King James Version

What Does Isaiah 32:5 Mean?

Isaiah 32:5 in the King James Version says “The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.”

Isaiah 32:5 · KJV

Context

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

5

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

6

For 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.

7

The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. the needy: or, he speaketh against the poor in judgment

Read Isaiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The vile person shall be no more called liberal (לֹא־יִקָּרֵא עוֹד לְנָבָל נָדִיב, lo-yiqare od lenaval nadiv)—the נָבָל (naval, fool, vile person, scoundrel) won't be called נָדִיב (nadiv, noble, generous, liberal). Nor the churl said to be bountiful (וּלְכִילַי לֹא יֵאָמֵר שׁוֹעַ, ulekhilay lo ye'amer shoa)—the כִּילַי (kilay, miser, churl) won't be termed שׁוֹעַ (shoa, rich, bountiful).

Messianic kingdom brings moral clarity—evil won't be called good, misers won't be praised as generous. The נָבָל (naval) is morally corrupt (like Nabal in 1 Samuel 25), not merely foolish. Current age permits moral inversion: calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). Politicians reframe greed as 'success,' sexual immorality as 'freedom,' oppression as 'progress.' Christ's reign will expose truth, ending the linguistic sleight-of-hand that disguises vice as virtue. Romans 1:32 describes those who 'knowing the judgment of God... not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them'—celebrating what should be condemned.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout history, propagandists have weaponized language to disguise evil. Slave traders called themselves 'merchants.' Nazis used euphemisms for genocide. Modern culture calls abortion 'choice,' pornography 'entertainment,' greed 'ambition.' The Messianic kingdom will strip away euphemisms, calling things by their true names. Revelation 21:8 and 22:15 exclude specific categories from New Jerusalem—no linguistic camouflage can disguise wickedness before the Judge.

Reflection Questions

  1. What vices does contemporary culture disguise with pleasant-sounding labels?
  2. How does the church sometimes adopt worldly euphemisms rather than biblical truth-telling?
  3. What would it look like for you to speak with Kingdom clarity, calling things what they truly are?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
לֹֽא1 of 9
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִקָּרֵ֥א2 of 9

“shall be no more called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

ע֛וֹד3 of 9
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לְנָבָ֖ל4 of 9

“The vile person”

H5036

stupid; wicked (especially impious)

נָדִ֑יב5 of 9

“liberal”

H5081

properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)

וּלְכִילַ֕י6 of 9

“nor the churl”

H3596

niggardly

לֹ֥א7 of 9
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵֽאָמֵ֖ר8 of 9

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שֽׁוֹעַ׃9 of 9

“to be bountiful”

H7771

a noble, i.e., liberal, opulent; also (as noun in the derived sense) a halloo

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 32:5 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 32:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 5:20Malachi 3:18Psalms 15:41 Samuel 25:3-8Proverbs 23:6-81 Samuel 25:25

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