And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

ISAIAH 1:26KJV
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Isaiah 1:26 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 1:26 mean?

Isaiah 1:26 promises that God will restore trustworthy leaders—judges and counselors—to Jerusalem, just as in earlier, better days. After this renewal, Jerusalem will be known as a city marked by righteousness and faithfulness.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Jerusalem, who have strayed from justice and integrity. The promise points to a future time when God will reverse the city’s decline by giving it wise and just leadership, leading to a reputation for moral uprightness. This verse is part of a larger message calling the people to repentance and offering hope for restoration.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 1:26

  • "restore" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means "to return" or "to bring back." Here, it highlights God’s active role in bringing back the kind of leadership Jerusalem once had, not just repairing but returning to an original, better state.
  • "judges" (שָׁפַט, shafat) and "counsellors" (יָעַץ, ya‘ats): These refer to officials who make decisions and give guidance. Their restoration signals a return to justice and wise governance, which had been lost.
  • "righteousness" (צֶדֶק, tsedeq) and "faithful" (אֱמוּנָה, ’emunah): These words emphasize moral character and reliability. The new reputation of Jerusalem will be grounded in these qualities, showing a complete transformation from its former corruption.

Why Isaiah 1:26 matters

  • Isaiah 1:26 clarifies that God’s restoration is not just about physical rebuilding but about renewing the moral and social fabric of the community.
  • The verse connects to the wider chapter, which criticizes corrupt leaders and empty religious rituals, showing that true renewal starts with justice and faithfulness.
  • This promise reassures readers that God’s plans for restoration are thorough, addressing both leadership and the reputation of the entire city.

Where else these words appear

“beginning” Hebrew H8462 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
  • Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

“city” Hebrew H7151 · used in 31 verses

  • Numbers 21:28 For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
  • Proverbs 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
  • Isaiah 29:1 Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.

“counsellors” Hebrew H3289 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Chronicles 22:4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
  • Isaiah 3:3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.

“faithful” Hebrew H539 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Kings 10:5 And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
  • Psalms 106:12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.