This verse presents the main clauses introduced by the subordinate clauses in the previous verse. It looks forward to the time when the Davidic throne will be established again.

Then a throne will be established in steadfast love: A throne is a king’s seat (see 6.1); here it is a symbol of his rule (see 9.7). Steadfast love will be the primary feature of his rule. Steadfast love renders the Hebrew word chesed, which is a very significant theological term in the Old Testament. This is the first time it occurs in the book. It can be rendered “goodness,” “graciousness,” or “kindness.” It is often linked with “faithfulness” and “love.” Both God and people can show chesed. It has a special place in the vocabulary of the Davidic kings, so it is used here (see, for example, 2 Sam 7.15; Psa 89.1-4).

And on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness: This long sentence is composed of several parts, so it is helpful to break it up to show the parts that belong together. The main verb is sit but the subject of the verb is one who … righteousness. In this complex subject there is a reference to three activities: judging, seeking justice, and doing righteousness. Yahweh himself did these things (see Psa 89.14), and he expected his earthly representative, the king, to do them also. The expected rule is described further by two adverbial phrases, in faithfulness and in the tent of David, which are discussed below.

The new king will sit on the throne. Although kings physically sit on a throne when they rule, here the verb is symbolic for the exercise of power. It may be rendered “rule.”

In faithfulness describes the truthfulness and honesty that will be part of this king’s ruling. The Hebrew term here is often rendered “truth.”

In the tent of David refers to much more than the tent, that is, the house, the king will live in. The metaphor of a tent refers to the kingdom of David, a kingdom that in David’s time actually included Moab. If translators wish to retain the vocabulary of sitting on a throne in a palace, they can do so. Tent of David could also be a symbolic reference to Jerusalem, the center of Davidic rule, but no version consulted makes this explicit. For Good News Translation tent of David is a reference to “David’s descendants.”

One who judges is the first activity of the new king. This implies he will judge fairly.

Seeks justice is the second activity of his rule. He will always uphold justice and the law. See the comments on this expression at 1.17.

Finally, he will be swift to do righteousness. He will act justly without delay. Compare 9.7, which also refers to justice and righteousness as characteristics of the new king’s rule.

For the translation of this verse we offer the following examples:

• … then in David’s realm there will be established in goodness a ruler who will rule with all honesty. He will judge fairly, pursue justice, and quickly ensure just dealings.

• … then a throne will be set up in David’s realm marked by goodness and honesty. The ruler will be one who judges fairly, who pursues justice, and swiftly acts with righteousness.

If translators find that it is necessary to combine verses 4b and 5 in order to place the first main clause ahead of the subordinate clauses, the following translation example is a possibility:

4b-5 A throne will be set up in David’s realm when the oppression has ceased, destruction is at an end, and the aggressor has gone from our land. That throne will be marked by goodness and honesty, the ruler will be one who judges fairly, who pursues justice and swiftly acts with righteousness.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .