Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁפַ֤ט
shall he judge
H8199
וְשָׁפַ֤ט
shall he judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
1 of 15
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
בְּצֶ֙דֶק֙
But with righteousness
H6664
בְּצֶ֙דֶק֙
But with righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
2 of 15
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
דַּלִּ֔ים
the poor
H1800
דַּלִּ֔ים
the poor
Strong's:
H1800
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin
וְהוֹכִ֥יחַ
and reprove
H3198
וְהוֹכִ֥יחַ
and reprove
Strong's:
H3198
Word #:
4 of 15
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
בְּמִישׁ֖וֹר
with equity
H4334
בְּמִישׁ֖וֹר
with equity
Strong's:
H4334
Word #:
5 of 15
a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (
לְעַנְוֵי
for the meek
H6035
לְעַנְוֵי
for the meek
Strong's:
H6035
Word #:
6 of 15
depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly)
וְהִֽכָּה
and he shall smite
H5221
וְהִֽכָּה
and he shall smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
8 of 15
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט
with the rod
H7626
בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט
with the rod
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
10 of 15
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
פִּ֔יו
of his mouth
H6310
פִּ֔יו
of his mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
11 of 15
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וּבְר֥וּחַ
and with the breath
H7307
וּבְר֥וּחַ
and with the breath
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
12 of 15
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
שְׂפָתָ֖יו
of his lips
H8193
שְׂפָתָ֖יו
of his lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
13 of 15
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
Cross References
Revelation 19:15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.2 Thessalonians 2:8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:Job 4:9By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.Malachi 4:6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.James 3:13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.Galatians 5:23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.Isaiah 30:33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Historical Context
Jesus's ministry prioritized the poor and meek (Matthew 5:3-5; Luke 4:18). His teaching judged religious hypocrites (Matthew 23). At second coming, His word alone will defeat enemies (Revelation 19:15, 21). Paul quotes this verse regarding Christ destroying the Antichrist 'with the breath of his mouth' (2 Thessalonians 2:8). The pattern is consistent: Christ's word saves the humble and judges the proud.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's special concern for the poor and meek reflect God's heart?
- What does it mean that Christ's word alone is powerful enough to execute judgment?
- How should we as Christians reflect this same priority for justice toward the vulnerable?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Messiah's righteous judgment favors the poor and meek while striking the wicked. 'Judge the poor...with righteousness' and 'reprove with equity for the meek' show His advocacy for the vulnerable. 'He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth' indicates powerful verbal judgment. 'With the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked' shows that His word alone executes judgment—no physical weapon needed. This describes Christ's two advents: first coming brought righteousness for the poor in spirit; second coming brings judgment on the wicked.