Isaiah 5 16

Isaiah 5:16 kjv

But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

Isaiah 5:16 nkjv

But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, And God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness.

Isaiah 5:16 niv

But the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will be proved holy by his righteous acts.

Isaiah 5:16 esv

But the LORD of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.

Isaiah 5:16 nlt

But the LORD of Heaven's Armies will be exalted by his justice.
The holiness of God will be displayed by his righteousness.

Isaiah 5 verses

Isaiah 5 16 Meaning

Isaiah 5:16 declares that the supreme and sovereign God will be elevated and His true nature acknowledged through the clear demonstration of His unwavering justice. In His holy character, He will unequivocally reveal His perfect righteousness through His decisive actions, particularly in bringing judgment against unrighteousness. This ultimately vindicates His character and establishes His moral authority.

Isaiah 5 16 Context

Isaiah chapter 5 is a profound prophetic discourse, opening with the "Song of the Vineyard" (v. 1-7), which allegorically depicts Israel as God's carefully cultivated vineyard that, despite all divine provisions, failed to yield righteous fruit, producing only "wild grapes" of injustice. This sets the stage for God's coming judgment. The chapter then transitions into a series of six "woes" (v. 8-25) against specific societal and spiritual sins prevalent in Judah: greed, drunkenness and revelry, mocking God's work, moral confusion (calling evil good and good evil), self-conceit, and perverting justice for bribes. The immediate context of verse 16 follows a lamentation about how people fail to consider God's work (v. 12), and it is contrasted directly with the societal degradation and unrighteousness described.

Historically, Judah at this time was characterized by spiritual apostasy, social corruption, and a superficial religiosity that lacked true obedience to God's covenant. Prophets like Isaiah confronted a society where the powerful oppressed the weak, and divine law was openly disregarded. Within this backdrop of pervasive injustice and human pride, Isaiah 5:16 serves as a definitive statement of divine response, asserting God's immutable character and His ultimate resolve to intervene. It reassures that despite humanity's disregard for truth and justice, God will assert His sovereignty, bringing judgment to purify His name and demonstrate His righteous standards.

Isaiah 5 16 Word analysis

• But (אַךְ - 'Ach): This is a strong adversative particle, emphasizing a distinct contrast. It shifts focus from humanity's sinful state and subsequent punishment (described in preceding verses) to God's inherent and unchangeable nature. It stresses the certainty and emphasis of God's action.

• the LORD of hosts (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - YHWH Tz’va’ot): "YHWH" is the sacred, personal, and covenant name of God, revealing His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness. "Tz’va’ot" literally means "armies" or "hosts," signifying His supreme authority over all creation—heavenly beings, cosmic forces, and human armies. This title underscores His omnipotence and absolute control, assuring the certainty and power by which He executes His will, especially in judgment.

• will be exalted (וְנִשָּׂא - ve'nissa; Niphal participle from נָשָׂא - nasah, meaning "to lift, carry, elevate"): This is a passive or reflexive form. It implies that God will be lifted up, magnified, or acknowledged as supremely powerful and sovereign, not necessarily by human effort, but through His own actions and manifestations. His renown will be clearly displayed, and His inherent greatness recognized as a result of His deeds.

• in justice (בְּמִשְׁפָּט - b'mishpat): "Mishpat" refers to righteous judgment, equitable rule, divine law, and the administration of justice. It denotes the fair and consistent application of what is right. God's exaltation is intrinsically linked to His just actions; it is through His righteous judgment, not apart from it, that He reveals His supremacy.

• and the Holy God (וְהָאֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ - ve'Ha'El HaKadosh): "El" is a generic term for God, signifying power and deity. "HaKadosh" (the Holy) highlights God's absolute moral purity, His distinctness and separation from all sin and defilement, and His majestic otherness. This title emphasizes His untainted perfection and righteous standard.

• will show Himself holy (וְנִקְדַּשׁ - ve'niqdash; Niphal imperfect from קָדַשׁ - qadash, "to be holy, consecrated"): This passive/reflexive verb means "to be made holy," "to be sanctified," or "to demonstrate one's holiness." It indicates that God’s inherent holiness, His unblemished purity, will be clearly revealed and affirmed through His active demonstration. He will prove His holiness in actions, not that He needs to become holy, but that His holiness will be undeniably displayed and vindicated to all.

• in righteousness (בִּצְדָקָה - bi'tzedaqah): "Tzedaqah" denotes moral integrity, ethical uprightness, adherence to divine standards, and acts of just and right behavior. It encompasses God's consistent fidelity to His own character. His holiness is not abstract; it is concretely manifested through His perfect and morally faultless actions, particularly in rectifying wrongs.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "But the LORD of hosts will be exalted in justice": This powerful statement emphasizes God's ultimate supremacy and vindication through His active and righteous governance. It signifies that divine authority will not be obscured by human sin; instead, God's inherent greatness will be vividly demonstrated through the execution of His perfect judgments. This contrasts sharply with the perverted justice of humanity described earlier in the chapter.
  • "and the Holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness": This parallel declaration underscores the active manifestation of God's character. His intrinsic holiness is not a passive attribute but an dynamic reality revealed through His morally perfect actions. His deeds, particularly those of righteous retribution and establishment of right order, confirm and display His pure and distinct nature, asserting His divine standard in opposition to human depravity.

Isaiah 5 16 Bonus section

• The verse presents a significant theological corrective against any notion of divine passivity or compromise with sin. It emphasizes that God’s response to unrighteousness is not arbitrary anger but an outpouring of His essential being—justice and holiness.
• The use of Niphal stem ("will be exalted," "will show Himself holy") for the verbs highlights that God's exaltation and the manifestation of His holiness are not dependent on human recognition but are results of His own decisive and powerful actions, ultimately for His glory.
• The parallel structure reinforces the inseparability of God’s justice and His holiness. His holiness is expressed through His righteous deeds, and His justice is a manifestation of His holy character. They are two sides of the same divine reality.
• This verse assures that no human perversion of justice, social disorder, or spiritual blindness can ultimately diminish or hide God's attributes; He will undeniably reveal them through His dealings with humanity.

Isaiah 5 16 Commentary

Isaiah 5:16 stands as a profound theological anchor in a chapter primarily detailing Judah's moral decline and God's impending judgment. It provides a crucial corrective and a glimpse into God's character and purposes. Despite the pervasive human injustice and rebellion, God remains unequivocally supreme and will manifest His character fully. "The LORD of hosts," the sovereign power over all, is not an absent or indifferent deity; rather, He will be "exalted in justice." This means His divine preeminence and authority are inherently linked to and revealed through His righteous judgments and the administration of perfect law. His acts of setting things right, often through severe consequences, serve to glorify His name and establish His supreme authority over all creation. Simultaneously, "the Holy God" — absolutely distinct, pure, and morally perfect — will actively "show Himself holy in righteousness." This signifies that God's intrinsic holiness is not merely a static attribute but is demonstrably displayed through His just and righteous deeds. His actions against unrighteousness serve as a clear vindication of His pure character, ensuring that His standard of holiness is unequivocally known and upheld. This verse offers both a dire warning of inescapable judgment for sin and a glorious assurance of God's ultimate victory, purity, and sovereign control, establishing His righteousness as the ultimate standard for all existence.