Bible Strands
Isaiah 32:1
Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet Isaiah addresses Judah, contrasting the nation's current instability with a future era of divinely appointed leadership.
The words — The Hebrew הֵ֥ן (hen) functions as a declarative "behold," while יִמְלָךְ (yimlokh) and יָשֹׂרוּ (yasoru) share a root to describe the king reigning and princes ruling.
The thread — The text announces a king ruling in righteousness and princes governing with justice, a theme that runs to Isaiah 9:6, Jeremiah 33:15, and Hebrews 1:8.
Why it lands — The passage defines legitimate authority by its moral output, requiring readers to assess leadership by its measurable adherence to justice rather than its title or power.
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
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Jeremiah 33:15 In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout for David a righteous Branch, and He will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
- Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
- Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.
- 2 Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
- Psalms 45:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
- Psalms 45:6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
- Psalms 72:1 Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.
- Psalms 99:4 The mighty King loves justice. You have established equity; You have exercised justice and righteousness in Jacob.
- Isaiah 11:4 but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.