Isaiah 11:4 kjv
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isaiah 11:4 nkjv
But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
Isaiah 11:4 niv
but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Isaiah 11:4 esv
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Isaiah 11:4 nlt
He will give justice to the poor
and make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word,
and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
Isaiah 11 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 1:17 | "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." | Old Testament Theme of Justice |
| Psalm 9:8 | "and he will judge the world with righteousness; he will govern the peoples with equity." | Messianic Reign |
| Psalm 89:14 | "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you." | Divine Attributes |
| Jeremiah 23:5 | "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch..." | Messianic Prophecy |
| John 5:30 | "I can do nothing on my own. I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me." | Jesus' Testimony of Judgment |
| John 16:8 | "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." | Role of the Holy Spirit |
| Romans 2:2 | "We know that God's judgment is against those who do such things." | Divine Judgment |
| Revelation 19:11 | "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war." | Christ's Victorious Return |
| Revelation 20:12 | "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what each was holding, by what they had done." | Final Judgment |
| Deuteronomy 32:4 | "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he." | God's Perfect Justice |
| Psalm 72:1-7 | A psalm describing the king's righteous rule. | Messianic Reign Description |
| Isaiah 42:1-4 | Prophecy of the Servant who will bring justice to the nations. | Servant Songs |
| Isaiah 61:8 | "For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them." | God's Love for Justice |
| Micah 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | Moral Obligation |
| Matthew 5:6 | "“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." | Beatitudes |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, in the midst of us we saw his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." | Incarnation's Fullness |
| Colossians 2:17 | "...which is a shadow of things to come. But the reality belongs to Christ." | Fulfillment in Christ |
| 1 Peter 4:5 | "They will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." | Judgment of the Living and Dead |
| Romans 14:10-12 | "Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God..." | Christian Judgment |
| Acts 17:31 | "...because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the whole world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” | Universal Judgment |
Isaiah 11 verses
Isaiah 11 4 Meaning
The verse describes Jesus Christ, the Messiah, as ruling with righteousness and justice, not by arbitrary force. His pronouncements bring fairness, and His words are founded on truth. This emphasizes His character as a righteous judge and a reliable source of justice.
Isaiah 11 4 Context
Isaiah chapter 11 prophesies the glorious reign of the Messiah, a descendant of David. The immediate context (verses 1-3) describes the nature of the Messiah – the Holy Spirit resting upon Him, empowering Him with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the LORD. This verse (verse 4) then elaborates on how He will administer His reign, focusing on the principles of righteousness and truth. The preceding verses set the stage for the kind of leadership that will bring an end to injustice and oppression, a stark contrast to the fractured and often unjust human rulers of Isaiah's time. The chapter as a whole moves from a depiction of Israel's dire condition to the promise of a perfect ruler.
Isaiah 11 4 Word Analysis
- וְ (və): "and" - A conjunctive particle connecting this verse to the preceding description of the Messiah's character and equipping.
- שָׁפַט (shapat): "judge," "decide," "govern," "execute judgment." This fundamental Hebrew verb encompasses not only legal judgment but also the broader concept of ruling and administering justice. In this context, it signifies fair and equitable governance.
- בְּצֶדֶק (betzedek): "with righteousness," "in righteousness." "Tzedek" refers to righteousness, justice, and what is right or just according to God's standard. The preposition "b" (with/in) indicates the manner of His judgment.
- וְהוֹכִיחַ (vehōḵiha): "and decide," "and convict," "and reprove," "and settle." This verb implies making a clear determination, often to correct or bring someone to account, and by extension, to establish a case firmly.
- בְּמִישׁוֹר (bemishor): "with equity," "in uprightness," "in fairness." "Mishor" relates to straightness, levelness, and fairness, indicating a lack of partiality or crookedness in His dealings.
- לַעֲנִיֵי (laʿanîyê): "for the poor," "for the afflicted." The singular "ani" is used collectively here to represent the oppressed and needy segments of society.
- אֶרֶץ (erets): "land," "earth." Refers to the dominion or territory over which the Messiah will rule.
- וְתוֹכַחַת (vetōḵaḥat): "and reproof," "and decision," "and correction." Similar to "howachach" earlier in the verse, this noun denotes a verdict or a decisive word, often with corrective implications.
- לְעַמִּי (leʿammî): "for my people," "for my nation." "Am" is a collective term for God's chosen people.
- בְּצֶדֶק (betzedek): "with righteousness." Repeats the concept of righteousness, emphasizing its foundational role.
- מִשְׁפַט (mishpat): "judgment," "justice." A noun related to "shapat," reinforcing the idea of just decisions and governance.
- אֱמֶת (emet): "truth," "faithfulness," "stability," "firmness." "Emet" signifies truth as a solid reality, a reliable foundation.
- חַסִיד (ḥasid): "faithful," "kindly," "devout." Implies loyal devotion and righteous conduct. (Though this word appears in other contexts, it’s important to note the specific sense in which such divine attributes are associated with the Messiah's reign).
- Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "judge with righteousness and decide with equity": This phrase highlights the balanced nature of the Messiah's governance. It is not merely the application of laws but a just ruling based on righteous principles.
- "for the poor of the land": This specifies the beneficiaries of His equitable rule, indicating His preferential concern for the vulnerable and oppressed.
- "and reproof for the people with justice": This underscores that His judgment of His own people will also be marked by justice, not arbitrary pronouncements.
- "for my people...my truth": This pairing connects His justice and judgment to the covenant relationship with His people, indicating that His governance is rooted in His faithfulness to His promises ("emet" as truth and faithfulness).
Isaiah 11 4 Bonus Section
The combination of "righteousness" (tzedek) and "equity" (mishor) emphasizes a holistic approach to justice. "Tzedek" is often about conformity to a standard, God's standard. "Mishor" is about proportionality and fairness in distribution or decision-making. The Messiah's rule will embody both perfect alignment with God's character and a perfectly fair application of His will to His people and the nations. The phrase "truth" (emet) is also linked to His judgment, indicating that His decisions are based on factual reality and divine faithfulness, not deception or error. This sets His reign apart from any earthly kingdom, which often suffers from injustice, corruption, and deception.
Isaiah 11 4 Commentary
This verse outlines the supreme quality of the Messiah's reign: a rule characterized by unwavering righteousness and equity. It is not a capricious or power-driven dominion, but one where every decision and pronouncement is grounded in absolute justice and truth. The Messiah's authority will correct the injustices suffered by the poor and afflicted, demonstrating His profound care for the vulnerable. Furthermore, His judgment upon His own people will be equally characterized by justice, signifying a covenantal faithfulness. This dual emphasis on impartiality for all and specific faithfulness to His covenant people paints a comprehensive picture of divine kingship.
- Practical application:
- Seeking justice in our own lives and communities, reflecting Christ's character.
- Speaking truth even when it's difficult, emulating His word's integrity.
- Showing concern for the marginalized, recognizing His heart for the oppressed.