Isaiah 32:1

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 32:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.
Isaiah 32:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 32

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, &c.] Not Hezekiah, as the Jewish writers; at least only as a type, as some writers interpret it; rather Christ himself, who is “King” not only of the whole world, and of the kings of it in general, but in particular is King of saints; and who “reigns” now in and over his church and people, being set as King by his Father over his holy hill of Zion, and, being exalted at his right hand, is made and declared Lord and Christ; and where he does and will reign until all enemies are put under his feet, and ere long will reign gloriously before his ancients in Jerusalem, (<232423>Isaiah 24:23) and his reign is “in righteousness”; in a righteous manner,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“MESSIAH'S KINGDOM; DESOLATIONS, TO BE SUCCEEDED BY LASTING PEACE, THE SPIRIT HAVING BEEN POURED OUT. (Isa. 32:1-20) king--not Hezekiah, who was already on the throne, whereas a future time is contemplated. If he be meant at all, it can only be as a type of Messiah the King, to whom alone the language is fully applicable (Hos 3:5; Zac 9:9; see on Isa 11:3-5). The kingdom shall be transferred from the world kings, who have exercised their power against God, instead of for God, to the rightful King of kings (Eze 21:27; Dan 7:13-14). princes--subordinate; referring to all in authority under Christ in the coming kingdom on earth, for example, the apostles, &c. (Luk 22:30; Co1 6:2; Ti2 2:12; Rev…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold, a king - That is, Hezekiah. That it refers to him is apparent from the connection. The reign of Ahaz had been one of oppression and idolatry. This was to be succeeded by the reign of one under whom the rights of the people would be secured, and under whom there would be a state of general prosperity. This may have been uttered while Ahaz was on the throne, or it may have been when Hezekiah began to reign. Perhaps the latter is the more probable, as Ahaz might not have tolerated anything that would have looked like a reflection on his own reign; nor, perhaps, while he was on the throne would Isaiah have given a description that would have been a contrast between his reign and that of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold - This seems to be a distinct prophecy from the former, and delivered before that which is related in the former chapters. The prophecies are not always set down in that order, in which the prophets delivered them. The foregoing prophecy was delivered, not in the time of Ahaz for he sent to the Assyrian, not the Egyptian, for help; it was Hezekiah, who rebelled against the king of Assyria, and was too prone to trust upon the staff of Egypt. But this seems to have been delivered in the time of Ahaz. A king - Hezekiah, a type of Christ, and Christ typified by him. Isaiah 32:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“32:1 a righteous king: The Messiah (11:1); the emphasis now is on righteous and wise leadership (Prov 8:20). • In Isaiah’s day, honest princes were few and far between (see Isa 3:1-6; 28:7-19).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“king: Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7, Isa 40:1-5; Sa2 23:3; Ch2 31:20, Ch2 31:21; Psa 45:1, Psa 45:6, Psa 45:7, Psa 72:1, Psa 72:2, Psa 99:4; Jer 23:5, Jer 23:6, Jer 33:15; Hos 3:5; Zac 9:9; Rom 5:21; Heb 1:8, Heb 1:9; Rev 19:11 princes: Isa 28:6; Rev 17:14 Isaiah 32:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“For Judah, sifted, delivered, and purified, there now begins a new ear. Righteous government, as a blessing for the people, is the first beneficent fruit. "Behold, the king will reign according to righteousness; and the princes, according to right will they command. And every one will be like a shelter from the wind, and a covert from the storm; like water-brooks in a dry place, like the shadow of a gigantic rock in a languishing land." The kingdom of Asshur is for ever destroyed; but the kingdom of Judah rises out of the state of confusion into which it has fallen through its God - forgetting policy and disregard of justice. King and princes now rule according to the standards that have…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification