Isaiah 11:4
Isaiah 11:4 in Multiple Translations
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
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.
but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide 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.
But he will do right in the cause of the poor, and give wise decisions for those in the land who are in need; and the rod of his mouth will come down on the cruel, and with the breath of his lips he will put an end to the evil-doer.
Instead, he will judge the poor justly, and make decisions fairly on behalf of the destitute people of the earth. He will strike the earth when he pronounces judgment, and he will execute the wicked with just a word from his lips.
But with righteousnesse shall he iudge the poore, and with equitie shall he reprooue for the meeke of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lippes shall he slay the wicked.
And he hath judged in righteousness the poor, And decided in uprightness for the humble of earth, And hath smitten earth with the rod of his mouth, And with the breath of his lips he putteth the wicked to death.
but he will judge the poor with righteousness, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.
But with righteousness will he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he will smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips will he slay the wicked.
But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: land he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
He will judge the cases of needy people fairly; and he will act justly toward poor people. He will punish evil people as a result of what he decides [MTY]; he will get rid of wicked people because of [MTY] their behavior.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 11:4
BAB
Word Study
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Isaiah 11:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/שָׁפַ֤ט
בְּ/צֶ֨דֶק֙
דַּלִּ֔ים
וְ/הוֹכִ֥יחַ
בְּ/מִישׁ֖וֹר
לְ/עַנְוֵי
אָ֑רֶץ
וְ/הִֽכָּה
אֶ֨רֶץ֙
בְּ/שֵׁ֣בֶט
פִּ֔י/ו
וּ/בְ/ר֥וּחַ
שְׂפָתָ֖י/ו
יָמִ֥ית
רָשָֽׁע
וְ/שָׁפַ֤ט
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
בְּ/צֶ֨דֶק֙
tsedeq
H6664
Righteousness
Prep | N-ms
דַּלִּ֔ים
dal
H1800
poor
Adj
וְ/הוֹכִ֥יחַ
yâkach
H3198
to rebuke
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
בְּ/מִישׁ֖וֹר
mîyshôwr
H4334
plain
Prep | N-ms
לְ/עַנְוֵי
ʻânâv
H6035
poor
Prep | Adj
אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
וְ/הִֽכָּה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
אֶ֨רֶץ֙
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
בְּ/שֵׁ֣בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
Prep | N-ms
פִּ֔י/ו
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
וּ/בְ/ר֥וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
Conj | Prep | N-cs
שְׂפָתָ֖י/ו
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd | Suff
יָמִ֥ית
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
רָשָֽׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 11:4
וְ/שָׁפַ֤ט
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
בְּ/צֶ֨דֶק֙
tsedeq
H6664
"Righteousness"
Prep | N-ms
Represents the idea of righteousness or justice, often referring to God's character or the standard for human behavior. It is closely tied to the concept of morality and what is right. The word is used to describe the ideal for human conduct and society.
Definition: This name means justice, righteousness Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] even, ([idiom] that which is altogether) just(-ice), (un-)right(-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness). See also: Leviticus 19:15; Psalms 119:138; Psalms 4:2.
דַּלִּ֔ים
dal
H1800
"poor"
Adj
The Hebrew word for someone who is poor or weak, often describing those in need of help or assistance. In the book of Proverbs, it warns against oppressing the poor, and in Psalm 35:10, it describes the needy and the poor. The word is also used in Isaiah 41:17.
Definition: low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: lean, needy, poor (man), weaker. See also: Exodus 23:3; Proverbs 19:17; Psalms 41:2.
וְ/הוֹכִ֥יחַ
yâkach
H3198
"to rebuke"
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
This Hebrew word means to rebuke or correct, and is used in the Bible to describe arguing, judging, or convincing someone of their wrongdoings. It is seen in the KJV translation as rebuke or reprove. The word is used in various forms, including to describe God's correction of his people.
Definition: 1) to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to decide, judge 1a2) to adjudge, appoint 1a3) to show to be right, prove 1a4) to convince, convict 1a5) to reprove, chide 1a6) to correct, rebuke 1b) (Hophal) to be chastened 1c) (Niphal) to reason, reason together 1d) (Hithp) to argue
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise. See also: Genesis 20:16; Psalms 38:2; Psalms 6:2.
בְּ/מִישׁ֖וֹר
mîyshôwr
H4334
"plain"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a level or plain area, often used to describe a geographical region. It can also mean uprightness or justice, and is sometimes used to describe a place of equity or fairness. In the Bible, it appears in various translations, including plain and straight.
Definition: 1) level place, uprightness 1a) level country, table-land, plain 1b) level place 1c) uprightness
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: equity, even place, plain, right(-eously), (made) straight, uprightness. See also: Deuteronomy 3:10; Psalms 27:11; Psalms 26:12.
לְ/עַנְוֵי
ʻânâv
H6035
"poor"
Prep | Adj
To be poor or humble, often describing someone who is meek or weak. In the Bible, it can also mean to be afflicted or lowly, as seen in Matthew 5:5.
Definition: 1) poor, humble, afflicted, meek 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak and afflicted 1d) humble, lowly, meek
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: humble, lowly, meek, poor. Compare H6041 (עָנִי). See also: Numbers 12:3; Psalms 147:6; Psalms 9:13.
אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וְ/הִֽכָּה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
אֶ֨רֶץ֙
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
בְּ/שֵׁ֣בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
Prep | N-ms
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
פִּ֔י/ו
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
וּ/בְ/ר֥וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
Conj | Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
שְׂפָתָ֖י/ו
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd | Suff
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
יָמִ֥ית
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
רָשָֽׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
Study Notes — Isaiah 11:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 11:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 11:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 11:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 11:4
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 11:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
- Sermons on Isaiah 11:4
Context — The Root of Jesse
2The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
3And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear,
4but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
5Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist. 6The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Thessalonians 2:8 | And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. |
| 2 | Revelation 19:15 | And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. |
| 3 | Malachi 4:6 | And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.” |
| 4 | Job 4:9 | By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed. |
| 5 | Matthew 5:5 | Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. |
| 6 | Psalms 72:12–14 | For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight. |
| 7 | Proverbs 31:8–9 | Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. |
| 8 | Isaiah 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, |
| 9 | James 3:13 | Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. |
| 10 | Galatians 5:23 | gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. |
Isaiah 11:4 Summary
This verse tells us that the Messiah will make fair and just decisions, especially for those who are poor or marginalized. He will use the power of His words to bring judgment and restoration, and will rule with righteousness and equity. This means that we can trust in His goodness and justice, as seen in Psalm 37:28, where God is described as loving justice and righteousness. As we look to the Messiah as our example, we can strive to use our own words and actions to bring life and love to those around us, as seen in Ephesians 4:29, where we are encouraged to speak words that build others up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the Messiah to judge with righteousness?
This means that the Messiah will make fair and just decisions, without being swayed by appearances or hearsay, as Isaiah 11:3 mentions He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, but with righteousness He will judge the poor.
How will the Messiah strike the earth with the rod of His mouth?
This is a metaphor for the power of the Messiah's words, as seen in Isaiah 55:11, where God's word will not return empty, and in Revelation 19:15, where Jesus will rule with an iron scepter, showing that His words have the power to bring judgment and restoration.
Who are the wicked that will be slain by the breath of His lips?
The wicked refers to those who reject God and His ways, as mentioned in Psalm 1:1-6, where the wicked are those who do not follow God's law, and in Matthew 25:31-46, where the wicked are those who do not show love and care for others.
How does this verse relate to the character of God?
This verse shows that God is a God of justice and righteousness, as seen in Psalm 89:14, where righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's throne, and in Deuteronomy 32:4, where God is described as a rock of integrity, and His works are perfect.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to you that the Messiah will judge with righteousness, and how can you apply this principle to your own life?
- How can you trust in the Messiah's power and wisdom, especially when faced with difficult decisions or challenges?
- What does it mean to be one of the 'lowly of the earth' that the Messiah will decide for, and how can you identify with this group?
- How can you use your own words and actions to bring life and restoration to those around you, rather than judgment and condemnation?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor,.... The poor sinner, that is sensible of his spiritual poverty, and comes and acknowledges his sins and transgressions, and prays for pardoning grace
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
Judge the poor; defend and deliver them, as judging is oft used, as 22:16, &c. Or, judge for the poor; the prefix lamed being understood out of the next clause, as is usual in the Hebrew language. He mentions the poor, partly to signify the justice of this Judge, because human judges commonly neglect and oppress the poor; and partly to declare the nature of Christ’ s kingdom, and the quality of his subjects, who should, for the generality of them, be the poor and contemptible sort of men, . Reprove; or, as this word seems to be taken, , condemn, to wit, their malicious and furious enemies. For the meek; on their behalf, or giving sentence for them. He calls them meek, whom before he called poor, partly to show his justice in defending them who are most exposed to the contempt and injuries of men and partly to signify that his subjects should be poor in spirit as well as in the world, and not poor and proud, as many worldly men are. Smite, i.e. slay, as this word is used, , and very commonly, and as it is expounded in the next clause. The earth; the men of the earth, the wicked, as it is in the next branch of the verse; fitly called earth, either because of their earthly minds and conversations, as they are called the men of this world that have their portion here upon the earth, , or because the far greatest part of the inhabitants of the earth is wicked; the whole world lies in wickedness, ,9; for which reason they are oft called the world, as 17:9,25, &c. With the rod of his mouth; with his word, which is his sceptre, and the rod of his power, , which is sharper than a sword, ; by the preaching whereof he subdued the world to himself, and will destroy his enemies, . This he adds, further to declare the nature of Christ’ s kingdom, that it is not of this world, and that his sceptre and arms are not carnal, but spiritual, as it is said, .
With the breath of his lips; with his word breathed out of his lips, whereby he explains what he meant by the foregoing rod. Shall he slay the wicked; either spiritually, by inflicting deadly plagues upon their souls; or properly, which he doth very frequently by his terrible judgments executed upon many of them, and will certainly do, and that fully and universally, at his coming to judgment.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
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.Ver. 4. But with righteousness judge the poor,] i.e., The poor in spirit, those meek ones of the earth. So the Anabaptists of Germany called themselves, and said that now the promise must be fulfilled, "The meek shall inherit the earth"; whenas they by blood, rapine, cruel wars, seized on the possessions of others. And have we not now among us many loaves of the same leaven, brats of the same breed, bloody in their positions and dispositions - the fifth monarchy men they call themselves. Christ Jesus (as he hath lately to his great praise, so still) preserve and bless us out of their bloody fingers, and from their prodigious principles and practices. He hath promised it here, and much more: thou shalt "give thy judgment to the king" (Christ), "and he shall deliver the poor" - viz., from all foes and persecutors. And he shall smite the earth,] i.e., Earthly minded men, who are "of the earth, speak of the earth, and the earth heareth them." As the earth is cold and dry, so are they. As the earth is heavy, and beareth downward, so do they. As the earth keepeth down hot exhalations that naturally would ascend, so is it with such. And lastly, as the earth standeth still in the midst of heaven, and taketh no notice of the whole circumference that is carried around it, so are earthly men stupid and insensible, &c.
Howbeit "by the rod of his mouth," that is, by the preaching of the gospel, Christ doth again secretly "smite the earth," that is, the consciences of carnal people, glued to the earth, making them sound heavily as a shawm. And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.] The devil and his deputies, Antichrist especially, and that with little ado, even with a blast of his lips only; as with his bare word he laid on their backs those soldiers that came to apprehend him. This was written May 1, 1657. A mediaeval musical instrument of the oboe class, having a double reed enclosed in a globular mouthpiece.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
(4) With righteousness shall he judge the poor . . .—The picture which Isaiah had drawn of the corrupt judges of his time gives point to the contrast (Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 2:14-15; Isaiah 10:1-2). The poor whom they trampled on should be the special objects of the care of the true King (Matthew 11:5). He shall smite the earth . . .—The “earth” stands here, if we accept the reading, for the rulers who are for the time supreme in it. A slight alteration of the Hebrew gives shall smite the tyrant, which forms a better parallelism with the “ungodly” of the next clause. The phrase “the sceptre of his mouth” is significant. The word which the Messiah-King speaks shall be as the sceptre which is the symbol of authority. So in Revelation 1:16, “a sharp two-edged sword” comes forth from the mouth of the Christ of St. John’s vision. The latter clause, “with the breath of his lips shall he slay . . . ,”has a parallel in Hosea 6:5.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
Verse 4. With the rod of his mouth - "By the blast of his mouth"] For בשבט beshebet, by the rod, Houbigant reads beshebeth, by the blast of his mouth, from נשב nashab, to blow. The conjecture is ingenious and probable; and seems to be confirmed by the Septuagint and Chaldee, who render it by the word of his mouth, which answers much better to the correction than to the present reading. Add to this, that the blast of his mouth is perfectly parallel to the breath of his lips in the next line.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 11:4
4. The special objects of his care are the defenceless and down-trodden classes (cf. ch. Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 10:2). Observe that the sporadic outbreak of injustice and violence does not appear to be excluded from Isaiah’s conception of the Messianic age; only, the transgressors are at once discovered and destroyed. the meek of the earth] Possibly “the oppressed in the land.” Two words (‘βnξ and ‘βnβv) are often confounded in the Hebr. Text; the former means simply to be in abject circumstances, the latter includes the religious virtue of resignation to an adverse lot (Rahlfs, ‘Anξ und ‘Anaw in den Psalmen). he shall smite the earth] The word for “earth” (’ereη) is probably written wrongly for ‘βrξη “oppressor.” It is not permissible, with Del. &c., to explain “earth” in the N.T. sense of “the (ungodly) world,” or “Wicked,” in the next clause, of the Antichrist (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8). with the rod of his mouth … with the breath of his lips] Cf. Revelation 1:6. The Messiah’s sentence has a self-fulfilling energy (cf. Hosea 6:5; Acts 5:1-10). This reveals the operation of the “spirit of might,” as Isaiah 11:3 represents the effect of the “spirit of wisdom.”
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 11:4
Shall he judge the poor - That is, he shall see that impartial justice is done them; he shall not take part with the rich against the poor, but shall show that he is the friend of justice.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 11:4
4. With righteousness shall he judge the poor — Shall see that their cause is not repressed, but dealt with exactly right: “the poor” who cannot commend their case to the eye.
Sermons on Isaiah 11:4
| Sermon | Description | |
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Eyewitnesses of His Glory by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the Transfiguration of Jesus, highlighting that it served as a pivotal moment for the disciples, providing them with a vision of His |
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Be Filled and Be Filled Now! by Roy Hession | The preacher delves into the concept of 'katargeo,' which means to render something powerless or ineffective. This term is often used in the New Testament to describe the nullifica |
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Ezekiel 44:1 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the imminent return of Christ, detailing the events that must precede His coming, including the rapture of the church, the tribulation, the revelation of the |
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Duties of Protestants by Ian Paisley | Ian Paisley preaches about the importance of understanding the strength and principles of the adversary, particularly focusing on the system of Rome and its unchangeable policy. He |
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The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven by Lewis Sperry Chafer | Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the prophetic visions given to Daniel, outlining the course of the Gentile period from the last captivity to the second coming of Christ. Daniel's d |
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The Rapture of the Saints Raised or Changed at Christ's Coming. by William Kelly | William Kelly preaches about the importance of understanding the true hope of the Church, emphasizing the imminent return of Christ and the need to be prepared for His coming. He c |
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Day 257, Revelation 19 by David Servant | David Servant preaches about the battle of Armageddon, where Jesus swiftly defeats the great harlot, the beast, the false prophet, and their deluded armies, sealing their fate befo |