King James Version

What Does Isaiah 11:4 Mean?

Isaiah 11:4 in the King James Version says “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite th...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. reprove: or, argue”

Isaiah 11:4 · KJV

Context

2

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

3

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: quick: Heb. scent or, smell

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. reprove: or, argue

5

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

6

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Read Isaiah 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Messiah's righteous judgment favors the poor and meek while striking the wicked. 'Judge the poor...with righteousness' and 'reprove with equity for the meek' show His advocacy for the vulnerable. 'He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth' indicates powerful verbal judgment. 'With the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked' shows that His word alone executes judgment—no physical weapon needed. This describes Christ's two advents: first coming brought righteousness for the poor in spirit; second coming brings judgment on the wicked.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's ministry prioritized the poor and meek (Matthew 5:3-5; Luke 4:18). His teaching judged religious hypocrites (Matthew 23). At second coming, His word alone will defeat enemies (Revelation 19:15, 21). Paul quotes this verse regarding Christ destroying the Antichrist 'with the breath of his mouth' (2 Thessalonians 2:8). The pattern is consistent: Christ's word saves the humble and judges the proud.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's special concern for the poor and meek reflect God's heart?
  2. What does it mean that Christ's word alone is powerful enough to execute judgment?
  3. How should we as Christians reflect this same priority for justice toward the vulnerable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְשָׁפַ֤ט1 of 15

“shall he judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

בְּצֶ֙דֶק֙2 of 15

“But with righteousness”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

דַּלִּ֔ים3 of 15

“the poor”

H1800

properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin

וְהוֹכִ֥יחַ4 of 15

“and reprove”

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

בְּמִישׁ֖וֹר5 of 15

“with equity”

H4334

a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (

לְעַנְוֵי6 of 15

“for the meek”

H6035

depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly)

אֶ֙רֶץ֙7 of 15

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְהִֽכָּה8 of 15

“and he shall smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶ֙רֶץ֙9 of 15

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט10 of 15

“with the rod”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

פִּ֔יו11 of 15

“of his mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וּבְר֥וּחַ12 of 15

“and with the breath”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

שְׂפָתָ֖יו13 of 15

“of his lips”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

יָמִ֥ית14 of 15

“shall he slay”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

רָשָֽׁע׃15 of 15

“the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 11:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 11:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Thessalonians 2:8Revelation 19:15Malachi 4:6Proverbs 31:8-9Job 4:9Isaiah 61:1

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