Isaiah 32:16
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁכַ֥ן
shall dwell
H7931
וְשָׁכַ֥ן
shall dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
1 of 6
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
2 of 6
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
Then judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
Then judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וּצְדָקָ֖ה
and righteousness
H6666
וּצְדָקָ֖ה
and righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
4 of 6
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
Historical Context
Old covenant Israel struggled with justice and righteousness—prophets constantly condemned corruption (Isaiah 1:21-23, Amos 5:7-12, Micah 6:8). Law commanded righteousness but couldn't produce it in hearts. New covenant promise: 'I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts' (Jeremiah 31:33). Early church demonstrated this transformation—sharing possessions, caring for widows, transcending ethnic barriers (Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35, Galatians 3:28).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Spirit-indwelling produce justice and righteousness from the inside out rather than external rule-keeping?
- What 'wilderness' areas (difficult circumstances, challenging relationships) need God's mishpat (justice) to dwell there?
- How can you cultivate Spirit-produced righteousness rather than self-manufactured moralism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness (וְשָׁכַן בַּמִּדְבָּר מִשְׁפָּט, veshakhan bamidbar mishpat)—מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, judgment, justice) will שָׁכַן (shakhan, dwell, abide) even in מִדְבָּר (midbar, wilderness). And righteousness remain in the fruitful field (וּצְדָקָה בַּכַּרְמֶל תֵּשֵׁב, utsedaqah bakkarmel teshev)—צְדָקָה (tsedaqah, righteousness) will יָשַׁב (yashav, settle, remain) in the כַּרְמֶל (karmel, fruitful field).
Spirit-transformation produces justice and righteousness—not as forced external compliance but as internal character. The verbs שָׁכַן (shakhan, dwell) and יָשַׁב (yashav, settle) indicate permanence, not fleeting visitation. Justice dwells even in wilderness (marginal spaces); righteousness settles in fruitful fields (productive spaces). The Kingdom brings moral transformation to every sphere. Romans 14:17 defines Kingdom: 'righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.' Galatians 5:22-23 lists Spirit-fruit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering—ethical transformation flowing from Spirit-presence.