Isaiah 28:6

6 He will give a spirit of justice to those who judge. He will give strength to those who defend the city gates in battle.

Isaiah 28:6 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 28:6

And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment,
&c.] That is, as the Lord would give honour and glory to the people in general, so wisdom and prudence, a spirit of judgment and discerning, to the king in particular, who sat on the throne of judgment to do justice, and execute judgment among his subjects: though this need not be restrained to the king, but be applied to all the judges and magistrates in the land, who sat and heard causes and complaints brought before them, for which they should be qualified by the Lord; so Aben Ezra interprets it of the sanhedrim: and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate;
as wisdom is promised to the king and judges of the land, so strength of body and mind, valour and courage, to the prince and his army; so that they should turn the battle, and cause their enemies to fly before them, and pursue them to the very gates of their cities, as Hezekiah did, ( 2 Kings 18:8 ) . The Syriac version is, "who turn the battle from the gate"; who, when besieged, sally out upon the besiegers, and drive them from their gates, oblige them to break up the siege, and fly before them. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "and strength to them that return from war to the gate": that come home victorious to their own houses; and so the Targum,

``that he may give victory to them that go out in war, to return them in peace to their own houses.''

Wisdom in the cabinet and courts of judicature, and courage in the camp, are two great blessings to a nation, and serve much to explain the glory and beauty before promised.

Isaiah 28:6 In-Context

4 Their glorious beauty is [like] a withered flower. They are at the entrance to a fertile valley. They will be like figs that ripened early. As soon as someone sees them, they will be taken and eaten.

5 When that day comes, the LORD of Armies will be like a glorious crown for his few remaining people.

6 He will give a spirit of justice to those who judge. He will give strength to those who defend the city gates in battle.

7 Priests and prophets stagger from wine and wobble from too much liquor. They stagger from too much liquor and become confused from too much wine. They wobble because of their liquor. They stagger when they see visions. They swerve as they judge.

8 All the tables are covered with vomit and excrement. There isn't a clean place left.