Isaiah 32:5 kjv
The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.
Isaiah 32:5 nkjv
The foolish person will no longer be called generous, Nor the miser said to be bountiful;
Isaiah 32:5 niv
No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
Isaiah 32:5 esv
The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable.
Isaiah 32:5 nlt
In that day ungodly fools will not be heroes.
Scoundrels will not be respected.
Isaiah 32 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 5:20 | Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil… | Condemnation of moral inversion |
| Psa 36:1-2 | An oracle about iniquity of the wicked: …He flattereth himself… | Describes flattering self-deception of the wicked |
| Pro 26:4-5 | Answer not a fool according to his folly… lest thou also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly… lest he be wise in his own conceit. | Wisdom vs. folly recognition |
| Jer 17:11 | As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not… | Ill-gotten gains bring no lasting profit |
| Acts 5:1-2 | But a certain man named Ananias… with his wife Sapphira… sold a possession… kept back part of the price… | Hypocrisy and deception leading to ruin |
| 1 Cor 6:9-10 | Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom… | Lists those who will not inherit God's kingdom |
| Gal 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are manifest… shall not inherit the kingdom of God. | Similar list of fleshly vices |
| Eph 5:3-7 | But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness… be ye therefore not partakers with them. | Warning against ungodly behavior |
| Col 3:5-6 | Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth… anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy… | Call to put off old self and sins |
| Tit 1:7-11 | For a bishop must be blameless… a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word… | Qualities of faithful leaders |
| Heb 1:9 | Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee… | Christ's love for righteousness |
| 1 Pet 2:16 | As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. | True freedom is not for practicing evil |
| 1 John 1:6-7 | If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie… | Fellowship with God requires walking in light |
| Rev 21:27 | And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the book of life of the Lamb. | Purity of the New Jerusalem |
| Ps 1:1-2 | Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly… | The righteous vs. the wicked |
| Isa 60:21 | Thy people also shall be all righteous… | Prophecy of universal righteousness |
| Jer 31:33 | But this shall be the covenant that I will make… I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts… | The New Covenant, transforming behavior |
| Ezek 36:25-27 | Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you… a new spirit will I put within you… | God's Spirit transforming the inner person |
| Rom 6:2 | God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? | Freedom from sin's dominion |
| Eph 4:22-24 | That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. | Putting off the old self and putting on the new |
Isaiah 32 verses
Isaiah 32 5 Meaning
A fool will no longer be called noble, nor a scoundrel be called honorable. This verse describes a future time of radical transformation where societal values are inverted due to the presence of God's righteousness. Wickedness will be so obviously wrong that those who practice it will not be esteemed or considered worthy of praise, unlike in the present age where evil can sometimes be cloaked or even celebrated.
Isaiah 32 5 Context
Isaiah 32 prophesies a future reign of righteousness, established when Messiah, the King, comes. This chapter contrasts the current oppressive and corrupt leadership with the future rule of justice and peace. Verse 5 specifically highlights the dramatic moral shift that will occur. It's set against the backdrop of the Davidic dynasty and the eventual restoration of Israel, culminating in the Messianic era. The surrounding verses speak of wise rulers and a flourishing land, a direct answer to the failures of previous kings.
Isaiah 32 5 Word Analysis
- גָּבֶר (gaver): This Hebrew word translates to "man," "strong man," or "mighty man." Here it signifies any individual, emphasizing that in this future state, such status will not be wrongly attributed to a wicked person.
- יִקָּרֵא (yikare): A passive verb meaning "will be called" or "will be named." It points to reputation and the way society labels individuals.
- שׁוּעַ (shua): Means "rich," "wealthy," or "noble" in the sense of esteemed social standing, often associated with wealth.
- כְּסִיל (kesil): This translates to "fool," "stupid," or "stubborn." It refers to someone lacking wisdom, particularly moral understanding.
- עָשִׁיר (ashir): Meaning "rich" or "wealthy," but in this context, it likely implies status and honor derived from wealth or power.
- נִבְזֶה (nivzeh): A passive participle meaning "despised" or "contemptible."
Grouped Analysis:
- "No more will the fool be called noble": This signifies the removal of false honor. Those characterized by foolishness (lack of divine wisdom and moral discernment) will not be wrongly elevated or recognized as esteemed (noble).
- "nor the scoundrel be called honorable": This similarly points to the end of undeserved respect for those who practice deceit and wickedness (scoundrels). Their evil deeds will prevent them from being granted dignity or reputable titles.
Isaiah 32 5 Bonus Section
This verse is a powerful depiction of the transformative power of God's reign. It's not merely about political change, but a deep moral and social reordering. The "fool" (kesil) here represents more than just lack of intellect; it denotes someone who intentionally disregards God's ways, embodying folly in their actions and choices. The "scoundrel" (nivzeh could also suggest this) is one who plans and acts wickedly. This prophecy is a foretaste of the New Jerusalem, where "nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices detestable things or tells lies, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life" (Rev 21:27). It highlights that genuine honor stems from righteousness and God's imputed righteousness through faith in Christ, which is ultimately what distinguishes God’s people.
Isaiah 32 5 Commentary
In the age to come, established by divine justice, superficial titles and false honors will cease. True character, aligned with God's righteousness, will be the sole basis for recognition. The ungodly, whose hearts are filled with folly and wickedness, will be stripped of any facade of respectability they might currently possess or aspire to. Their deeds will expose their true nature, preventing them from being erroneously labeled with honorable terms. This is a testament to a society where moral clarity prevails, and virtue is justly esteemed, while vice is universally seen for what it is—worthy of rebuke, not respect.