What does Isaiah 32:16 mean?
ESV: Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
NIV: The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field.
NASB: Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness will remain in the fertile field.
CSB: Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the orchard.
NLT: Justice will rule in the wilderness and righteousness in the fertile field.
KJV: Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
NKJV: Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Isaiah 32:9–20 is addressed to the wealthy, complacent women of Judah. Isaiah warns them that in a little over a year they will be trembling and shuddering. The harvests will be lost, along with the parties to celebrate them. The women should begin to mourn now for the lost fields and vines, for the empty palace and abandoned city. Eventually, though, the Lord's Spirit will be poured out on Israel. Abundant crops and righteousness will return to the land, bringing peace, security, and trust in the Lord. Judgment will come, but so will restoration.
Chapter Summary:
Isaiah describes a future with a better king and kingdom for Israel. That king will rule with righteousness and justice. He and his princes will be protective and helpful to the people. The people will be more attentive to the Lord's will. The foolish and evil will no longer be celebrated. Isaiah tells the wealthy, complacent women of Judah that in about a year they will be shuddering and trembling. The harvests will be lost. They should mourn now for the ruined fields. The palace and city will be abandoned, but eventually the Lord's Spirit will be poured over Israel, returning abundance to the land.
Chapter Context:
Isaiah 30 and 31 declared "woe" on Judah for relying on Egypt for protection. Chapter 32 describes a future king and kingdom for Israel in which righteousness and justice will be normal. Isaiah tells the complacent women of Judah to begin to mourn for what will be lost in just over a year: no crops, no parties, the palace empty, and the city abandoned. Eventually, though, abundance, peace, and security will return to the land. The next chapter warns Judah's deceivers and reassures the faithful.
Book Summary:
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).
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