Isaiah 11:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

NIV: Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

NASB: Also righteousness will be the belt around His hips, And faithfulness the belt around His waist.

CSB: Righteousness will be a belt around his hips; faithfulness will be a belt around his waist.

NLT: He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

KJV: And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

NKJV: Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

Isaiah is describing a mysterious figure who will arise from the line of David in what was then Israel's history (Isaiah 11:1). The leader he has described will supernaturally possess the very character qualities of God. He will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and He will both provide fairness and justice for the poor and powerless. He will also bring death to the wicked who defy the righteousness of God (Isaiah 11:2–4).

Now the prophet sums up this Promised Messiah with words reserved for the Lord Himself. He says how "righteousness will be His belt." He also states how faithfulness will be His "waistcloth" or the "belt of His loins." This word could be describing an "under belt" used for tucking in a robe to be ready for strenuous activity. Or it could be referring to the underwear-like garment worn underneath the rest of one's clothing. In either case, the meaning is the same: these are inherent, given aspects of this King's very nature. Everything this leader says and does will be characterized by righteousness and faithfulness.

This future King will be known as the Messiah: Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; 26:63–64). He will return at the perfect time to establish His kingdom over all the earth (Revelation 19:11–15). The following verses describe the startling, perfect nature of that kingdom (Isaiah 11:6–10).

Isaiah 11:1–16 once more returns to a description of a glorious kingdom to come. This passage was written when Israel's earthly kingdom hung by a thread. That future kingdom will be lead by a descendant of Jesse, David's father. He will rule the earth in the Spirit of the Lord, and restore righteousness, justice, and peace to the earth. All will live in harmony. All the non-Jewish nations will gather under the banner of the Messiah. The Lord will reassemble His Israelite people to their land from the four corners of the earth.

Isaiah describes a future leader who will be raised up from line of Jesse and King David. The leader will be a man and yet more than just a man. He will be powered by the Spirit of the Lord to lead with wisdom, might, and knowledge. He will restore justice and bring peace to the world, ending all conflict. The non-Jewish nations of the earth will come to Him. He will reassemble the scattered Israelites. The reunited nation will have final victory over their enemies under His rule.

Isaiah 11 follows the previous chapter's promise of the Lord's defeat of the Assyrian Empire. Along with the promise that a descendant of King David will one day rule Israel and the world. He will rule in the power of the Spirit of the Lord with wisdom, justice, and righteousness. Conflict will cease, even among the animals. All the non-Jewish nations will gather to the Messiah. The Lord will reassemble His Israelite people to the land from the four corners of the world. Reunited as one nation, they will defeat their enemies and live under the rule of the Lord. Chapter 12 continues this description.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).