King James Version

What Does Isaiah 32:1 Mean?

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

Context

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

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. great: Heb. heavy

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

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

XXXII. (1) **Behold, a king shall reign . . .**—More accurately, *the king. *Isaiah 32:1-8 form a separate section, standing in the same relation to the foregoing chapter that the picture of the ideal king in Isaiah 11 does to the anti-Assyrian prophecy of Isaiah 10 “The king” is accordingly the true Anointed one of the future, not, of course without a reference to the character of Hezekiah as the partial and present embodiment of the idea. The addition of *“*princes” worthy of their king emphasises this reference. The words are as an echo of Proverbs 8:15-16.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 32:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.