Who is the man mentioned in Isaiah 32:2?                                                 By Jack Kettler   “And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”  (Isaiah 32:2)   Who is this man the prophet references? Why do some translations not even mention this man?   For example:   Many translations render the passage this way, “Each one will be like a shelter…”   The reason some translations do not mention the man in Isaiah 32:2 is that the text of the original Hebrew is somewhat ambiguous. As s result, the phrase used to refer to this man can be interpreted in multiple ways. Some translations consider the phrase to be a metaphor, referring to a potential leader, while others interpret it as a literal reference to a specific man.   From Strong's Lexicon:   “Each אִ֥ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular” “Strong's Hebrew 376: 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)”   Why is there ambiguity about whom the man is mentioned in Isaiah 32:2? Isaiah 32:1 says, “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.” Commentators see that it is King Hezekiah in this passage. Therefore, it would seem natural to see that the man in verse 32 is also King Hezekiah.   Barnes' Notes on the Bible sees verses 1 and 2 as speaking of the same person, namely, Hezekiah:   “And a man - That is, evidently, the man referred to in the previous verse, to wit, Hezekiah.” “Shall be as an hiding-place from the wind - A place where one may take refuge from a violent wind and tempest (see the note at Isaiah 25:4).” (1)   Barnes is on solid ground contextually to see both passages referring to Hezekiah.   In contrast, the Pulpit Commentary says:   “Verse 2. - A man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind, etc. Modern critics mostly render, “each man” - i.e. the king, and each of his princes. But it is, to say the least, allowable - with Vitringa and Kay - to regard the word as referring to the king only (comp. Zechariah 6:12, where ish, a man, is used in the same vague way of One who is clearly the Messiah). There was never but one man who could be to other men all that is predicated in this verse of the “man” mentioned (comp. Isaiah 25:4, where nearly the same epithets are predicated of God). A covert; i.e. a protection against Divine wrath. Such is Messiah in his mediatorial character. Rivers of water; i.e. refreshing and invigorating (comp. Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14; John 7:37). The shadow of a great rook. At once refreshing and protecting (see Isaiah 25:4). Isaiah 32:2.” (2)   MacLaren's Expositions concur with the Pulpit Commentary:   Isaiah - THE HIDING - PLACE - Isaiah 32:2.   “And I, for my part, have no hesitation in saying that the only reference of these words which gives full value to their wealth of blessing, is to regard them as a prophecy of the man-Christ Jesus; hiding in whom we are safe, ‘coming’ to whom we ‘never thirst,’ guarded and blest by whom no weariness can befall us, and dwelling in whom this weary world shall be full of refreshment and peace!” (3)   The choice between Hezekiah and Christ is not contradictory in Isaiah 32:2. Granting that Isaiah 32:2 is referencing Hezekiah, can the text still point forward in history to Christ, thus, making Hezekiah be a type of Christ?     Yes, Isaiah 32:2 can still point forward in history to Christ while referencing Hezekiah. The passage speaks of a man who will lead with justice and righteousness, just as Jesus did. Some can see Hezekiah's humble and faithful leadership as a type of the way that Christ leads us.   In closing:   From J. C. Philpot's Daily Portions May 16:   “And a MAN shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.” (Isaiah 32:2)   “Who is this man? Need I ask the question? Is there not a response in every God-fearing breast? It is the man Christ Jesus--the man who is God’s fellow. How blessed it is to have a scriptural and spiritual view of the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ, to see him not merely as God, truly essential God, one in essence, glory, and power with the Father and the blessed Spirit, but also man, made in all things like unto us, sin only excepted.” “And what a suitability there is in the humanity of the Lord Jesus, when we view it in union with this glorious Deity! As man he suffered, as man he bled, as man he died, as man he stands a Mediator for his fellow men between God and man; as man, he has an affectionate, compassionate, sympathizing heart for human distress; as man, he obeyed the law in every particular; as man, he bore all the sufferings of humanity, and thus became the Brother born for adversity, flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone; yet perfectly pure, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and now exalted higher than the heavens.” “But what beauty, grace, glory, and suitability do we see in the man Christ Jesus, until he is revealed to the soul by the blessed Spirit? None! It is the Spirit who takes the humanity of Christ Jesus and shows it to the eye of faith. And this humanity he shows not as mere humanity, but as in union with, though distinct from, his eternal Deity. O this blessed man! -- this man of sorrows; this suffering, agonizing, crucified man. View him on the cross, bleeding for your sins; and then lift up your eyes and see him as the same man at the right hand of God. This was Stephen’s dying sight just before he passed into his presence--Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56).”   “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)   Notes:   1.      Albert Barnes, THE AGES DIGITAL LIBRARYCOMMENTARY, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Isaiah, Vol. 7 p. 766. 2.      H. D. M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell, The Pulpit Commentary, Isaiah, Vol. 10., (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eerdmans Publishing Company reprint 1978), p. 522. 3.      MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Isaiah, Study Light .org   Mr. Kettler has previously published articles in the Chalcedon Report and Contra Mundum. He and his wife, Marea, attend the Westminster, CO, RPCNA Church. Mr. Kettler is the author of 15 books defending the Reformed Faith. Books can be ordered online at Amazon.