The Meaning of Isaiah 32:17 Explained

Isaiah 32:17

KJV: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

YLT: And a work of the righteousness hath been peace, And a service of the righteousness -- Keeping quiet and confidence unto the age.

Darby: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.

ASV: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence for ever.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the work  of righteousness  shall be peace;  and the effect  of righteousness  quietness  and assurance  for  ever. 

What does Isaiah 32:17 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 32:17 mean?

And will be the work of righteousness peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever
וְהָיָ֛ה מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה הַצְּדָקָ֖ה שָׁל֑וֹם וַֽעֲבֹדַת֙ הַצְּדָקָ֔ה הַשְׁקֵ֥ט וָבֶ֖טַח עַד־ עוֹלָֽם

וְהָיָ֛ה  And  will  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה  the  work 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
הַצְּדָקָ֖ה  of  righteousness 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.
שָׁל֑וֹם  peace 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׁלֹום  
Sense: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace.
וַֽעֲבֹדַת֙  and  the  effect 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: עֲבֹדָה  
Sense: labour, service.
הַצְּדָקָ֔ה  of  righteousness 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.
הַשְׁקֵ֥ט  quietness 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Infinitive absolute
Root: שָׁקַט  
Sense: to be quiet, be tranquil, be at peace, be quiet, rest, lie still, be undisturbed.
וָבֶ֖טַח  and  assurance 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: בֶּטַח  
Sense: security, safety adv.
עוֹלָֽם  ever 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.