Isa 11:3-5 | JFB | STEP | 3. make him of quick understanding-- literally, "quick-scented in the fear of Jehovah"; endowed with a singular sagacity in discerning the genuine principle of religious fear of God, when it lies dormant in the yet unawakened sinner ( ; Ac 10:1-48; 16:14) [Horsley]. But Maurer, "He shall delight in the fear of God." The Hebrew means "to delight in the odors" of anything ( ; ); "smell," that is, "delight in." after ... sight-- according to mere external appearances ( ; ; ; ). Herein Messiah is represented a just Judge and Ruler ( , ). reprove-- "decide," as the parallelism shows. after ... ears-- by mere plausible hearsays, but by the true merits of each case ( ; ).

‏ Isaiah 11:3-5

3. make him of quick understanding--literally, "quick-scented in the fear of Jehovah"; endowed with a singular sagacity in discerning the genuine principle of religious fear of God, when it lies dormant in the yet unawakened sinner (Mt 12:20; Ac 10:1-48; 16:14) [Horsley]. But Maurer, "He shall delight in the fear of God." The Hebrew means "to delight in the odors" of anything (Ex 30:38; Am 5:21); "smell," that is, "delight in."

after ... sight--according to mere external appearances (Joh 7:24; 8:15; Jas 2:1; 1Sa 16:7). Herein Messiah is represented a just Judge and Ruler (De 1:16, 17).

reprove--"decide," as the parallelism shows.

after ... ears--by mere plausible hearsays, but by the true merits of each case (Joh 6:64; Re 2:23).

4. judge--see that impartial justice is done them. "Judge" may mean here "rule," as in Psa 67:4.

reprove--or, "argue"; "decide." But Lowth, "work conviction in."

earth--Compare with Mt 5:5, and Re 11:15.

earth--its ungodly inhabitants, answering to "the wicked" in the parallel, and in antithesis to the "poor" and "meek," namely, in spirit, the humble pious (Mt 5:3). It is at the same time implied that "the earth" will be extraordinarily wicked when He shall come to judge and reign. His reign shall therefore be ushered in with judgments on the apostates (Psa 2:9-12; Lu 18:8; Re 2:27).

rod of ... mouth--condemning sentences which proceed from His mouth against the wicked (Re 1:16; 2:16; 19:15, 21).

breath of ... lips--his judicial decisions (Is 30:28; Job 15:30; Re 19:20; 20:9-12). He as the Word of God (Re 19:13-15) comes to strike that blow which shall decide His claim to the kingdom, previously usurped by Satan, and "the beast" to whom Satan delegates his power. It will be a day of judgment to the Gentile dispensation, as the first coming was to the Jews. Compare a type of the "rod" (Nu 17:2-10).

5. righteousness ... girdle--(Re 1:13; 19:11). The antitypical High Priest (Ex 28:4). The girdle secures firmly the rest of the garments (1Pe 1:13). So "truth" gives firm consistency to the whole character (Ep 5:14). In Is 59:17, "righteousness" is His breastplate.