King James Version

What Does Isaiah 32:2 Mean?

Isaiah 32:2 in the King James Version says “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, a...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 32:2 · King James Version

Context

1

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

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. great: Heb. heavy

3

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

4

The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. rash: Heb. hasty plainly: or, elegantly

Read Isaiah 32 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind (וְהָיָה־אִישׁ כְּמַחֲבֵא־רוּחַ, vehayah-ish kemachave-ruach)—a אִישׁ (ish, man) will be like a מַחֲבֵא (machave, hiding place, shelter) from רוּחַ (ruach, wind, spirit). And a covert from the tempest (וְסֵתֶר זָרֶם, veseter zarem)—a סֵתֶר (seter, covering, hiding place) from זֶרֶם (zerem, flood, downpour, storm). As rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land (כְּפַלְגֵי־מַיִם בְּצָיוֹן כְּצֵל סֶלַע־כָּבֵד בְּאֶרֶץ עֲיֵפָה, kefalegey-mayim betsayon ketsel sela-kaved be'erets ayefah).

The 'man' (אִישׁ, ish) is most naturally the Messianic king of verse 1. He provides shelter from life's storms—not removing trials but being present refuge within them. The imagery accumulates: hiding from wind, cover from tempest, water in desert, shade from rock. Each metaphor addresses desperate need: exposure, flood, thirst, exhaustion. Christ embodies all—John 4:14 (living water), Matthew 11:28 (rest for weary), Psalm 61:2 (rock higher than I). First Corinthians 10:4 identifies Christ as the rock providing water in wilderness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern travelers understood these metaphors viscerally. Desert winds could sandblast exposed travelers; flash floods in wadis killed; dehydration meant death; scorching sun caused collapse. Finding shelter—a rock outcropping, a water source—meant survival. Isaiah's audience, living in semi-arid climate, instantly grasped the life-or-death nature of these provisions. Christ is life itself in the wilderness of fallen world.

Reflection Questions

  1. How have you experienced Christ as 'hiding place,' 'water,' and 'shade' during life's storms and deserts?
  2. What does it mean that He doesn't remove storms but shelters us within them?
  3. Who in your life needs to discover Christ as refuge—and how can you point them to Him?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְהָיָה1 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִ֥ישׁ2 of 14

“And a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כְּמַֽחֲבֵא3 of 14

“shall be as an hiding place”

H4224

a refuge

ר֖וּחַ4 of 14

“from the wind”

H7307

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

וְסֵ֣תֶר5 of 14

“and a covert”

H5643

a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)

זָ֑רֶם6 of 14

“from the tempest”

H2230

a gush of water

כְּפַלְגֵי7 of 14

“as rivers”

H6388

a rill (i.e., small channel of water, as in irrigation)

מַ֣יִם8 of 14

“of water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

בְּצָי֔וֹן9 of 14

“in a dry place”

H6724

a desert

כְּצֵ֥ל10 of 14

“as the shadow”

H6738

shade, whether literal or figurative

סֶֽלַע11 of 14

“rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

כָּבֵ֖ד12 of 14

“of a great”

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ13 of 14

“land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עֲיֵפָֽה׃14 of 14

“in a weary”

H5889

languid

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 32:2 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 32:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 25:4Isaiah 9:6Isaiah 44:3Isaiah 7:14Micah 5:4-5Psalms 143:9

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