Isaiah 11:2

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

And the spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} shall rest {H5117} upon him, the spirit {H7307} of wisdom {H2451} and understanding {H998}, the spirit {H7307} of counsel {H6098} and might {H1369}, the spirit {H7307} of knowledge {H1847} and of the fear {H3374} of the LORD {H3068};

The Spirit of ADONAI will rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and fearing ADONAI

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.

Commentary

Context

Isaiah 11:2 is a pivotal verse within a profound messianic prophecy, immediately following Isaiah 11:1, which speaks of a "rod out of the stem of Jesse" – a clear reference to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would descend from the lineage of King David's father. This prophecy offers a beacon of hope for Israel, promising a righteous king who would rule with divine authority and perfect judgment, contrasting with the flawed human leadership of the time. This verse specifically details the divine empowerment and character of this future leader.

Key Themes

This verse highlights the comprehensive nature of the Messiah's divine anointing by the Holy Spirit. It describes six distinct yet interconnected attributes that would empower Him for His redemptive mission and perfect reign:

  • Divine Empowerment: The phrase "the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him" signifies an abiding, complete indwelling and empowerment by God's Spirit, setting the Messiah apart as uniquely qualified for His role.
  • Perfect Wisdom and Understanding: The Messiah would possess ultimate insight and discernment, enabling Him to judge righteously and govern justly. This includes both practical skill (wisdom) and deep comprehension (understanding).
  • Counsel and Might: He would offer flawless guidance and strategic advice (counsel) and possess the inherent strength and power (might) to execute God's will effectively and overcome all opposition.
  • Knowledge and Fear of the LORD: His knowledge would be perfect, rooted in an intimate, experiential knowing of God. This "fear of the LORD" is not terror, but profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God's authority, which is the foundation of true wisdom (as Proverbs 9:10 states).

These attributes collectively portray the Messiah as the ideal, divinely qualified ruler and savior, possessing all the necessary spiritual and moral qualities for perfect leadership.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew text beautifully layers these six qualities, often referred to as the "sevenfold Spirit" when counting the "Spirit of the LORD" as the first. The term for "wisdom" (chokhmah) implies practical skill and discernment, while "understanding" (binah) refers to keen insight and comprehension. "Counsel" (etzah) speaks to strategic planning and guidance, and "might" (gevurah) denotes strength, valor, and the ability to act decisively. "Knowledge" (da'at) signifies deep, experiential knowing. Finally, "the fear of the LORD" (yirat Yahweh) is a recurring biblical theme, representing the ultimate spiritual orientation – a humble, reverent submission to God's authority and will, which underpins all other virtues and is indispensable for true spiritual life.

Related Scriptures

This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who was uniquely endowed with the Holy Spirit. His public ministry began with the Spirit descending upon Him at His baptism (Matthew 3:16), and He Himself declared His anointing by quoting Isaiah 61:1 in Luke 4:18-19. The qualities described here are perfectly exemplified in Christ's life and ministry, demonstrating His divine authority and perfect leadership as the promised Messiah.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 11:2 offers profound comfort and hope in the perfect character and reign of Jesus Christ. It assures us that our Savior rules with absolute wisdom, understanding, and power, and that His judgment is always righteous. While we do not possess the Spirit in the same measure as Christ, we are also called to walk in the Spirit and seek His guidance. This verse encourages us to cultivate the "fear of the LORD" as the beginning of true knowledge and to pray for wisdom, understanding, and spiritual strength in our own lives, reflecting the character of our Messiah and relying on His perfect reign.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 61:1 (45 votes)

    ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

  • John 16:13 (34 votes)

    Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

  • Ephesians 1:17 (31 votes)

    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

  • Ephesians 1:18 (31 votes)

    The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

  • 2 Timothy 1:7 (28 votes)

    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

  • Isaiah 42:1 (26 votes)

    ¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

  • Matthew 3:16 (24 votes)

    And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: