32:1 a king will rule according to righteousness May refer to the Messiah (see 11:1–4) or a repentant king of Judah.

32:3 the eyes of those who see See note on Isa 29:18. Once again, the message will finally be received, understood, and accepted.

32:4 the tongues of stammerers Compare the gibberish spoken in 28:10–11 (see note on 28:10).

32:5 will no longer be called noble The nobles of Judah had shown themselves to be wicked and foolish, seeking alliance with Egypt and oppressing the people (see 30:1–5; 5:8–20). The inverted relationships will be set right; only those deserving honor and power will receive it.

32:6 his mind does iniquity Isaiah criticizes the arrogance and injustice of the leaders (as in 5:8–20), the false prophecies (30:10), and the failure of leaders to provide for the less fortunate (1:16–17).

32:9 Women who are at ease The self-sufficiency of the rulers (30:1–5) and the false hope offered by some prophets (30:10) has lulled them into a sense of security (see Amos 6:1).

32:10 In a year The Assyrian invasion occurred in 701 bc.

the harvest will not come Either an invasion before harvest or a siege will prevent them from getting to the fields.

32:11 strip yourself Refers to actions of grief, distress, and mourning. The actions foreshadow the humiliation of invasion and exile, or may be outward signs of humility and repentance. Babylon receives a similar humiliation in Isa 47:2–3.

32:13 It goes up in thorns and briers The once lush and fertile agricultural land becomes abandoned and overgrown (see 7:23; 34:13).

32:14 the crowded city deserted Echoes the image of the wasted city in 24:10–11.

the joy of wild asses Nature overruns what was formerly a civilized, populous city (see 27:10; 34:11–15).

32:15 a spirit is poured out on us from on high Future reversal and restoration is enabled by an outpouring of God’s Spirit (see Joel 2:28).

the wilderness becomes a fruitful field The renewal of nature represents the restoration of the land and the return of God’s blessing (see note on Isa 29:17).

32:17 quietness and security forever This same effect was predicted in 30:15. The false ease and security of the women in v. 9 is replaced by genuine rest and security that comes from the righteousness of God.