Isaiah 16:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness."

NIV: In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

NASB: A throne will be established in faithfulness, And a judge will sit on it in trustworthiness in the tent of David; Moreover, he will seek justice, And be prompt in righteousness.

CSB: a throne will be established in love, and one will sit on it faithfully in the tent of David, judging and pursuing what is right, quick to execute justice.

NLT: then God will establish one of David’s descendants as king. He will rule with mercy and truth. He will always do what is just and be eager to do what is right.

KJV: And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

NKJV: In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.”

Most commentators hold Isaiah to be a genuine prophet and that his oracles are from the Lord. As such, they understand this verse to be a reference to the promised future king of Israel, the Messiah. The surprising thing is that it appears to be spoken by a leader of Moab. The Moabite people mostly worshiped a false god, Chemosh (1 Kings 11:33), and not the Lord of the Israelites.

This reference to the future king and glory of Israel comes at the end of an official request. Moab is begging Judah that they be allowed to settle refugees in Judah's territory (Isaiah 16:3–4). This plea for sanctuary is requested until the oppressor who has destroyed their land is finally defeated. When this defeat happens, this Moabite leader continues, the throne in Israel will be "established in steadfast love."

The prophetic message fits perfectly with Isaiah's prophecies in chapter 9 and chapter 11. In fact, Isaiah has written in chapter 2 that the Gentile nations of the world will come willingly to Jerusalem to learn the ways of the Messiah (Isaiah 2:1–4). This text from Moab shows that they are ready for that moment. The contrast between that future king of Israel, the Messiah, and the current superpower, the Assyrians, could not be more stark. The Assyrians are the oppressor which destroys and tramples all underfoot. The Messiah will bring justice, do what is right by all people, and sit on a throne established in love. It is not surprising that would sound good to the leader of a group of Moabite refugees.

Isaiah 16:1–14 begins with an official request to settle in Judah, spoken by Moabite refugees. This request is followed by a declaration that a descendant of David will establish the throne of Israel with love and righteousness when the oppressor is no more. Isaiah points to the arrogance of Moab regarding their abundance. This pride will be shown to be empty talk since it can be taken away in a night. Isaiah calls everyone to wail for Moab's losses and weep for the end of the grape harvest and its products. He reveals the judgment will fall in three years.

The refugees of Moab send a tribute to Jerusalem and make an official request to shelter in Judah due to the oppression of the enemy in their own land. After the oppressor is no more, the throne of the Messiah will be established in Israel. Moab's pride and arrogance about their abundance are revealed to be empty talk since it can all be taken away in a night. Isaiah calls everyone to wail and mourn for the suffering of Moab. He weeps for the loss of the grape harvest. The prophet announces this judgement will happen in three years.

Prior chapters included predictions about Assyria, Babylon, and Philistia. Chapter 15 introduces a prophecy about an enemy invading Moab. Chapter 16 finds the Moabite refugees in Sela. They ask Judah for shelter. Isaiah points to the pride and arrogance of Moab about their wealth that can be taken away in a single night. He calls everyone to mourn with him for the loss of the grape harvest and its products in Moab. The Moabites' prayers to their god will not prevent judgment from falling on them in three years. The next prophecy, in chapter 17, deals with Damascus.

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).