Discovery BoxIsaiah 11:2 
Context11:2 The Lord’s spirit will rest on him 1 –
a spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, 2
a spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, 3
a spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord. 4
Isaiah 28:12
Context28:12 In the past he said to them, 5
“This is where security can be found.
Provide security for the one who is exhausted!
This is where rest can be found.” 6
But they refused to listen.
Isaiah 44:17
Context44:17 With the rest of it he makes a god, his idol;
he bows down to it and worships it.
He prays to it, saying,
‘Rescue me, for you are my god!’
Isaiah 63:14
Context63:14 Like an animal that goes down into a valley to graze, 7
so the Spirit of the Lord granted them rest.
In this way 8 you guided your people,
gaining for yourself an honored reputation. 9
Isaiah 66:1
Context66:1 This is what the Lord says:
“The heavens are my throne
and the earth is my footstool.
Where then is the house you will build for me?
Where is the place where I will rest?
1 sn Like David (1 Sam 16:13), this king will be energized by the Lord’s spirit.
2 tn Heb “a spirit of wisdom and understanding.” The synonyms are joined here to emphasize the degree of wisdom he will possess. His wisdom will enable him to make just legal decisions (v. 3). A very similar phrase occurs in Eph 1:17.
3 tn Heb “a spirit of counsel [or “strategy”] and strength.” The construction is a hendiadys; the point is that he will have the strength/ability to execute the plans/strategies he devises. This ability will enable him to suppress oppressors and implement just policies (v. 4).
4 tn Heb “a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.” “Knowledge” is used here in its covenantal sense and refers to a recognition of God’s authority and a willingness to submit to it. See Jer 22:16. “Fear” here refers to a healthy respect for God’s authority which produces obedience. Taken together the two terms emphasize the single quality of loyalty to the Lord. This loyalty guarantees that he will make just legal decisions and implement just policies (vv. 4-5).
5 tn Heb “who said to them.”
6 sn This message encapsulates the Lord’s invitation to his people to find security in his protection and blessing.
7 tn The words “to graze” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
8 tn Or “so” (KJV, ASV), or “thus” (NAB, NRSV).
9 tn Heb “making for yourself a majestic name.”
