Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him--the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
The Spirit of the LORD
This phrase signifies the divine presence and empowerment that comes directly from God. In Hebrew, "Ruach Yahweh" indicates the breath or wind of God, symbolizing His life-giving and sustaining power. The Spirit's resting on the Messiah is a fulfillment of God's promise to send a deliverer who is fully equipped with divine authority and capability. This is a direct reference to the anointing of Jesus Christ, who, in the New Testament, is shown to be filled with the Holy Spirit, marking Him as the chosen one to fulfill God's redemptive plan.

will rest on Him
The Hebrew word "nuach" means to settle down or remain. This implies a permanent indwelling of the Spirit upon the Messiah, unlike the temporary empowerment seen in the Old Testament judges and prophets. This resting signifies peace, stability, and divine approval, indicating that the Messiah will operate in perfect harmony with God's will. It is a prophetic assurance of the Messiah's divine nature and mission.

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding
"Wisdom" (Hebrew: "chokmah") and "understanding" (Hebrew: "binah") are often paired in Scripture to denote the ability to discern and apply knowledge effectively. Wisdom is the practical application of divine truth, while understanding is the insight into the deeper things of God. Together, they equip the Messiah to lead with divine insight, making righteous judgments and guiding His people in truth. This reflects the perfect wisdom of Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).

the Spirit of counsel and strength
"Counsel" (Hebrew: "etsah") refers to the ability to devise a plan or strategy, while "strength" (Hebrew: "geburah") denotes might and power. This combination highlights the Messiah's role as a wise and powerful leader, capable of executing God's plans with authority and effectiveness. It points to Jesus' role as the Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6), who guides His people with perfect wisdom and defends them with divine power.

the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD
"Knowledge" (Hebrew: "da'ath") implies an intimate awareness and understanding of God's will and purposes. "Fear of the LORD" (Hebrew: "yirah") is a reverential awe and respect for God, recognizing His holiness and authority. This fear is not about being afraid but about honoring God with obedience and worship. The Messiah, filled with this Spirit, perfectly knows and reveres God, setting an example for believers to follow. This reflects Jesus' perfect obedience to the Father, as seen throughout the Gospels.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Messiah (Him)
This passage is a prophecy about the coming Messiah, who Christians believe is Jesus Christ. The Messiah is depicted as being endowed with the Spirit of the LORD.

2. The Spirit of the LORD
Refers to the Holy Spirit, who will rest upon the Messiah, empowering Him with divine attributes and qualities.

3. Isaiah
The prophet who delivered this message. Isaiah's prophecies often pointed to the coming of a future king from the line of David who would establish God's kingdom.

4. The Kingdom of Judah
The southern kingdom during Isaiah's time, which was facing political and spiritual challenges. The prophecy offered hope for a future righteous ruler.

5. The Davidic Line
The lineage from which the Messiah is prophesied to come, fulfilling God's promise to David of an everlasting kingdom.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers with wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and reverence for God. Seek the Spirit's guidance in daily life.

Christ as the Fulfillment
Jesus embodies the qualities described in Isaiah 11:2. Recognize Him as the source of divine wisdom and strength in your life.

Living in Reverence
The fear of the LORD is a profound respect and awe for God. Cultivate a lifestyle that honors God through obedience and worship.

Spiritual Gifts
Believers are endowed with spiritual gifts for the edification of the church. Identify and use your gifts to serve others and glorify God.

Hope in Prophecy
Isaiah's prophecy offers hope and assurance of God's plan. Trust in God's promises and His sovereign control over history.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the description of the Messiah in Isaiah 11:2 enhance your understanding of Jesus' ministry and character?

2. In what ways can you seek the Spirit of wisdom and understanding in your daily decisions and interactions?

3. How does the fear of the LORD influence your relationship with God and others?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the Spirit's counsel and strength. How did it impact your situation?

5. How can you actively use your spiritual gifts to contribute to your church community and witness to others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 61:1
This verse also speaks of the Spirit of the Lord being upon the Messiah, emphasizing His anointing for ministry.

Luke 4:18-19
Jesus reads from Isaiah in the synagogue, identifying Himself as the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the Spirit of the Lord.

John 14:26
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His disciples, highlighting the Spirit's role in teaching and reminding them of His words.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10
Paul describes the gifts of the Spirit, which include wisdom, knowledge, and discernment, reflecting the attributes mentioned in Isaiah 11:2.
Christ's Enduements by the SpiritR. Tuck Isaiah 11:2
Characteristics of Jesus ChristW. Clarkson Isaiah 11:1-5
The Coming of the MessiahE. Johnson Isaiah 11:1-9
A Prophecy Concerning Messiah the PrinceIsaiah 11:1-16
Assyria and Israel: a ContrastJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 11:1-16
Christ the Fruitful BranchF. Delitzsch.Isaiah 11:1-16
Eternal YouthfulnessJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 11:1-16
Messiah's ReignD. Brown, D. D.Isaiah 11:1-16
Prophecy: a Very Good TransitionIsaiah 11:1-16
The BranchExpository TimesIsaiah 11:1-16
The Kingdom of ChristE. N. Packard.Isaiah 11:1-16
The Kingdom of Christ in the World is Only the Presence of Christ in the WorldE. N. Packard.Isaiah 11:1-16
The Picture of the FutureProf. G. A. Smith, D. D.Isaiah 11:1-16
The Qualifications of Christ for His Mediatorial OfficeJ. Hambleton, M. A.Isaiah 11:1-16
The Rod Out of the Stem of JesseJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 11:1-16
The Stem from the Rod of JesseAnon.Isaiah 11:1-16
Three Great IdealsProf. G. A. Smith, D. D.Isaiah 11:1-16
Christ is Full of LightH. W. Beecher.Isaiah 11:2-5
Coronation GiftsF. Platt, B. D.Isaiah 11:2-5
Gifts of the Spirit from Christ to His ChurchJ. Ayre, M. A.Isaiah 11:2-5
Spiritual Endowments for Earthly RulersF. Platt, B. D.Isaiah 11:2-5
The Great PreacherE. P. Marvin.Isaiah 11:2-5
The Hallowing of the Secular LifeF. Platt, B. D.Isaiah 11:2-5
The Spirit of GodF. Delitzsch.Isaiah 11:2-5
The Spirit of God in Patriotism and Judicial AdministratiF. Platt, B. D.Isaiah 11:2-5
The Spirit of the LordF. Delitzsch.Isaiah 11:2-5
The Spirit of the Lord has Always Been in Human HistoryJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 11:2-5
The Spirit of WhitsuntideC. Kingsley, M. A.Isaiah 11:2-5
People
Ammonites, Elam, Isaiah, Jesse
Places
Assyria, Cush, Edom, Egypt, Elam, Euphrates River, Hamath, Jerusalem, Judah, Moab, Pathros, Sea of Egypt, Shinar
Topics
Counsel, Fear, Guiding, Power, Rest, Rested, Resting, Sense, Spirit, Strength, Understanding, Wisdom, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 11:2

     1180   God, wisdom of
     2054   Christ, mind of
     2081   Christ, wisdom
     3015   Holy Spirit, divinity
     3025   Holy Spirit, personality
     3040   Holy Spirit, promise of
     3050   Holy Spirit, wisdom
     3110   Holy Spirit, titles of
     3212   Holy Spirit, and mission
     3269   Holy Spirit, in Christ
     3272   Holy Spirit, in OT
     3278   Holy Spirit, indwelling
     3281   Holy Spirit, inspiration
     4804   breath
     5426   news
     5779   advice
     5780   advisers
     8135   knowing God, nature of
     8355   understanding
     8365   wisdom, human
     8367   wisdom, importance of

Isaiah 11:1-2

     1351   covenant, with David
     2206   Jesus, the Christ

Isaiah 11:1-3

     1412   foreknowledge
     5302   education

Isaiah 11:1-4

     8319   perception, spiritual

Isaiah 11:1-5

     4416   branch
     5366   king
     7735   leaders, political

Isaiah 11:1-9

     2376   kingdom of God, coming
     9140   last days

Isaiah 11:1-10

     1443   revelation, OT
     6708   predestination

Isaiah 11:2-3

     2039   Christ, joy of
     3030   Holy Spirit, power
     5805   comfort
     8335   reverence, and blessing

Isaiah 11:2-4

     2230   Messiah, coming of

Isaiah 11:2-5

     1125   God, righteousness

Isaiah 11:2-9

     9145   Messianic age

Library
The Sucker from the Felled Oak
'And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; 3. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Great Voices from Heaven
'Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

July the Second Light and Lightning
"And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him." --ISAIAH xi. 1-10. And the spirit is one of light! All the doors and windows are open. His correspondences are perfect and unbroken. He is of "quick understanding," keen-scented to discern the essences of things, alert to perceive the reality behind the semblance, to "see things as they are." All the great primary senses are awake, and He has knowledge of every "secret place." "He shall smite ... with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations,
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

Would You See when and Where the Kingdoms of this Fallen World are Become A...
Would you see when and where the kingdoms of this fallen world are become a kingdom of God, the gospel prophet tells you, that it is then and there where all enmity ceases. "The wolf," says he, "shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. The calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed, and their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The suckling child shall
William Law—An Humble, Affectionate, and Earnest Address to the Clergy

Fragment iv.
[1745] As the elders who saw John the disciple of the Lord remembered that they had heard from him how the Lord taught in regard to those times, and said]: "The days will come in which vines shall grow, having each ten thousand branches, and in each branch ten thousand twigs, and in each true twig ten thousand shoots, and in every one of the shoots ten thousand clusters, and on every one of the clusters ten thousand grapes, and every grape when pressed will give five-and-twenty metretes of wine.
Papias—Fragments of Papias

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha, which are Quoted, or Incidentally Illustrated, in the Institutes.
TO THE AUTHORS QUOTED IN THE INSTITUTES PREFATORY ADDRESS TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY, THE MOST MIGHTY AND ILLUSTRIOUS MONARCH, FRANCIS, KING OF THE FRENCH, HIS SOVEREIGN; [1] JOHN CALVIN PRAYS PEACE AND SALVATION IN CHRIST. [2] Sire,--When I first engaged in this work, nothing was farther from my thoughts than to write what should afterwards be presented to your Majesty. My intention was only to furnish a kind of rudiments, by which those who feel some interest in religion might be trained to
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The General Deliverance
"The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that subjected it: Yet in hope that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth, and travaileth in pain together until now." Rom. 8:19-22. 1. Nothing is more sure, than that as "the Lord is loving to every
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The General Spread of the Gospel
"The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters covers the sea." Isa. 11:9. 1. In what a condition is the world at present! How does darkness, intellectual darkness, ignorance, with vice and misery attendant upon it, cover the face of the earth! From the accurate inquiry made with indefatigable pains by our ingenious countryman, Mr. Brerewood; (who travelled himself over a great part of the known world, in order to form the more exact judgment;) supposing the world to be divided
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings
THE following list contains the passages in the Old Testament applied to the Messiah or to Messianic times in the most ancient Jewish writings. They amount in all to 456, thus distributed: 75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiorgrapha, and supported by more than 558 separate quotations from Rabbinic writings. Despite all labour care, it can scarcely be hoped that the list is quite complete, although, it is hoped, no important passage has been omitted. The Rabbinic references
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Absurd Doctrine of Abaelard, who Attributes Properly and Specically the Absolute and Essential Names to one Person, is Opposed.
The absurd doctrine of Abaelard, who attributes properly and specically the absolute and essential names to one Person, is opposed. 5. Now notice more clearly what he thinks, teaches, and writes. He says that Power properly and specially belongs to the Father, Wisdom to the Son, which, indeed, is false. For the Father both, is, and is most truly called, Wisdom, and the Son Power, and what is common to Both is not the proprium , of Each singly. There are certainly some other names which do not belong
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.
In this Commandment too a good work is commanded, which includes much and drives away much vice; it is called purity, or chastity, of which much is written and preached, and it is well known to every one, only that it is not as carefully observed and practised as other works which are not commanded. So ready are we to do what is not commanded and to leave undone what is commanded. We see that the world is full of shameful works of unchastity, indecent words, tales and ditties, temptation to which
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Return of Christ to the Earth Itself.
If to-day the presence of the Lord on earth is urgently needed, how much greater will be this need at the close of the Tribulation period! The Anti-christ in full power, openly blaspheming and blatantly defying God! All the world worshipping this Son of Perdition and branded with his mark on their foreheads or in their hands as token of their allegiance to him! The godly remnant of the Jews in the very last extremity and crying, "Keep not Thou silence, O God: hold not Thy peace, and be not still
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Notes on the First Century:
Page 1. Line 1. An empty book is like an infant's soul.' Here Traherne may possibly have had in his mind a passage in Bishop Earle's "Microcosmography." In delineating the character of a child, Earle says: "His soul is yet a white paper unscribbled with observations of the world, wherewith at length it becomes a blurred note-book," Page 14. Line 25. The entrance of his words. This sentence is from Psalm cxix. 130. Page 15. Last line of Med. 21. "Insatiableness." This word in Traherne's time was often
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations

The King in Exile
'And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. 14. When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15. And was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles and of this Miracle of Miracles - views of Negative Criticism on this History
From listening to the teaching of Christ, we turn once more to follow His working. It will be remembered, that the visit to Bethany divides the period from the Feast of the Dedication to the last Paschal week into two parts. It also forms the prelude and preparation for the awful events of the End. For, it was on that occasion that the members of the Sanhedrin formally resolved on His Death. It now only remained to settle and carry out the plans for giving effect to their purpose. This is one aspect
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel. 4. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers.
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Holy Spirit and the Incarnation of the Word. ...
The Holy Spirit and the Incarnation of the Word. We are so familiar with the part assigned in our Creeds to the Holy Spirit in connection with our Lord's birth, that the passage now to be quoted from Justin may at first sight seem very surprising. It may be well to approach it by citing some words from the learned and orthodox Waterland, who in 1734, in his book on The Trinity (c. vi: Works, III, 571: Oxford, 1843), wrote as follows in reference to a passage of St Irenæus: "I may remark by
Irenæus—The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever! T he Kingdom of our Lord in the heart, and in the world, is frequently compared to a building or house, of which He Himself is both the Foundation and the Architect (Isaiah 28:16 and 54:11, 12) . A building advances by degrees (I Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:20-22) , and while it is in an unfinished state, a stranger cannot, by viewing its present appearance, form an accurate judgment
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Love and Discernment.
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all judgment: that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."--PHIL. i. 9-11. One of the most beautiful elements in the Pauline Epistles is the intimate relation which evidently existed between the Apostle and his converts. This is especially the
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

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