Isaiah 32:4
The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
Original Language Analysis
תְּמַהֵ֖ר
also of the rash
H4116
תְּמַהֵ֖ר
also of the rash
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
יָבִ֣ין
shall understand
H995
יָבִ֣ין
shall understand
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
3 of 9
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
לָדָ֑עַת
H3045
לָדָ֑עַת
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 9
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וּלְשׁ֣וֹן
and the tongue
H3956
וּלְשׁ֣וֹן
and the tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
5 of 9
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
תְּמַהֵ֖ר
also of the rash
H4116
תְּמַהֵ֖ר
also of the rash
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
Historical Context
Ancient cultures highly valued eloquence and wisdom. Kings employed wise counselors; prophets needed clear speech. Yet Israel's history showed the rash making foolish decisions (Rehoboam, 1 Kings 12) and the wise being silenced. Messianic age inverts this: former fools gain wisdom, former stammerers speak clearly. This describes conversion—the foolish things of the world becoming wise (1 Corinthians 1:27), fishermen becoming articulate apostles.
Questions for Reflection
- How has Christ transformed your 'rash heart' to understand spiritual knowledge you couldn't grasp before?
- When has God enabled you to speak clearly about Him despite feeling like a 'stammerer'?
- What area of spiritual understanding remains 'rash' (hasty, shallow) and needs deeper transformation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge (וּלְבַב נִמְהָרִים יָבִין לָדַעַת, ulevav nimharim yavin lada'at)—the לֵב (lev, heart) of the נִמְהָרִים (nimharim, rash, hasty) will בִּין (bin, understand, discern) דַּעַת (da'at, knowledge). And the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly (וּלְשׁוֹן עִלְּגִים תְּמַהֵר לְדַבֵּר צָחוֹת, uleshon illegim temaher ledabber tsachot)—the לָשׁוֹן (lashon, tongue) of עִלְּגִים (illegim, stammerers) will be quick (מָהַר, mahar) to speak צָחוֹת (tsachot, plainly, clearly, distinctly).
Transformation affects both reception (heart understanding) and expression (tongue speaking). The 'rash' (נִמְהָרִים, nimharim)—those hasty in judgment, impulsive—gain contemplative wisdom. Stammerers gain fluency. This recalls Moses's objection: 'I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue' (Exodus 4:10), to which God responded by enabling him. At Pentecost, the Spirit gave utterance (Acts 2:4)—stammering Galileans spoke eloquently in multiple languages. The gospel transforms both comprehension and communication.