Isaiah 32:16
Isaiah 32:16 in Multiple Translations
Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the fertile field.
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Then justice shall dwell in the wilderness; and righteousness shall abide in the fruitful field.
Then in the waste land there will be an upright rule, and righteousness will have its place in the fertile field.
Then people living in the desert will practice justice, and those living among the fields will do what is right.
And iudgement shall dwel in the desert, and iustice shall remaine in the fruitfull fielde.
And dwelt in the wilderness hath judgment, And righteousness in the fruitful field remaineth.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness; and righteousness will remain in the fruitful field.
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
And judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and justice shall sit in charmel.
People [PRS] will act/rule justly/fairly in those desert areas, and people will act/rule righteously in those fertile fields.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 32:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 32:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/שָׁכַ֥ן
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֖ר
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
וּ/צְדָקָ֖ה
בַּ/כַּרְמֶ֥ל
תֵּשֵֽׁב
וְ/שָׁכַ֥ן
shâkan
H7931
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֖ר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
N-ms
וּ/צְדָקָ֖ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
righteousness
Conj | N-fs
בַּ/כַּרְמֶ֥ל
karmel
H3759
plantation
Prep | N-ms
תֵּשֵֽׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 32:16
וְ/שָׁכַ֥ן
shâkan
H7931
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to live or stay in a place, like when God dwells among his people. It appears in books like Exodus and Psalms, describing God's presence. It's about making a home or resting place.
Definition: 1) to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to settle down to abide 1a2) to abide, dwell, reside 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make settle down, establish 1b2) to make or cause to dwell 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to lay, place, set, establish, settle, fix 1c2) to cause to dwell or abide Aramaic equivalent: she.khan (שְׁכֵן "to dwell" H7932)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up). See also: Genesis 3:24; Psalms 55:7; Psalms 7:6.
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֖ר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
וּ/צְדָקָ֖ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
"righteousness"
Conj | N-fs
Encompasses the idea of righteousness, including justice, virtue, and morality, often describing God's attribute or the standard for human behavior. It is used to describe the ideal for personal conduct and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.
Definition: 1) justice, righteousness 1a) righteousness (in government) 1a1) of judge, ruler, king 1a2) of law 1a3) of Davidic king Messiah 1b) righteousness (of God's attribute) 1c) righteousness (in a case or cause) 1d) righteousness, truthfulness 1e) righteousness (as ethically right) 1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation 1f1) of God 1f2) prosperity (of people) 1g) righteous acts Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)
Usage: Occurs in 150 OT verses. KJV: justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness). See also: Genesis 15:6; Proverbs 16:31; Psalms 5:9.
בַּ/כַּרְמֶ֥ל
karmel
H3759
"plantation"
Prep | N-ms
A plantation or garden-land, like the Garden of Eden, was a fertile and productive area, often with fruit trees and orchards. The Bible describes Carmel as a lush and fruitful region in Israel.
Definition: 1) plantation, garden-land, orchard, fruit orchard 2) fruit, garden-growth (meton)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: full (green) ears (of corn), fruitful field (place), plentiful (field). See also: Leviticus 2:14; Isaiah 29:17; Isaiah 10:18.
תֵּשֵֽׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
Study Notes — Isaiah 32:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 32:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 32:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 32:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 32:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 32:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 32:16
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 32:16
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 32:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 32:16
- Sermons on Isaiah 32:16
Context — The Women of Jerusalem
14For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever— the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks—
15until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest.
16Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the fertile field.
17The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. 18Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 94:14–15 | For the LORD will not forsake His people; He will never abandon His heritage. Surely judgment will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. |
| 2 | 1 Peter 2:9–12 | But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. |
| 3 | Isaiah 60:21 | Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified. |
| 4 | Titus 2:11–12 | For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, |
| 5 | Isaiah 35:8 | And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it— only those who walk in the Way— and fools will not stray onto it. |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 | Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. |
| 7 | Isaiah 56:6–8 | And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants— all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.” |
| 8 | Hosea 3:5 | Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days. |
| 9 | 1 Peter 4:1–4 | Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you. |
| 10 | Isaiah 42:4 | He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.” |
Isaiah 32:16 Summary
Isaiah 32:16 is saying that one day, God's justice and righteousness will be everywhere, even in the empty and lonely places. This will happen when the Holy Spirit is poured out on us, as mentioned in the previous verse (Isaiah 32:15), and it will bring peace and quiet confidence to those who follow God, as seen in Isaiah 26:3. It's like a garden that's full of life and growth, where God's people can flourish and experience His blessings, as described in Psalm 1:1-3. This is a promise of a better future, where God's ways will be followed and His people will live in harmony with Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for justice to inhabit the wilderness in Isaiah 32:16?
This verse is describing a future time when God's justice and righteousness will be present everywhere, even in desolate and empty places, as promised in Isaiah 11:1-5 and reflected in the peace that comes from following God's commands in Psalm 119:165.
How does righteousness dwell in the fertile field according to this verse?
Righteousness dwelling in the fertile field symbolizes a time of spiritual prosperity and growth, where God's people are living in obedience to Him and experiencing the blessings of their faith, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and Psalm 37:3-6.
Is this verse only talking about the land of Israel or is it broader?
While the context of Isaiah 32 is focused on Israel, the principles of justice and righteousness are universal and apply to all nations, as stated in Isaiah 2:2-4, where all nations will come to learn from God's ways.
How does this verse relate to the work of the Holy Spirit?
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Isaiah 32:15 is what enables justice and righteousness to flourish, as the Spirit works in the hearts of people to bring about spiritual transformation, as described in Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Joel 2:28-29.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'wilderness' areas in my life where I need God's justice and righteousness to inhabit?
- In what ways can I cultivate a 'fertile field' in my heart, where righteousness can take root and grow?
- How can I practically live out the principles of justice and righteousness in my daily life, as described in Micah 6:8?
- What are some ways I can trust God to bring about spiritual prosperity and growth in my life, even in difficult circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 32:16
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness,.... In the desert part of the world, inhabited by Pagans, Papists, and Mahometans; where the Scriptures, the rule of judgment, and where the Gospel,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 32:16
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. Judgment - justice. Shall dwell in the wilderness - then reclaimed.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 32:16
Judgment; just judgment, as the next clause explains it. Justice shall be executed in all the parts of the land, both in the barren and fruitful places, and shall be practised by all my people; which agrees with that promise, , Thy people shall be all righteous, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 32:16
Isaiah 32:16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.Ver. 16. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness.] In this and the next verse, he setteth forth the sweet effects of God’ s Spirit in the saints, in hypocrites also, when once they come to be converted; these are "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." By "righteousness" and "judgment" there is to be understood the righteousness of faith, together with all those good works, the fruits thereof - obedience, I mean, which Luther was wont to call fidem incarnatam Faith incarnate.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 32:16
(16) Then judgment shall dwell . . .—Outward blessings, themselves symbols of something beyond themselves, are followed by spiritual. Over the whole country, from the one extreme of cultivation to the other, the judgment and righteousness which had been so lacking should now find a home, and bring their blessed fruits of peace, and confidence, and calm. The whole picture is that of a smiling land, a God-fearing and contented people, all in striking contrast with the panic and unrest with which the people had been but too familiar.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 32:16
16. “Judgment” and “righteousness,” the foundations of social order (ch. Isaiah 1:21; Isaiah 1:26 f., Isaiah 28:17), shall then be established throughout the land. The “wilderness” (i.e. untilled pasture-land) is not annihilated, only pushed further into the desert proper; even there the reign of right extends.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 32:16
Then judgment shall dwell - Or, justice shall make its appropriate dwelling-place there. In the wilderness - In the place that was a wilderness, but that shall now be turned to a fruitful field.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 32:16
15-17. Until the Spirit be poured upon us — Then shall begin the dispensation of the great moral changes referred to in Isaiah 32:1-8. The captivity will sift the just from the unjust and disobedient. The remnant shall return.
Sermons on Isaiah 32:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Christian on Earth, Still in Heaven by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the spiritual paradise found in the Scriptures, particularly in the book of Psalms, which offers both delight and usefulness to every Christian. He hig |
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Of the Perseverance of the Saints. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, asserting that those who are truly regenerated and called by God will ultimately persevere in grace and be save |
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God's Inheritance by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink expounds on the profound truth that God's inheritance is found in His people, emphasizing that God chose not the world or angels, but humanity as His special treasure. He |
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The Lord Will Not Forsake His People by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes that God's unwavering commitment to His people is rooted in His character and great Name. He argues that God's decision to save us was made with full knowledg |
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Israel in the Last Days by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of aligning with God's purpose for Israel. He urges believers to bless and not curse Israel, as shown in Numbers 23 with the s |
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A Holy Nation by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of separation from the world in the life of Abraham. God called Abraham to leave his country, his family, and his father's hou |
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Evan Roberts Preaching in 1905 by Evan Roberts | Evan Roberts reflects on the glorious deeds of God, emphasizing that no amount of time could fully express His greatness. He challenges the congregation to consider what they offer |