The Meaning of Isaiah 32:16 Explained

Isaiah 32:16

KJV: Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

YLT: And dwelt in the wilderness hath judgment, And righteousness in the fruitful field remaineth.

Darby: And judgment shall inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness dwell in the fruitful field.

ASV: Then justice shall dwell in the wilderness; and righteousness shall abide in the fruitful field.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then judgment  shall dwell  in the wilderness,  and righteousness  remain  in the fruitful field. 

What does Isaiah 32:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Isaiah 32:9-20 - The Fruits Of Righteousness
When Christ's kingdom is set up it will bring dismay to the poor children of fashion. For more days than there are in the year will they be troubled, Isaiah 32:10, and will smite on their breasts in lamentation, Isaiah 32:12. The prediction of Isaiah 32:15-20 includes Pentecost, and looks forward to the era which lies immediately beyond this travail of the world. What is now reckoned as a fruitful field will be regarded as a barren forest in comparison with what shall then exist. Let us remember that righteousness must precede peace. See Matthew 5:24 and Hebrews 7:2. When God's judgments are hurtling through the air, and proud cities are being leveled to the earth, let us take refuge in His loving care. In Him are our safe dwellings and our quiet resting-places. But when the world is most unquiet, let us pursue our work of salvation; for when waters overflow the banks of the river, oxen and asses may still be sent forth to make furrows for the harvest seed. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 32

1  The blessings of Christ's kingdom
9  Desolation is foreshown
14  Restoration is promised to succeed

What do the individual words in Isaiah 32:16 mean?

And will dwell in the wilderness justice and righteousness in the fruitful field remain
וְשָׁכַ֥ן בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּצְדָקָ֖ה בַּכַּרְמֶ֥ל תֵּשֵֽׁב

וְשָׁכַ֥ן  And  will  dwell 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁכַן  
Sense: to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר  in  the  wilderness 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִדְבָּר 
Sense: wilderness.
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט  justice 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁפָּט  
Sense: judgment, justice, ordinance.
וּצְדָקָ֖ה  and  righteousness 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.
בַּכַּרְמֶ֥ל  in  the  fruitful  field 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כַּרְמֶל 
Sense: plantation, garden-land, orchard, fruit orchard.
תֵּשֵֽׁב  remain 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.