Isaiah 1:26
And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
Original Language Analysis
וְאָשִׁ֤יבָה
And I will restore
H7725
וְאָשִׁ֤יבָה
And I will restore
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 13
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
שֹׁפְטַ֙יִךְ֙
thy judges
H8199
שֹׁפְטַ֙יִךְ֙
thy judges
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
2 of 13
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
כְּבָרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה
as at the first
H7223
כְּבָרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה
as at the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
3 of 13
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
וְיֹעֲצַ֖יִךְ
and thy counsellors
H3289
וְיֹעֲצַ֖יִךְ
and thy counsellors
Strong's:
H3289
Word #:
4 of 13
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
כְּבַתְּחִלָּ֑ה
as at the beginning
H8462
כְּבַתְּחִלָּ֑ה
as at the beginning
Strong's:
H8462
Word #:
5 of 13
a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)
אַחֲרֵי
afterward
H310
אַחֲרֵי
afterward
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֵ֗ן
H3651
כֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יִקָּ֤רֵא
thou shalt be called
H7121
יִקָּ֤רֵא
thou shalt be called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 13
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עִ֣יר
The city
H5892
עִ֣יר
The city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
10 of 13
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
Jeremiah 33:7And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.Zechariah 8:3Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
Historical Context
Israel's early period featured judges raised up by God (Judges 2:16) and David's righteous reign. Isaiah envisions a return to such godly leadership, fulfilled in Christ and His kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does longing for the 'city of righteousness' shape our political engagement and social ethics?
- In what ways does Christ's present reign inaugurate this promised restoration, even as we await its consummation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The promise to restore judges and counselors 'as at the first' looks back to the golden age of righteous leadership under figures like Moses, Joshua, and David, while ultimately pointing forward to Messiah's kingdom where perfect justice reigns (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-5). The resulting title 'the city of righteousness, the faithful city' reverses verse 21's lament, demonstrating God's redemptive purpose. This eschatological restoration finds ultimate fulfillment in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2), where God dwells with His purified people.