4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Reference
Greek: εἰ μή (ei mḗ)
if not
Hebrew: ʼăbâl
nay, i.e. truly or yet
Greek: δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosýnē)
equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification
Hebrew: tsidqâh
beneficence
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: κριτής (kritḗs)
a judge (genitive case or specially)
Hebrew: ʼădargâzêr
a chief diviner, or astrologer
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: πένης (pénēs)
starving, i.e. indigent
Hebrew: chêlᵉkâʼ
a wretch, i.e. unfortunate
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Hebrew: yôsher
the right
Greek: ἀντί (antí)
opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
Hebrew: bᵉmôw
in, with, by, etc.
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: πρᾷος (prâios)
gentle, i.e. humble
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: οἰκουμένη (oikouménē)
land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire
Hebrew: ʼăraʻ
the earth; by implication (figuratively) low
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: πλήσσω (plḗssō)
to pound, i.e. (figuratively) to inflict with (calamity)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: οἰκουμένη (oikouménē)
land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire
Hebrew: ʼăraʻ
the earth; by implication (figuratively) low
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ῥάβδος (rhábdos)
a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or a baton of royalty)
Hebrew: chôṭêr
a twig
Greek: τοῦ (toû)
sometimes used for G5127 (τούτου); of this person
Hebrew: pum
the mouth (literally or figuratively)
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: πνοή (pnoḗ)
respiration, a breeze
Hebrew: nishmâʼ
vital breath
Greek: τοῦ (toû)
sometimes used for G5127 (τούτου); of this person
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: κατασφάττω (kataspháttō)
to kill down, i.e. slaughter
Hebrew: qᵉṭal
to kill
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἄθεσμος (áthesmos)
lawless, i.e. (by implication) criminal
Evil
2 Thessalonians 2:8
Judgment
Revelation 19:15
Parallel theme
Job 4:9
Malachi 4:6
Isaiah 61:1
Matthew 5:5
James 3:13
Galatians 5:23
Isaiah 30:33
Righteousness
Isaiah 9:7
Verse Explanation
The coming ruler will judge the poor with righteousness and make fair decisions for people who are often overlooked by powerful society. He will not allow wealth or social position to determine justice. At the same time, he will confront wickedness with decisive authority. Isaiah uses powerful imagery of striking the earth with the rod of his mouth and destroying wickedness with the breath of his lips. The message is that this ruler's words will carry real authority. He will not merely speak about justice; his judgment will actually establish it and defeat those who deliberately practice evil.
History
8th century BC: Isaiah repeatedly confronted social injustice in Judah, particularly the mistreatment of the poor and vulnerable. Justice for the disadvantaged was a major concern of prophetic preaching.