A throne will be established in loving kindness. One will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging, seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.
Parallel translations
- KJV And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
- BSB in loving devotion a throne will be established in the tent of David. A judge seeking justice and hastening righteousness will sit on it in faithfulness.
- NKJV In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.”
- NASB A throne will be established in faithfulness, And a judge will sit on it in trustworthiness in the tent of David; Moreover, he will seek justice, And be prompt in righteousness.
- NLT then God will establish one of David’s descendants as king. He will rule with mercy and truth. He will always do what is just and be eager to do what is right.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A throne will be established in steadfast love, occupied by one who judges with truth and righteousness in David's tent. This points to the enduring kingdom of the coming Messiah.
Overview
Amid the surrounding judgment, Isaiah holds out the promise of a faithful king in the line of David who rules with justice and mercy. While referring to the Davidic dynasty, the language reaches beyond any mere human king to the Messiah. Christians rightly see here a clear pointer to Jesus Christ, whose reign of righteousness and loving kindness fulfills this hope.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 30
- Dan 7:14There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
- Isa 9:6–7For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Mic 4:7and I will make that which was lame a remnant, and that which was cast far off a strong nation: and Yahweh will reign over them on Mount Zion from then on, even forever.”
- Dan 7:27The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
- Zech 9:9Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
- Luke 1:31–33Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’
- Isa 32:1–2Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.
- 2 Sam 7:16Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”
- Prov 20:28Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
- 2 Pet 3:11–12Therefore since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness,
- Acts 15:16–17‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,
- Isa 55:4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.
- 2 Sam 5:9David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.
- 2 Chr 31:20Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh his God.
- Amos 9:11In that day I will raise up the tent of David who is fallen, and close up its breaches, and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;
- Prov 29:14The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
- Isa 11:1–5A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.
- Ps 85:10Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
- Ps 96:13before Yahweh; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.
- 1 Kgs 10:9Blessed is Yahweh your God, who delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel. Because Yahweh loved Israel forever, therefore he made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”
- Ps 61:6–7You will prolong the king’s life; his years shall be for generations.
- Luke 1:69–75and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
- 2 Sam 23:3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,
- Ps 89:14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.
- Ps 99:4The King’s strength also loves justice. You do establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.
- Ps 89:1–2A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
- Ps 72:2–4He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
- Jer 23:5–6“Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
- Ps 98:9Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
- Heb 1:8–9But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 16:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.