Isaiah 1:26 kjv

And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Isaiah 1:26 nkjv

I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."

Isaiah 1:26 niv

I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City."

Isaiah 1:26 esv

And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."

Isaiah 1:26 nlt

Then I will give you good judges again
and wise counselors like you used to have.
Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justice
and the Faithful City."

Isaiah 1 verses

Isaiah 1 26 Meaning

Isaiah 1:26 proclaims God's divine promise to restore Judah, specifically Jerusalem, to an era of righteous and wise leadership reminiscent of its foundational past. After a period of purification and judgment against unrighteousness, the city will shed its current corrupt identity and once again be known for its uprightness and faithfulness, signifying a profound spiritual and civic transformation. This verse foretells a future where justice, integrity, and trust in God will define Jerusalem's governance and character.

Isaiah 1 26 Context

Isaiah chapter 1 begins by rebuking Judah (Israel's southern kingdom) for its widespread rebellion, sin, and spiritual depravity. God portrays the nation as a physically and spiritually sick body (vv. 2-9) and expresses His rejection of their hypocritical religious rituals, which were devoid of genuine righteousness (vv. 10-15). He calls them to radical repentance: "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean... cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow" (vv. 16-17). The choice is clear: reconciliation through cleansing or utter destruction (vv. 18-20).

Jerusalem, once the "faithful city," is described as having become a "harlot," full of murderers and oppressive leaders (vv. 21-23). Verses 24-25 deliver God's firm resolve as the Lord of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, to execute vengeance upon His adversaries and purge the nation of its "dross" (impurities) and "alloy" (sinful mixture) through judgment, returning to them the pure metal. It is after this divine cleansing and fiery judgment that verse 26 follows, offering a pivotal promise of future restoration and spiritual renewal for the city, marking a transition from divine indictment to a message of hope for the repentant remnant. This historical context of profound national decline, spiritual emptiness, and looming judgment makes the promise of restoration in verse 26 exceptionally potent, pointing to a future ideal that starkly contrasts with Judah's contemporary state. It directly critiques the existing corrupt political and judicial system, prophesying God's direct intervention to reform it.

Isaiah 1 26 Word analysis

• "I will restore" (אשיב, 'aśîḇ): This is a Hiphil imperfect form of the Hebrew verb שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn, return, or cause to return/restore." The Hiphil conjugation indicates a causative action: "I will cause to return" or "I will bring back." It highlights God's direct, sovereign intervention and active role in initiating this renewal, rather than it being a natural societal progression or human endeavor. This points to a powerful act of divine grace and judgment intertwined.
• "your judges" (שֹׁפְטַיִךְ, šōfəṭayiḵ): From the Hebrew word שָׁפַט (shaphat), meaning "to judge, govern, rule." These are leaders with judicial, administrative, and even military authority (like the ancient Judges of Israel). In Isaiah's time, judges were notoriously corrupt, taking bribes and perverting justice (Isa 1:23). God promises to replace or transform them, ensuring they are truly righteous arbiters.
• "as at the first" (כְּבָרִאשׁוֹנָה, kəḇārišônâ): This phrase points to an idealized past, a golden age of upright leadership. It evokes the initial, pure days of Israel under God's direct guidance or perhaps the early Davidic monarchy, when kings like David strove for righteousness (2 Sam 8:15). It implies a longing for an original, untainted state of governance.
• "and your counselors" (וְיוֹעֲצַיִךְ, wəyô‘aṣayiḵ): From יָעַץ (ya'ats), "to advise, counsel." These are the wise men, advisors, or elders who offer guidance and policy direction to rulers and the people. Like judges, contemporary counselors in Jerusalem were likely corrupt, providing wicked counsel. The promise is for wise and godly counsel.
• "as at the beginning" (וְכַתְּחִלָּה, wəḵattəḥillâ): Functionally synonymous with "as at the first," reinforcing the idea of a restoration to foundational purity and original divine intent. It speaks of reversing deviation and returning to first principles, especially concerning national covenant faithfulness.
• "afterward" (אַחֲרֵי־כֵן, 'aḥarê-ḵēn): This adverb marks a sequential outcome or consequence. It signifies that the naming of the city, its transformation into "City of Righteousness" and "Faithful City," is a result of God's prior action of purging and restoring its leadership. It emphasizes that divine intervention leads to societal transformation.
• "you shall be called": This is a passive construction, implying that this new name and identity will be universally recognized and ascribed, either by God Himself, by the nations, or by its own inhabitants. It signifies a public acknowledgment of Jerusalem's new, holy character.
• "The City of Righteousness" (קִרְיָה צֶדֶק, Qiryāh Ṣeḏeq): "City" (qiryāh) implies an established, significant urban center. "Righteousness" (ṣeḏeq) is a core biblical concept, referring to conformity to a divine standard of justice, ethical conduct, and right relationship with God and others. It implies both internal integrity and outward just actions. This new name signals a complete reversal of its earlier description as a "harlot" (Isa 1:21) or "oppressor" (Isa 1:17).
• "The Faithful City" (קִרְיָה נֶאֱמָנָה, Qiryāh Ne’ĕmānâ): "Faithful" (ne'ĕmānâ) comes from the root אמן ('aman), which conveys steadfastness, reliability, truthfulness, and trustworthiness (related to "Amen"). It signifies that Jerusalem, previously unfaithful to its covenant with God, will become reliable, trustworthy, and firm in its loyalty to God's ways and truth. This speaks to spiritual constancy and integrity.

Words-group analysis:

• "I will restore your judges as at the first and your counselors as at the beginning": This phrase details the specific mechanism of restoration – righteous leadership. It's not merely a spiritual revival of individuals but a reconstitution of the very structures of power and wisdom. God promises to bring back leaders who genuinely embody justice (mishpat) and righteousness (tzedek), rather than those motivated by personal gain or corruption. The repetition of "as at the first" and "as at the beginning" emphasizes a full, authentic return to foundational purity and divine standards, rather than a mere superficial improvement.
• "afterward you shall be called The City of Righteousness, The Faithful City": This specifies the ultimate transformed identity and public recognition. The names are not merely labels but reflect a transformed reality. This naming indicates that the city's character will intrinsically embody righteousness and faithfulness. It's a statement about Jerusalem's future moral and spiritual state, brought about by God's purging and restoration of its governance. This ultimate identity is a promise of redemption and glorification for Zion, setting it apart as a holy and reliable place according to God's will.

Isaiah 1 26 Bonus section

The transformation depicted in Isaiah 1:26 can be understood on multiple levels:

• Historical: A promise of future national restoration for Judah/Israel, often tied to their return from exile or the establishment of the Davidic dynasty in a righteous future.
• Messianic: Many commentators view the promise of truly righteous leadership and a faithful city as ultimately fulfilled in the reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies justice and faithfulness. The true "City of Righteousness" is the Kingdom established by Christ, often spiritually manifested in the Church (God's redeemed people) and perfectly revealed in the New Jerusalem.
• Spiritual/Ecclesiological: This prophecy serves as a model for the Church's ongoing need for purity and righteous leadership. Just as ancient Jerusalem was refined, so too are believers called to shed "dross" (sin) and exemplify righteousness and faithfulness (Eph 5:27). The "judges and counselors" can symbolize those gifted with spiritual wisdom and discernment within the community, whose role is to uphold biblical truth and ethical conduct.
• Eschatological: The ultimate fulfillment points to the eschatological New Jerusalem, as described in Revelation, where only righteousness and faithfulness will dwell (Rev 21:27, 22:14). It is God's eternal design for a city purged of all sin.

Isaiah 1 26 Commentary

Isaiah 1:26 offers a beacon of hope amidst a dark indictment of Judah. It presents God's unwavering intention to purify His covenant people, not for destruction, but for restoration to their intended glory. The promise of restoring judges and counselors "as at the first" highlights the centrality of just and godly leadership to the health and identity of God's people. This speaks to God's concern for righteous governance and the societal manifestation of divine truth. The implication is that systemic corruption would be eradicated through divine intervention, resulting in leaders who fear God and uphold justice for all, particularly the vulnerable.

The subsequent renaming of Jerusalem as "The City of Righteousness, The Faithful City" signifies a complete transformation from within. It moves beyond a superficial religious veneer to a core identity rooted in genuine moral integrity (tzedek) and covenant loyalty (emunah). This new identity is a divine conferral, indicating God's seal of approval on the transformed state of the city. This transformation is not immediate but contingent upon God's purifying judgment (as outlined in the preceding verses) and is often interpreted prophetically as pointing towards a future Messianic age, either directly fulfilled in the spiritual reign of Christ in the church or ultimately in the New Jerusalem, where righteousness and faithfulness truly dwell without corruption. The verse ultimately conveys God's redemptive purpose, turning judgment into the groundwork for renewal and an enduring display of His character through His people.