Isaiah 11 2

Isaiah 11:2 kjv

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Isaiah 11:2 nkjv

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 11:2 niv

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him? the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD?

Isaiah 11:2 esv

And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 11:2 nlt

And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him ?
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 11 verses

Isaiah 11 2 meaning

Isaiah 11:2 describes the attributes and empowering presence of God's Spirit upon the coming Messiah, referred to as the "shoot from the stump of Jesse" (Is 11:1). It details six specific spiritual qualities: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. These qualities are presented as an indwelling, permanent presence of the Holy Spirit, forming the complete character and enabling the righteous reign of the Messiah, setting Him apart as the perfectly guided and capable ruler.

Isaiah 11 2 Context

Isaiah 11:2 follows directly from Isaiah 11:1, which prophesies a "shoot from the stump of Jesse" and a "branch from his roots." This establishes the context as a messianic prophecy. Judah, at the time, was facing severe political and spiritual decay, with many unrighteous kings and the imminent threat of foreign invaders (like Assyria). The Davidic monarchy, symbolized by a majestic tree, was about to be cut down to a "stump," signifying national ruin and the end of active kingship for a time. Yet, from this dead-looking "stump," a new "shoot" would emerge, a direct descendant of Jesse (King David's father), signaling a renewed, ultimate hope. Verse 2 elaborates on the character of this coming ruler, highlighting the divine enablement He would possess, sharply contrasting with the flawed human leadership that had failed Judah. The focus shifts from judgment to a glorious future restoration under this perfect king, whose attributes are rooted in a permanent and unique endowment of the Spirit of God.

Isaiah 11 2 Word analysis

• And the Spirit of the Lord:
  • Hebrew: Ruach YHWH (רוּחַ יְהוָה). Ruach signifies wind, breath, or spirit; here, it refers to the divine essence and active power of God. YHWH (often translated "LORD") is God's personal covenant name. This emphasizes the divine source and nature of the Spirit, which is the very Spirit of God Himself, manifesting His presence and power.
• shall rest upon Him:
  • Hebrew: nûaḥ (נוּחַ), meaning to rest, settle, abide permanently. This denotes a distinct difference from the temporary empowering of the Spirit seen in many Old Testament figures (like judges or prophets). On the Messiah, the Spirit's presence is not transient but a continuous, abiding indwelling, indicating an intimate and unbroken communion. "Him" refers directly to the promised "shoot from the stump of Jesse" (Is 11:1), the Messiah.
• the Spirit of wisdom:
  • Hebrew: Ruach Chochmah (רוּחַ חָכְמָה). Chochmah refers to practical wisdom, discernment, and skillful application of knowledge for righteous governance and sound judgment. It implies the ability to see and act according to God's divine principles.
• and understanding:
  • Hebrew: Binah (וּבִינָה). Binah signifies insightful understanding, the capacity to perceive the deeper meaning, grasp complex situations, and make intelligent distinctions. It complements wisdom by providing comprehensive perception.
• the Spirit of counsel:
  • Hebrew: Ruach Etzah (רוּחַ עֵצָה). Etzah refers to the ability to form wise plans, provide excellent guidance, and make sound decisions. This is crucial for righteous and effective leadership, ensuring justice and purpose.
• and might:
  • Hebrew: Gevurah (וּגְבוּרָה). Gevurah denotes strength, power, valor, and courage. It is the ability to execute counsel, enforce justice, protect, and defend with divine authority and supernatural strength.
• the Spirit of knowledge:
  • Hebrew: Ruach Da'at (רוּחַ דַּעַת). Da'at implies intimate, personal knowledge, profound comprehension, and discernment of God's character, will, and ways. It is not merely factual knowledge but a deep, experiential acquaintance with divine truth.
• and of the fear of the Lord:
  • Hebrew: Yir'at YHWH (וְיִרְאַת יְהוָה). Yir'at (fear) in this context is not terror but profound reverence, awe, and submission to God's holiness and authority. It is the deepest respect, leading to moral integrity and obedience to divine will, foundational to all true wisdom and knowledge (Prov 1:7).

Words-group analysis:

• "The Sixfold / Sevenfold Spirit": The phrase lists six distinct attributes of the Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord) in addition to "the Spirit of the Lord" itself. This grouping is often interpreted as signifying the completeness, perfection, and multi-faceted nature of the Messiah's divine endowment. Each aspect represents a crucial component for perfect kingship and character.
• Pairings: The attributes are presented in pairs:
  1. Wisdom and Understanding: Pertain to the intellectual and discerning aspects of the Messiah's mind, enabling perfect judgment and insight.
  2. Counsel and Might: Relate to the administrative and executive power, allowing for divine planning and the strength to implement it.
  3. Knowledge and Fear of the Lord: Address the spiritual and relational aspects, grounding the Messiah's entire being in a deep, reverent relationship with God. This systematic listing provides a holistic picture of His righteous governance and divine character.

Isaiah 11 2 Bonus section

The repeated phrase "the Spirit of" before each pair of attributes emphasizes that these qualities are not inherent human traits of the Messiah, but divine endowments by the Holy Spirit. This highlights the Holy Spirit's essential role in the Messiah's person and ministry. This verse not only describes the Messiah's future character but also sets a divine standard for perfect leadership, where true authority and efficacy stem from complete reliance on God's Spirit, demonstrated through discernment, righteous action, and profound reverence for the Creator.

Isaiah 11 2 Commentary

Isaiah 11:2 paints a definitive portrait of the coming Messiah as the Spirit-anointed ruler. Unlike any earthly king or prophet whose divine empowerment was often temporary or for specific tasks, the Spirit of the Lord "rests" upon this Messiah in a permanent and complete way. The six attributes delineate His perfect capabilities for governance and moral leadership. "Wisdom" and "understanding" equip Him with perfect discernment. "Counsel" and "might" provide the strategy and power to execute righteous judgment and bring forth God's kingdom. "Knowledge" and the "fear of the Lord" root His entire being in a deep, personal relationship with God, ensuring unwavering obedience and holiness. These qualities together describe the ideal Davidic king, perfectly aligned with God's will and able to establish justice and righteousness. This prophecy finds its complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whose life and ministry perfectly exemplified all these Spirit-empowered attributes. He truly possessed divine wisdom, acted with perfect counsel and power, and demonstrated ultimate knowledge and reverent obedience to the Father, establishing an eternal reign founded on these divine characteristics.