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 30:12
Context30:12 For this reason this is what the Holy One of Israel says:
“You have rejected this message; 5
you trust instead in your ability to oppress and trick, 6
and rely on that kind of behavior. 7
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 The sentence actually begins with the word “because.” In the Hebrew text vv. 12-13 are one long sentence.
6 tn Heb “and you trust in oppression and cunning.”
7 tn Heb “and you lean on it”; NAB “and depend on it.”
