For the vile person will speak villany , etc.; rather, for the fool speaketh folly , and his heart doeth wickedness , practising profanity and uttering error against Jehocab , making empty the soul of the hungry—yea , the drink of the thirsty will he cause to fail . The prophet seems to have the portrait of Nabal in his mind, and to take him as the type of a class. read more
The instruments . Mr. Cheyne translates, "the machinations," which gives a better sense; but the rendering is scarcely borne out by any parallel use of the term c'li in Scripture or elsewhere. C'li properly means "vessels," "weapons," "implements." He deviseth wicked devices ; rather, he deviseth plots . The word "he" is emphatic. Unlike the fool, who passively does evil through thoughtlessness, the niggard actively devises crafty plans against his fellow-men. He seeks to cheat the... read more
The vile person - Hebrew, ‘Fool.’ But the connection requires us to understand this as the opposite of liberal; and it means a person who is close, miserly, narrow-minded, covetous. This person is designated, very appropriately, as a fool.Shall be no more called liberal - It is probable that under the reign of former princes, when all views of right and wrong had been perverted, people of unprincipled character had been the subjects of flattery, and names of virtue had been attributed to them... read more
For the vile person - Hebrew, ‘The fool.’ This word more properly expresses the idea than ‘vile person.’ The Hebrews Used the name fool to denote not only one destitute of understanding, but a knave, a dishonest man - regarding sin as the highest folly (see 1Sa 25:25; 2 Samuel 3:33; Job 2:10).Will speak villainy - Hebrew, ‘Will speak folly.’ That is, he will act in accordance with his nature; it is his nature to speak folly, and he will do it. Under a wicked and unjust administration such... read more
The instruments also - In the Hebrew here there is a paronomasia which cannot be imitated in a translation. The word ‘instruments’ here denotes evidently the means by which the churl accomplishes his object; whether it be by words, by judicial decisions, or by crafty devices. This is also a kind of proverbial expression, and is given as a further reason why such a person would not be employed by a wise and virtuous prince.Are evil - He will make use of any unprincipled means, any wicked plan or... read more
Isaiah 32:5-6. The vile person Base and worthless men; shall be no more called liberal Shall no longer be reputed honourable, because of their high and honourable places, but wickedness shall be discovered wherever it is, and virtue manifested and rewarded. Nor the churl said to be bountiful The sordid and covetous man; but under this one vice all vices are understood, as under the opposite virtue of bountifulness all virtues are comprehended. For the vile person will speak villany ... read more
Isaiah 32:7-8. The instruments also of the churl are evil Hebrew, כלי , the vessels. It is a word of a very general signification among the Hebrews, and signifies any person or thing which is employed in a man’s service. The sense is, that such covetous or wicked princes most willingly choose and employ wicked men in their affairs, because such men will, without any regard to conscience or justice: serve all their exorbitant desires. It includes, however, his counsels, practices, and... read more
A kingdom of righteousness (32:1-20)Looking beyond the victory over the Assyrians, Isaiah sees the day when the people of God are under the rule of an ideal government. At the head of this government is a king whose chief officials share his characteristics of integrity, justice and mercy. Together they give their people protection and contentment (32:1-2).In such a kingdom the people as a whole reflect in their lives the qualities of their rulers. They have a desire to know more of God and his... read more
vile . . . villany. Note the Figure of speech, Paronomasia ( App-6 ). Hebrew. nabal nebalah. iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven . App-6 the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 soul. Hebrew. nephesh . App-13 read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 32:5-8
A mark of good government, etc. Three lines of thought are here laid down. We have— I. A MARK OF GOOD GOVERNMENT . The displacement of the unworthy and the elevation of the good and wise. Under the reign of the righteous King ( Isaiah 32:1 ) the "fool will no longer be called a nobleman," the man of mean character but lofty rank will be made to know his true place in the commonwealth; on the other hand, the man who has in him the qualities of nobility ( Isaiah 32:8 ) shall... read more