Isaiah 11:3

KJV

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

KJV (with Strong's)

And shall make him of quick understanding {H7306} in the fear {H3374} of the LORD {H3068}: and he shall not judge {H8199} after the sight {H4758} of his eyes {H5869}, neither reprove {H3198} after the hearing {H4926} of his ears {H241}:

Complete Jewish Bible

he will be inspired by fearing ADONAI. He will not judge by what his eyes see or decide by what his ears hear,

Berean Standard Bible

And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear,

American Standard Version

And his delight shall be in the fear of Jehovah; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 11:3, a pivotal verse in the messianic prophecy concerning the "stem of Jesse," unveils the profound nature of the coming King's discernment and judgment. It portrays a ruler whose understanding is not derived from superficial observation or human testimony but is divinely imbued, rooted in a deep reverence for the LORD. This verse emphasizes that the Messiah's judgments will be perfectly righteous, untainted by the biases and limitations inherent in human perception, ensuring a reign of absolute justice and truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 11:3 is an integral part of a larger messianic oracle (Isaiah 11:1-10) that describes the ideal king who will emerge from the lineage of Jesse, King David's father. Verse 1 introduces the "rod out of the stem of Jesse" and a "Branch" from his roots, clearly identifying the Messiah as a Davidic descendant. Verse 2 then details the sevenfold Spirit of the Lord that will rest upon Him, endowing Him with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:3 directly elaborates on *how* this Spirit-empowered wisdom will manifest in His practical rule, specifically in His unparalleled ability to judge and discern with perfect righteousness, setting the stage for the description of His just reign over all creation in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the king was not only a military leader but also the supreme judge, responsible for upholding justice and righteousness within the nation. However, human kings and judges were often fallible, susceptible to bribery, favoritism, or being misled by outward appearances or false testimony. The prophetic tradition, especially in Isaiah, frequently critiques the corruption and injustice prevalent among Israel's leaders (e.g., [Isaiah 1:21-23](/isaiah/1-21 "Isaiah 1:21-23 - Corrupt Jerusalem")). Against this backdrop, the prophecy of a Messiah who judges with perfect integrity and divine insight would have resonated deeply with the longing for true justice. The phrase "fear of the LORD" (Hebrew: _yirʼâh YHWH_) was a foundational concept in Israelite wisdom literature, signifying not terror but profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God, consistently presented as the [beginning of wisdom](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Knowledge") and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Isaiah and broader biblical theology. It highlights **Divine Discernment**, showcasing the Messiah's unique, Spirit-led ability to perceive truth beyond superficiality, rooted in His perfect "fear of the LORD." This leads to **Righteous Judgment**, a core attribute of His reign, where His decisions are based on absolute truth and the true state of hearts, rather than outward appearances or hearsay—a principle Jesus Himself affirmed when He commanded, "Judge not according to the appearance, but [judge righteous judgment](/john/7-24 "John 7:24 - Judge Righteous Judgment")" (John 7:24). Consequently, the verse points to **Perfect Justice**, a central characteristic of the Messiah's coming kingdom, where equity and impartiality will prevail, fulfilling the divine standard for a ruler (e.g., [Psalm 72:1-4](/psalm/72-1 "Psalm 72:1-4 - A Prayer for the King's Righteousness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **quick understanding (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** This word, often translated as "spirit" or "wind," carries the primary meaning of "to blow, breathe," but here, in the Hiphil stem, it signifies "to cause to smell," or by extension, "to perceive by scent." In this context, it implies an intuitive, inherent, almost instinctual discernment or delight. The Messiah's understanding in the fear of the LORD is not a laborious intellectual process but a natural, effortless, and pleasurable apprehension of divine truth, akin to an animal instinctively sensing its environment. It suggests a profound spiritual sensitivity and alignment with God's will.
* **fear (Hebrew, _yirʼâh'_):** This term denotes not terror, but a profound reverence, awe, and worshipful respect. It is an active, living relationship with God that serves as the foundation for all true wisdom and knowledge. The Messiah's "quick understanding" is intrinsically linked to and flows from this perfect, unwavering reverence for the LORD, indicating His complete submission to and delight in God's will.
* **judge (Hebrew, _shâphaṭ'_):** This primitive root means "to judge," "pronounce sentence," "vindicate," or "punish." It encompasses the full scope of judicial authority, including the administration of justice and governance. In the context of the Messiah, it underscores His role as the ultimate, impartial arbiter, whose decisions are always just and true, based on perfect knowledge rather than flawed human perception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD:"** This clause describes the source and nature of the Messiah's unparalleled discernment. The Spirit of the LORD (mentioned in Isaiah 11:2) will empower Him with an intuitive, deep, and delightful understanding that is rooted in and flows from a perfect reverence and awe for God. His insight is not merely intellectual but spiritual, an inherent disposition to perceive and delight in divine truth and righteousness.
* **"and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,"** This part of the verse highlights the impartiality and supernatural quality of the Messiah's judgment. Unlike human judges who are often swayed by outward appearances, superficial evidence, or personal biases, the Messiah's judgments will transcend mere visual perception. He will see beyond the surface, discerning the true state of affairs, the hidden motives, and the heart of the matter.
* **"neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:"** Complementing the previous clause, this phrase further emphasizes the Messiah's unique judicial integrity. His reproofs (or decisions) will not be based on hearsay, rumors, or incomplete oral testimony, which can often be misleading or false. Instead, His discernment will be absolute, penetrating to the core truth, ensuring that His verdicts are always just and accurate, uninfluenced by the limitations or deceptions of human communication.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 11:3 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The primary device is **Contrast**, setting the Messiah's divine discernment against the fallibility of human judgment. By stating that He "shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears," the prophet highlights the stark difference between the Messiah's perfect, Spirit-led insight and the superficial, easily deceived nature of human perception. This is further reinforced by **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where "sight of his eyes" and "hearing of his ears" function as parallel expressions for external, sensory-based, and therefore limited, human understanding. The use of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** is also evident, as "eyes" and "ears" stand in for the entire process of human observation and testimony, emphasizing that the Messiah's judgment transcends these physical, often misleading, inputs. The phrase "quick understanding in the fear of the LORD" itself is a concise, evocative image of profound spiritual intuition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 11:3 speaks to the very heart of God's character and His desire for perfect justice and righteousness to prevail. It underscores the biblical truth that true wisdom and discernment originate from a reverent relationship with the Creator, not from human intellect or sensory data alone. The Messiah's ability to judge beyond appearances foreshadows a kingdom where all hidden things will be revealed, and every decision will be based on infallible truth. This divine standard of judgment is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reflecting God's own perfect knowledge and righteousness, and setting the expectation for His ultimate reign. The verse also implicitly critiques human systems of justice, which are inherently flawed and prone to error, pointing to the necessity of a divine ruler.

* [Psalm 72:2](/psalm/72-2 "Psalm 72:2 - Righteous Judgment of the King")
* [John 8:15-16](/john/8-15 "John 8:15-16 - Jesus Judges with Truth")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:4-13 - All Things Exposed Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Isaiah 11:3 primarily describes the unique, divine qualities of the Messiah, it offers profound principles for believers seeking to live righteously in a fallen world. We are called to cultivate a "fear of the LORD"—a deep reverence and awe for God—as the foundational wellspring of true wisdom and discernment, rather than relying solely on our limited human intellect or worldly perspectives. In a society often driven by superficiality, appearances, and the loudest voices, this verse challenges us to look beyond the surface when forming judgments or making decisions. It encourages us to seek God's wisdom and truth, striving to judge righteously and with spiritual insight, reflecting the character of Christ. This means being slow to condemn based on rumor or first impressions, instead seeking to understand with compassion and discernment, always praying for the Spirit's guidance to perceive truth and act with integrity, even when it's difficult or unpopular.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does cultivating the "fear of the LORD" practically impact our daily decisions and interactions?**
* **In what ways might we, like human judges, be tempted to "judge after the sight of our eyes" or "reprove after the hearing of our ears" in our personal relationships or public discourse?**
* **What steps can we take to develop more Spirit-led discernment and less reliance on superficial information?**

### FAQ
**What does "quick understanding in the fear of the LORD" mean for the Messiah?**

Answer: This phrase signifies that the Messiah's discernment is not merely intellectual but deeply intuitive and spiritually sensitive, flowing effortlessly from His perfect reverence and awe for God. The Hebrew word for "quick understanding" (_rûwach_) suggests an innate ability to "smell" or "perceive" truth, implying that His understanding is immediate, profound, and inherently aligned with God's will. It means His wisdom is not learned through laborious study alone, but is a natural outflow of His perfect relationship with and submission to the Father, enabling Him to perceive divine truth and righteousness with unparalleled clarity. This contrasts sharply with human understanding, which is often clouded by sin, bias, or limited information.

**Why is judging "after the sight of his eyes" and "hearing of his ears" problematic?**

Answer: Judging "after the sight of his eyes" and "hearing of his ears" refers to making decisions based solely on superficial appearances, outward circumstances, or incomplete verbal testimony. This is problematic because human perception is inherently limited and often deceived. What appears to be true on the surface may hide deeper realities, hidden motives, or manipulative deceptions. Similarly, spoken testimony can be biased, incomplete, or outright false. The Messiah's unique ability to transcend these limitations means His judgments are always based on perfect knowledge of the heart and the true state of affairs, ensuring absolute justice and equity. This is a divine quality that sets Him apart from all human rulers and judges, who are prone to error and partiality (cf. [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - The LORD Looks at the Heart")).

**How does this verse relate to the Messiah's character?**

Answer: This verse profoundly reveals the character of the Messiah as the perfectly righteous and just King. It portrays Him as one whose wisdom is not merely intellectual but spiritual, rooted in an unwavering devotion to God. His discernment is absolute, enabling Him to judge and reprove with perfect truth and impartiality, unswayed by external appearances or misleading information. This highlights His integrity, His divine insight, and His unwavering commitment to upholding God's standards of justice. It assures us that His reign will be characterized by fairness, truth, and an unerring ability to distinguish right from wrong, ultimately bringing peace and righteousness to the earth (cf. [Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - The Government Will Be Upon His Shoulders")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 11:3 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated the "quick understanding in the fear of the LORD" that Isaiah prophesied. He did not judge "after the sight of his eyes" or "after the hearing of his ears," but with divine insight that penetrated to the heart of every matter. Time and again, He confounded His accusers and revealed the true intentions of those around Him, knowing what was in man (e.g., [John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). His parables often exposed the hypocrisy hidden beneath religious outward appearances, and His interactions with individuals like the Samaritan woman (e.g., [John 4:17-18](/john/4-17 "John 4:17-18 - Jesus Reveals the Woman's Past")) or the woman caught in adultery (e.g., [John 8:3-11](/john/8-3 "John 8:3-11 - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery")) showcased His ability to see beyond superficial accusations to the deeper spiritual realities. Jesus Himself declared, "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me" ([John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus Judges Righteously")). This perfectly aligns with Isaiah's prophecy, demonstrating His complete reliance on and delight in the Father's will. As the ascended Lord, He continues to exercise this perfect, righteous judgment, and He will fully manifest it when He returns to judge the living and the dead, a King "faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and makes war" ([Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - The Rider on the White Horse, Faithful and True")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 7:24

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

John 8:15

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

John 8:16

And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Proverbs 2:5

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

1 Corinthians 2:13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.