time; but otherwise it seems to have Hezekiah primarily in view. It is evident, however, that in the fullest sense these words cannot be applied to any man; God alone can do all that is promised here. And princes - ושרים ve -sarim, without ל lamed, to; so the ancient Versions. An ancient MS. has ושריו vesaraiv, and his princes.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Behold, a king - That is, Hezekiah. That it refers to him is apparent from the connection. The reign of Ahaz had been one of oppression and idolatry. This was to be succeeded by the reign of one under whom the rights of the people would be secured, and under whom there would be a state of general prosperity. This may have been uttered while Ahaz was on the throne, or it may have been when Hezekiah began to reign. Perhaps the latter is the more probable…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Times of peace and happiness. (Is. 32:1-8) An interval of trouble, yet comfort and blessings in the end. (Is. 32:9-20) Verses 1-8 Christ our righteous King, and his true disciples, are evidently here intended. The consolations and graces of his Spirit are as rivers of water in this dry land; and as the overhanging rock affords refreshing shade and shelter to the weary traveller in the desert, so his power, truth, and love, yield the believer the only real…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1a king will reign in righteousness: This means the Messiah, God's chosen one (Isaiah 11:1). The focus is now on righteous and wise leadership (Proverbs 8:20). In Isaiah’s time, honest leaders were rare (see Isaiah 3:1–6; 28:7–19).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-20The times of purity and happiness which shall follow the defeat of the enemies of Jehovah's people (Is 32:1-8). The period of wrath before that happy state (Is 32:9-14). The assurance of the final prosperity of the Church is repeated (Is 32:15-20). 1. 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…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 32:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 32
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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