Bible Strands
Isaiah 28:6
a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses Judah during a period of national crisis, describing what the Lord provides to the remnant in contrast to the failing leadership detailed in the surrounding verses.
The words — The text highlights ר֖וּחַ (Ru.ach), meaning spirit, and גְבוּרָ֔ה (gvurah), meaning strength, which are directly assigned to specific groups rather than presented as abstract divine attributes.
The thread — The concept of God-given strength appears in Psalms 18:32, the theme of just judgment is noted in John 5:30, and the gathering of leaders is recorded in Numbers 11:16.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that righteous governance and military defense depend entirely on divine provision rather than human capability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
Cross-references
- Psalms 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way clear.
- John 5:30 I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
- Numbers 11:16 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you.
- Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Isaiah 11:2 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.
- Isaiah 32:15 until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest.
- John 3:34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
- Genesis 41:38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?”
- Numbers 27:16 “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation
- Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”