Commentary for Isaiah 11:3

And he shall be animated by the fear of the Lord He shall be filled with the fear of the Lord. [ed enos mera il luy in O.F., and He shall be enlivened.]

והריחו And his enquiry.⁵A.V. And shall make him of quick understanding.—I. E. derives והריחו from הריח, to smell, and explains why this verb has been chosen to signify to enquire, or to investigate properly. The ear is sometimes deceived in hearing sounds, which are only imaginary; the eye, too, sees things in motion, which in reality are at rest; the sense of smell alone is not deceived. He will properly investigate the question before him by his piety; he will not judge according to what he seems to see or to hear, because the testimony of the witnesses⁶The witnesses, is either to be taken literally and referred to to hear alone, or figuratively signifying the eye, and the ear, and referred to both to see, and to hear. might be false.

and neither with the sight of his eyes shall he judge For, with the wisdom of the Holy One, blessed be He, which is within him, will he know and understand who is innocent and who is guilty.

The rebuking and judging mentioned in this verse are privileges of royalty.