Isaiah 32

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 32

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

2And 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.

3And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.

4The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.

5The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said [to be] bountiful.

6For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

7The instruments also of the churl [are] evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.

8But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

9¶ Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.

10Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.

11Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird [sackcloth] upon [your] loins.

12They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

13Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns [and] briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy [in] the joyous city:

14Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

15Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

16Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

17And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

18And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

19When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.

20Blessed [are] ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth [thither] the feet of the ox and the ass.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Isaiah 32 prophesies the coming of a righteous king and rulers who will bring justice, spiritual clarity, and protection to the people. It warns complacent women of impending desolation and barrenness upon the land due to their carelessness. However, this period of judgment is temporary, leading to a future outpouring of the Spirit, which will transform the wilderness into a fruitful field where righteousness, peace, and security will eternally prevail.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with a vision of a future king reigning in righteousness, supported by princes ruling with judgment, providing refuge and spiritual enlightenment to the people. Under this reign, the distinctions between the vile and the liberal will be clear, as the wicked will be exposed for their deceit and oppression, while the truly generous will be recognized. The prophet then issues a stern warning to complacent women, foretelling a period of distress and desolation where the land will become barren and cities forsaken, a consequence of their carefree attitude. Yet, this desolation is not permanent, lasting "until the spirit be poured upon us from on high," leading to a profound transformation. The wilderness will become fruitful, and righteousness, peace, and everlasting assurance will characterize the land, allowing the people to dwell in secure and quiet habitations.

Long Summary

Isaiah 32 commences with a prophetic declaration concerning a future king who will govern with righteousness, and princes who will rule with judgment, establishing an era of justice and equity. This king is metaphorically described as a sanctuary from the elements, a source of life-giving water in a parched land, and a protective shadow in weariness, signifying profound spiritual and physical security. Under his reign, spiritual discernment will be heightened, enabling clear sight and hearing, and even the rash will gain understanding, while the stammering tongue will speak plainly. Furthermore, the moral landscape will be rectified, as the vile and churlish will no longer be misidentified as liberal or bountiful; their true character, marked by villainy, iniquity, hypocrisy, and oppression of the hungry and thirsty, will be revealed. In contrast, the truly liberal person will devise and uphold noble deeds. A significant shift then occurs as the prophet addresses the "women that are at ease" and "careless daughters," warning them of impending trouble and desolation. They are admonished to tremble, strip themselves, and lament, for the vintage will fail, and the land will be overrun with thorns and briers. Palaces will be forsaken, and cities will be abandoned, becoming dens for wild animals, a consequence of the people's complacency and sin. This period of judgment, however, is presented as finite, lasting "until the spirit be poured upon us from on high." This divine outpouring will initiate a transformative restoration, turning the wilderness into a fruitful field and establishing judgment and righteousness throughout the land. The ultimate outcome of this righteousness will be enduring peace, quietness, and assurance for the people, who will inhabit secure and tranquil dwellings. The chapter concludes with a blessing upon those who sow diligently, even in challenging times, symbolizing a return to prosperity and divine favor.

Core Concepts

  • Righteous ReignThe prophecy of a future king and princes who will rule with justice and judgment, bringing spiritual clarity and protection to the people.
  • Spiritual EnlightenmentUnder the righteous reign, people will gain clear understanding, seeing and hearing distinctly, and even the rash will comprehend knowledge and speak plainly.
  • Distinction of CharacterThe chapter highlights the clear differentiation between the vile and the liberal, exposing the wicked for their deceit and oppression, and recognizing the truly generous for their good works.
  • Warning to the ComplacentA direct admonition to the "women at ease" and "careless daughters" concerning impending desolation and barrenness upon the land as a consequence of their indifference and lack of foresight.
  • Divine Judgment and DesolationThe foretelling of a period where the land will suffer, cities will be forsaken, and nature will reclaim once-joyous places due to the people's spiritual state and complacency.
  • Outpouring of the SpiritThe pivotal event where the Spirit is poured from on high, leading to the transformation of the land from wilderness to fruitfulness and the establishment of righteousness.
  • Enduring Peace and SecurityThe ultimate outcome of the Spirit's work, where righteousness brings lasting peace, quietness, and assurance, allowing the people to dwell in secure and tranquil habitations forever.