Isaiah 32:5
The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִקָּרֵ֥א
shall be no more called
H7121
יִקָּרֵ֥א
shall be no more called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
2 of 9
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
ע֛וֹד
H5750
ע֛וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
נָדִ֑יב
liberal
H5081
נָדִ֑יב
liberal
Strong's:
H5081
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
Historical Context
Throughout history, propagandists have weaponized language to disguise evil. Slave traders called themselves 'merchants.' Nazis used euphemisms for genocide. Modern culture calls abortion 'choice,' pornography 'entertainment,' greed 'ambition.' The Messianic kingdom will strip away euphemisms, calling things by their true names. Revelation 21:8 and 22:15 exclude specific categories from New Jerusalem—no linguistic camouflage can disguise wickedness before the Judge.
Questions for Reflection
- What vices does contemporary culture disguise with pleasant-sounding labels?
- How does the church sometimes adopt worldly euphemisms rather than biblical truth-telling?
- What would it look like for you to speak with Kingdom clarity, calling things what they truly are?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The vile person shall be no more called liberal (לֹא־יִקָּרֵא עוֹד לְנָבָל נָדִיב, lo-yiqare od lenaval nadiv)—the נָבָל (naval, fool, vile person, scoundrel) won't be called נָדִיב (nadiv, noble, generous, liberal). Nor the churl said to be bountiful (וּלְכִילַי לֹא יֵאָמֵר שׁוֹעַ, ulekhilay lo ye'amer shoa)—the כִּילַי (kilay, miser, churl) won't be termed שׁוֹעַ (shoa, rich, bountiful).
Messianic kingdom brings moral clarity—evil won't be called good, misers won't be praised as generous. The נָבָל (naval) is morally corrupt (like Nabal in 1 Samuel 25), not merely foolish. Current age permits moral inversion: calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). Politicians reframe greed as 'success,' sexual immorality as 'freedom,' oppression as 'progress.' Christ's reign will expose truth, ending the linguistic sleight-of-hand that disguises vice as virtue. Romans 1:32 describes those who 'knowing the judgment of God... not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them'—celebrating what should be condemned.