Isaiah 32 · Verse 1

Isaiah 32:1

Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
Isaiah 32:1, King James Version

Isaiah 32:1 in other translations

BSBBehold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.
WEBBehold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.
ASVBehold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.
YLTLo, for righteousness doth a king reign, As to princes, for judgment they rule.
DARBYBehold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
BBESee, a king will be ruling in righteousness, and chiefs will give right decisions.
WebsterBehold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

What does Isaiah 32:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Is 32:1-20. Messiah's Kingdom; Desolations, to Be Succeeded by Lasting Peace, the Spirit Having Been Poured Out.

The times of purity and happiness which shall follow the defeat of the enemies of Jehovah's people (Is 32:1-8). The period of wrath before that happy state (Is 32:9-14). The assurance of the final prosperity of the Church is repeated (Is 32:15-20). 1. king--not Hezekiah, who was already on the throne, whereas a future time is contemplated. If he be meant at all, it can only be as a type of Messiah the King, to whom alone the language is fully applicable (Ho 3:5; Zec 9:9; see on Is 11:3-5). The kingdom shall be transferred from the world kings, who have exercised their power against God, instead of for God, to the rightful King of kings (Eze 21:27; Da 7:13, 14). princes--subordinate; referring to all in authority under Christ in the coming kingdom on earth, for example, the apostles, &c. (Lu 22:30; 1Co 6:2; 2Ti 2:12; Re 2:26, 27; 3:21).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

Prophecy of great prosperity under Hezekiah; but, in its highest sense, applicable to Christ, Isa 32:1-8. Description of impending calamities, Isa 32:9-14. Rejection of the Jews, and calling of the Gentiles, Isa 32:15. The future prosperity of the Church, Isa 32:16-20. Verse 1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness - If King Hezekiah were a type of Christ, then this prophecy may refer to his time; but otherwise it seems to have Hezekiah primarily in view. It is evident, however, that in the fullest sense these words cannot be applied to any man; God alone can do all that is promised here. And princes - ושרים ve-sarim, without ל lamed, to; so the ancient Versions. An ancient MS. has ושריו vesaraiv, and his princes.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Isaiah 32:1-8
Times of peace and happiness. (Is. 32:1-8) An interval of trouble, yet comfort and blessings in the end. (Is. 32:9-20) Verses 1-8 Christ our righteous King, and his true disciples, are evidently here intended. The consolations and graces of his Spirit are as rivers of water in this dry land; and as the overhanging rock affords refreshing shade and shelter to the weary traveller in the desert, so his power, truth, and love, yield the believer the only real protection and refreshment in the weary land through which he journeys to heaven. Christ bore the storm himself, to keep it off from us. To him let the trembling sinner flee for refuge; for he alone can protect and refresh us in every trial. See what pains sinners take in sin; they labour at it, their hearts are intent upon it, and with art they work iniquity; but this is our comfort, that they can do no more mischief than God permits. Let us seek to have our hearts more freed from selfishness. The liberal soul devises liberal things concerning God, and desires that He will grant wisdom and prudence, the comforts of his presence, the influence of his Spirit, and in due time the enjoyment of his glory.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Isaiah 32:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הֵ֥ןhenthere!H2005
לְצֶ֖דֶקle.Tze.dekfor righteousnessH6664
יִמְלָךְ\־yim.lokh-he will reignH4427
מֶ֑לֶךְMe.lekha kingH4428
וּלְשָׂרִ֖יםu.le.sa.Rimand to rulersH8269
לְמִשְׁפָּ֥טle.mish.Patfor justiceH4941
יָשֹֽׂרוּ\׃ya.So.ruthey will ruleH8323

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Isaiah 32:1

  • Isaiah 9:6-7

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

  • Hebrews 1:8-9

    But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

  • Jeremiah 33:15

    In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

  • Revelation 19:11

    And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

  • 2 Samuel 23:3

    The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

  • Psalms 45:1

    To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

  • Hosea 3:5

    Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days.

  • Ezekiel 37:24

    And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

  • Zechariah 9:9

    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

  • Jeremiah 23:5-6

    Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

  • Isaiah 11:4

    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 40:1-5

    Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 The blessings of Christ's kingdom.
9 Desolation is foreshewn.
15 Restoration is promised to succeed.

king.
9:6,7; 40:1-5; 2Sa 23:3; 2Ch 31:20,21; Ps 45:1,6,7; 72:1,2; 99:4
Jer 23:5,6; 33:15; Ho 3:5; Zec 9:9; Ro 5:21; Heb 1:8,9; Re 19:11
princes.
28:6; Re 17:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Isaiah 32:1

    Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

  • Isaiah 32:2

    And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

Read all of Isaiah 32

Isaiah 32:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		HE aquí que en justicia reinará un rey, y príncipes presidirán en juicio.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Voici, un roi régnera en justice, et des princes domineront avec droiture;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Siehe, ein König wird regieren in Gerechtigkeit; und die Fürsten, sie werden nach Recht herrschen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ecce in justitia regnabit rex, et principes in judicio præerunt.