Isaiah 11:3-4
And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "fear of the LORD" isn't just about religious piety; it's also the source and standard for the Messiah's discernment. He won't judge by surface appearances or hearsay, but by an inner understanding rooted in his devotion to God. This means his judgments will cut through deception and get to the heart of matters, a skill entirely unlike human fallibility.
This passage continues Isaiah's prophecy about a future king, the Messiah, who will bring justice and peace. Following the immediate context of judgment against the unrighteous, these verses describe the personal character and righteous ruling style of this ideal ruler, highlighting his divine wisdom and impartial justice that will extend even to nature's interactions.
What does it mean to 'delight' in the fear of the Lord? This isn't about being scared, but about a deep reverence that shapes everything.
The verse begins by stating the Messiah's "delight shall be in the fear of the LORD." The original Hebrew word here, related to 'smell' or 'scent,' suggests an intense pleasure and deep appreciation. It's not a fearful, cowering dread, but a profound respect and awe that forms the very core of the Messiah's being and motivation. This delight isn't just an emotion; it's the foundation for His actions and judgments.
This 'fear of the Lord' is the wellspring from which His righteous governance flows. It means His every decision is aligned with God's will and character, resulting in justice and equity.
We often judge people by how they look or sound. But what if true judgment goes deeper?
The verse contrasts the Messiah's judgment with typical human judgment: "He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear." This means His judgment is not based on superficial appearances or hearsay.
Human judges are limited by what they can see and hear. They can be swayed by outward charisma, wealth, or influence, or misled by flattering words and false accusations. But the Messiah, fully God and fully man, has perfect insight. He knows the heart and the true intentions behind actions.
This perfect discernment allows for truly righteous judgment, free from partiality or deception. He pierces through the surface to the reality of a person's heart and motives.
Understand the original words
shaphat · Hebrew Verb
Acting as an arbiter or ruler who determines what is right or wrong. It involves exercising divine justice and making authoritative decisions on behalf of God.
tsedeq · Hebrew Noun
The quality of being morally right, just, and in conformity with God's standard. It is an attribute of God and a requirement for those who follow Him.
dal · Hebrew Noun
The state of being destitute, humble, or suffering. Often used in Scripture to describe those who are physically needy or spiritually dependent on God for justice.
anav · Hebrew Noun
Refers to those who are lowly, humble, or oppressed. It describes a disposition of submission to God or a social status of being marginalized.
This prophecy emerged during a time when the Jewish people had experienced devastating national calamities, including exile and the destruction of their homeland. Their longing for a just and righteous king, who would govern with perfect wisdom and fairness, was deeply rooted in these historical experiences.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Empire Dominance
Under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Shalmaneser V, the Neo-Assyrian Empire exerted significant political and military pressure on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This era of imperial expansion created an atmosphere of fear and instability, influencing the prophetic messages of judgment and hope.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants. This event served as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience and the potential for future destruction and exile.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria besieged Jerusalem. While Jerusalem was miraculously spared from destruction, the surrounding Judean cities were devastated, highlighting the precariousness of Judah's political situation and the Assyrian threat.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
This passage directly echoes Isaiah's point, commanding us not to judge merely by outward appearances, a principle the Messiah perfectly embodies.
1 Samuel 16:7This verse highlights the human limitation of judging by outward appearance ('the sight of the eyes'), contrasting it with God's perspective, which Isaiah 11:3 asserts the Messiah possesses.
Proverbs 3:5-6This proverb describes the wisdom of trusting in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding, which aligns with the Messiah's delight in the fear of the Lord and his discerning judgment.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15This passage explains how the natural person cannot understand spiritual things, but the spiritual person (like the Messiah) can discern all things, directly relating to the Messiah's ability to judge beyond mere appearances or hearsay.
barnesIsaiah 11:3: "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:"
And shall make him of quick understanding - (והריחו vahărı̂ychô) The Septuagint renders this, 'And the spirit of the fear of God shall fill him.' The Chaldee, 'And the Lord shall draw him near to him in his fear.' The Syriac, 'And he shall be resplendent (like the sun, or the stars) in the fear of the Lord.' The H…
pulpitIsaiah 11:3: "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:"
Verse 3. - And shall make him of quick understanding. This rendering of the original, though defended by Dr. Kay, is quite without support from any other passage where the same word is used. Modern writers almost all translate, either "the breath of his nostrils shall be in the fear of the Lord" (Herder, Ewald, Meier…
The phrase "fear of the LORD" isn't just about religious piety; it's also the source and standard for the Messiah's discernment. He won't judge by surface appearances or hearsay, but by an inner understanding rooted in his devotion to God. This means his judgments will cut through deception and get to the heart of matters, a skill entirely unlike human fallibility.
This passage continues Isaiah's prophecy about a future king, the Messiah, who will bring justice and peace. Following the immediate context of judgment against the unrighteous, these verses describe the personal character and righteous ruling style of this ideal ruler, highlighting his divine wisdom and impartial justice that will extend even to nature's interactions.
This passage continues Isaiah's prophecy about a future king, the Messiah, who will bring justice and peace. Following the immediate context of judgment against the unrighteous, these verses describe the personal character and righteous ruling style of this ideal ruler, highlighting his divine wisdom and impartial justice that will extend even to nature's interactions.
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rasha · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
The state of being lawless, guilty, or contrary to God's law. This term describes those who have rejected God's righteous standards.
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon began deporting Judean elites to Babylon, including the prophet Daniel. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of profound crisis and reassessment for the Jewish people.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, culminating the period of exile. This catastrophic event profoundly impacted Jewish identity, theology, and hopes for a future restoration.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon, allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marked a significant turning point, but also a period of rebuilding and re-establishing national and religious life.
c. 6th-5th Century BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Period and Messianic Expectations
In the centuries following the return from exile, the Jewish people lived under foreign rule (Persian, Greek, Roman) and developed heightened expectations for a divinely appointed king who would restore Israel's glory and deliver them from oppression.
"And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of…" — The phrase "fear of the LORD" isn't just about religious piety; it's also the source and standard for the Messiah's discernment. He won't judge by surface appearances or hearsay, but by an inner…
