but with righteousness He will judge the poorThis phrase emphasizes the just and fair nature of the Messiah's rule. In biblical context, righteousness is a key attribute of God's character, often associated with justice and moral integrity. The poor, often marginalized and oppressed in ancient societies, are highlighted here to show that the Messiah will bring justice to those who are typically overlooked. This reflects the biblical theme of God's concern for the downtrodden, as seen in passages like
Psalm 72:4, which speaks of defending the afflicted among the people and saving the children of the needy.
and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth
Equity here refers to fairness and impartiality. The lowly, similar to the poor, are those who lack power and influence. The Messiah's judgment will be characterized by fairness, contrasting with the often corrupt and biased judgments of human rulers. This aligns with the biblical principle found inDeuteronomy 10:18, where God is described as executing justice for the fatherless and the widow. The Messiah's reign will correct injustices and bring about a new order where all are treated with fairness.
He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth
The "rod of His mouth" symbolizes the power and authority of the Messiah's word. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a rod was a symbol of authority and discipline. This imagery suggests that the Messiah's words alone will have the power to enact judgment and bring about change. This is echoed inRevelation 19:15, where the returning Christ is described as striking down the nations with a sharp sword from His mouth, indicating the power of His spoken word.
and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips
The breath of His lips signifies the life-giving and life-taking power of the Messiah's word. In the biblical narrative, God's breath is associated with creation and life (Genesis 2:7), but here it is also associated with judgment and destruction of the wicked. This duality highlights the comprehensive authority of the Messiah. The concept of divine judgment through spoken word is also seen in2 Thessalonians 2:8, where the Lord Jesus will overthrow the lawless one with the breath of His mouth, underscoring the ultimate triumph of righteousness over evil.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Messiah (Jesus Christ)The central figure in this prophecy, who will judge with righteousness and equity. This passage is often interpreted as a Messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ.
2.
The Poor and LowlyRepresents those who are marginalized and oppressed in society. The Messiah's judgment will be in their favor, highlighting His concern for justice and equity.
3.
The WickedThose who oppose God's righteousness and justice. The Messiah will ultimately defeat them with His word and authority.
4.
The EarthThe realm over which the Messiah will exercise His righteous judgment, indicating a global scope of His reign.
5.
The Rod of His Mouth / Breath of His LipsSymbolic of the power and authority of the Messiah's word, which will bring about justice and judgment.
Teaching Points
Righteous JudgmentThe Messiah judges with perfect righteousness, unlike human judges who can be biased or corrupt. Believers are called to trust in His ultimate justice.
Advocate for the OppressedJesus' concern for the poor and lowly challenges Christians to advocate for justice and equity in their communities.
Power of the WordThe authority of Christ's word is powerful and transformative. Believers should rely on Scripture for guidance and correction.
Hope for the FutureThe prophecy assures us of a future where justice prevails. This hope should encourage believers to persevere in faith and righteousness.
Call to Righteous LivingAs followers of Christ, we are called to live righteously and reflect His character in our interactions with others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 11:4?
2.How does Isaiah 11:4 reveal Christ's role in justice and righteousness?
3.What does "strike the earth with the rod of His mouth" signify?
4.How can we apply the principles of justice from Isaiah 11:4 today?
5.Connect Isaiah 11:4 with Revelation 19:15 regarding Christ's authority and power.
6.How should believers respond to the promise of divine justice in Isaiah 11:4?
7.How does Isaiah 11:4 reflect God's justice and righteousness in the world today?
8.What historical context influenced the prophecy in Isaiah 11:4?
9.How does Isaiah 11:4 align with the concept of a messianic kingdom?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 11?
11.What defines true righteousness according to the Bible?
12.Is God excessively self-centered?
13.Revelation 1:16 – How should one interpret the sword coming out of Jesus’ mouth, and does this literal image raise questions about the text’s credibility?
14.What is the Millennial Kingdom dispensation?What Does Isaiah 11:4 Mean
but with righteousness He will judge the poor“but with righteousness He will judge the poor” (Isaiah 11:4a)
• Righteousness is more than fairness; it is God’s own moral perfection expressed in action. When Messiah comes, His judgments perfectly mirror God’s character (Psalm 98:9;John 5:30).
• “The poor” are often overlooked by earthly courts, but the King in view here ensures they receive full justice (Psalm 72:2–4;Isaiah 25:4).
• This verse anticipates the Millennial reign of Christ, when every decision flows from His flawless insight (Revelation 20:4). Until then, believers are called to reflect His heart for the marginalized (James 2:1–5).
and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth“and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth” (Isaiah 11:4b)
• Equity stresses even-handed application of righteous standards. No favoritism, no bribes—only truth (Leviticus 19:15;Proverbs 17:15).
• “Lowly” speaks to those without power or influence. The coming King takes up their cause personally (Isaiah 42:1–4;Luke 4:18–19).
• His decisions will right systemic wrongs that humanity could never fully fix (Micah 4:3–4). This gives believers hope for ultimate restoration while motivating present compassion (1 John 3:17–18).
He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth“He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth” (Isaiah 11:4c)
• The “rod” is His spoken word—effective, authoritative, unstoppable (Psalm 2:9;Hebrews 4:12).
• InRevelation 19:15, Christ wields “a sharp sword” from His mouth to subdue rebellious nations. The same voice that calmed storms will confront global evil.
• This shows judgment is not arbitrary force; it is the articulate, measured expression of divine truth.
and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips“and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips” (Isaiah 11:4d)
• A single exhalation is enough to end all opposition (2 Thessalonians 2:8). His enemies fall not by human warfare but by the sheer power of His presence (Psalm 33:6–9).
• “The wicked” are those who persistently reject God’s rule. Their overthrow secures lasting peace for the redeemed (Malachi 4:1–3).
• This underscores both the certainty of final judgment and the urgency of repentance today (Acts 17:30–31).
summaryIsaiah 11:4 paints a vivid portrait of Messiah’s reign: absolute righteousness for the vulnerable, perfect equity for the powerless, irresistible authority against rebellion, and decisive judgment on the wicked. These promises anchor our hope, compel our justice, and magnify the glory of the coming King whose very word brings salvation and sets the world right.
(4)
With righteousness shall he judge the poor . . .--The picture which Isaiah had drawn of the corrupt judges of his time gives point to the contrast (
Isaiah 1:23;
Isaiah 2:14-15;
Isaiah 10:1-2). The poor whom they trampled on should be the special objects of the care of the true King (
Matthew 11:5).
He shall smite the earth . . .--The "earth" stands here, if we accept the reading, for the rulers who are for the time supreme in it. A slight alteration of the Hebrew givesshall smite the tyrant,which forms a better parallelism with the "ungodly" of the next clause. The phrase "thesceptreof his mouth" is significant. The word which the Messiah-King speaks shall be as the sceptre which is the symbol of authority. So inRevelation 1:16, "a sharp two-edged sword" comes forth from the mouth of the Christ of St. John's vision. The latter clause, "with the breath of his lips shall he slay. . . ,"has a parallel inHosea 6:5. . . .
Verse 4. -
With righteousness shall he judge the poor (comp.
Isaiah 32:1, "A king shall reign in righteousness"). It would be characteristic of the Messiah's rule that the poor should be eared for, that oppression should cease, and judgment be no more perverted in favor of the rich. There is an intended contrast between the Messiah's rule in this respect, and that of the princes of Judah (
Isaiah 1:23;
Isaiah 3:15;
Isaiah 10:1, 2). Christian countries still, for the most part, follow their Lord's example in this particular, if in no other, having judges that are incorruptible, and tribunals that are free from any leaning against the poor.
Reprove; or,
plead (as in
Job 16:21).
The meek of the earth; rather,
the humble, or
afflicted. Low condition, not meekness of spirit, is what the word used expresses.
He shall smite the earth. A slight alteration of the text produces the meaning,
be shall smite the terrible one (comp.
Isaiah 29:20), which improves the parallelism of the clauses. But there is no need of any alteration, parallelism in Isaiah being often incomplete. The Messiah at his coming will "smite
the earth" generally (see
Malachi 4:6, and comp.
Matthew 10:34, "I came not to send peace on the earth, but a sword"), and will also especially chastise "the wicked."
The rod of his mouth... the breath of his lips. "The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (
Hebrews 4:12). The sayings of Christ pierce the conscience and penetrate the soul as no other words that ever came from a human mouth. In the last day words from his mouth will consign to everlasting life or to everlasting destruction.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
but with righteousnessבְּצֶ֙דֶק֙(bə·ṣe·ḏeq)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664:The right, equity, prosperityHe will judgeוְשָׁפַ֤ט(wə·šā·p̄aṭ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8199:To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigatethe poor,דַּלִּ֔ים(dal·lîm)Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1800:Dangling, weak, thinand with equityבְּמִישׁ֖וֹר(bə·mî·šō·wr)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4334:A level, a plain, as a, straightness, justiceHe will decide in favorוְהוֹכִ֥יחַ(wə·hō·w·ḵî·aḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3198:To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convictof the earth’sאָ֑רֶץ(’ā·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landoppressed.לְעַנְוֵי־(lə·‘an·wê-)Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6035:Poor, afflicted, humble, meekHe will strikeוְהִֽכָּה־(wə·hik·kāh-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221:To strikethe earthאֶ֙רֶץ֙(’e·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landwith the rodבְּשֵׁ֣בֶט(bə·šê·ḇeṭ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7626:Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribeof His mouthפִּ֔יו(pîw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according toand slayיָמִ֥ית(yā·mîṯ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191:To die, to killthe wickedרָשָֽׁע׃(rā·šā‘)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563:Wrong, an, bad personwith the breathוּבְר֥וּחַ(ū·ḇə·rū·aḥ)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritof His lips.שְׂפָתָ֖יו(śə·p̄ā·ṯāw)Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193:The lip, language, a margin
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness he will judge (Isa Isi Is) 
