The ideal leadership of the Messianic king is defined by moral and spiritual qualities that go far beyond abstract ideas. Instead of being external traits, these qualities form an inseparable part of his very essence and serve as his royal garments [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The imagery used to describe this compares justice and faith to a belt fastened tightly around the waist [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Commentators offer different ways to understand this comparison. One approach highlights strength and readiness. Just as a person tightens a belt to prepare and brace their body for physical action, justice and faith serve as the core source of the leader's power. These values support him and keep him from stumbling [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective focuses on connection and permanence. Much like a belt remains securely wrapped around the body, justice and faith are permanently attached to the leader. They will never depart from him, guiding his every action [אבן עזרא, שד״ל, מלבי״ם]. Taking a different angle, some explain that this imagery does not refer to the leader's personal traits at all, but rather to the people around him. In this view, righteous individuals will surround the king, clinging closely to him just as a belt wraps around the waist [רש״י].
The structure of this description also draws attention. While some understand the imagery of justice and faith as a repetition expressing the exact same idea in two different ways [רד״ק, מצודת ציון], a deeper conceptual difference can be found between the two. Justice represents how a person interacts with others. Therefore, it is compared to an outer belt worn over one's clothing, visible for everyone to see. Faith, however, represents the personal relationship between a person and God. It is compared to an inner belt worn beneath the garments, kept completely hidden from view. This distinction teaches that while social justice must be publicly clear and visible, true faith remains private and concealed. For a complete believer, the hidden, internal devotion of the heart must always be stronger and greater than what is displayed to the public [מלבי״ם].