Isaiah 32 5

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 verses

Isaiah 32 5 meaning

Isaiah 32:5 proclaims a future era where societal values will be re-calibrated by divine standards. In this time of righteousness, individuals will be judged by their true character, not by deceptive appearances or self-proclaimed titles. The morally depraved and spiritually senseless (the "fool") will no longer be lauded as principled, nor will the wicked and corrupt schemer (the "scoundrel") be considered a person of integrity or high standing. This signifies a profound moral awakening and an accurate discernment of character, brought about by God's Spirit and righteous governance.

Isaiah 32 5 Context

Isaiah 32 is part of a larger prophetic section (Isa 28-33) dealing with the Assyrian threat and Judah's faithlessness, yet it ultimately offers a profound message of hope and future restoration under God's righteous rule. This specific verse, Isa 32:5, is found within a description of a coming Messianic king (Isa 32:1) who will reign in righteousness, ushering in a transformed society. Prior to this, the book frequently criticizes corrupt leadership and the moral decay where wicked people hold positions of influence, and justice is perverted. Verse 5 foresees a future marked by true discernment, where the deceitful facades of the wicked and the foolish will be stripped away. It sets the stage for the pouring out of the Spirit (Isa 32:15) and the subsequent era of peace, security, and accurate judgment that will distinguish between good and evil, wisdom and folly.

Isaiah 32 5 Word analysis

• The fool (נָבָל - naval): In Hebrew thought, a naval is more than intellectually deficient; they are morally and spiritually depraved, rejecting God and His ways (Psa 14:1; 1 Sam 25:25). It denotes someone contemptible and worthless in character, marked by a stubborn resistance to moral truth and often behaving impiously and disgracefully.
• will no longer be called (לֹא־יִקָּרֵ֥א - lo-yiqqārē’): This verb emphasizes a cessation of societal mislabeling. It implies that in the new era, true character will be seen, and the titles people assume or are given by a misguided society will be corrected.
• noble (נָדִ֖יב - nadiv): Originally meant "willing," "generous," or "princely." It often describes a person of high moral standing, generosity, and often high social status (e.g., in Ps 113:8; Prov 17:7, 26). The phrase suggests that the morally worthless will cease to be mistaken for genuinely honorable or magnanimous individuals.
• nor the scoundrel (וּלְכִילַ֖י - ūl’kīlay): This Hebrew term, kīlay, appears only twice in the Old Testament (Isa 32:5, 7) and means "trickster," "cheat," "villain," "niggardly" (stingy). It implies someone who is morally worthless, greedy, and deceitful, a base person driven by self-interest and lacking integrity.
• said to be (יֵאָמַ֣ר - yē’āmar): Similar to "will no longer be called," this passive verb indicates a public perception or declaration. It signifies the end of false praise or misplaced respect for the contemptible.
• honorable (שׁוּעַ - shua): This term primarily means "wealthy" or "generous/magnanimous," often implying influence due to riches. While nadiv could denote inherent nobility of character, shua tends to describe a person who is highly regarded due to their prosperity or status, regardless of their true moral worth. The prophetic message ensures that external status alone will not equate to honor when character is lacking.

Words-group analysis:

• "The fool will no longer be called noble": This group highlights the end of mistaken identity in society. A time where shallow appearances or human fallibility in judgment will no longer elevate those of depraved moral character. It signifies a profound shift from a society where such individuals might even gain respect due to their shrewdness, power, or wealth, despite their spiritual emptiness.
• "nor the scoundrel said to be honorable": This second phrase reinforces the first, broadening the scope to include deceitful and morally corrupt individuals who exploit others. It predicts an end to the charade where such figures could receive societal approval or respect simply by manipulating situations or accumulating wealth. The contrast between who they are (scoundrel) and how they are perceived (honorable) will cease. This refers to the cessation of perverted judgment where evil is called good and good evil (Isa 5:20).

Isaiah 32 5 Bonus section

This verse carries a significant polemic against the societal corruption prevalent in Judah's time, where manipulative and godless individuals could gain prominence while righteous ones suffered. It stands as a counter-narrative to human systems that elevate people based on wealth, power, or cleverness, irrespective of their moral standing or devotion to God. The distinction between nadiv (noble, generous) and shua (wealthy, influential) further highlights that in God's ideal kingdom, honor is intrinsically tied to one's character and generosity, not merely to external markers like riches or perceived success, as was often the case in the ancient world and even today. This prophecy looks forward to the eschatological reality where all hidden things will be brought to light and the ultimate judge, Christ, will perfectly discern the heart.

Isaiah 32 5 Commentary

Isaiah 32:5 presents a crucial promise of moral discernment in God's future kingdom, emphasizing the triumph of true character over false perception. In societies tainted by sin, there is often a disturbing reversal of values where the depraved are praised and the deceitful honored, much like a person with empty outward appearances getting honored, and a spiritually deprived being called noble. This verse speaks to the establishment of God's just rule, specifically under the righteous king described in Isa 32:1. When God's Spirit is poured out (Isa 32:15), it will transform hearts, leading to an accurate assessment of people. Folly and wickedness will be exposed for what they truly are, and their proponents will no longer enjoy unmerited respect or status. This moral clarity is foundational to a just society, ensuring that leadership and influence are rightly placed upon those of genuine integrity and godly character, preparing for the coming Messianic age where truth prevails.