The Meaning of Isaiah 33:22 Explained

Isaiah 33:22

KJV: For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

YLT: For Jehovah our judge, Jehovah our lawgiver, Jehovah our king -- He doth save us.

Darby: For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah, our lawgiver, Jehovah, our king: he will save us.

ASV: For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver, Jehovah is our king; he will save us.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For the LORD  [is] our judge,  the LORD  [is] our lawgiver,  the LORD  [is] our king;  he will save  us. 

What does Isaiah 33:22 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Messiah will be the Judge (leader and governor), lawgiver (legislator and chief), and (permanent) ruler of His people. He will be the head of all branches of government-judicial, legislative, and executive. He will provide deliverance in every situation.
This verse, which is a climax to chapters28-33 , was the basis for the Mayflower Compact, the covenant that the Pilgrims made when they left England for America in A.D1620. It was also the basis for the government of the United States, which had its roots in the Mayflower Compact.

Context Summary

Isaiah 33:13-24 - The Reward Of The Righteous
The devouring fire and everlasting burnings of Isaiah 33:14 are clearly the emblems of the divine presence. The righteous dwell in God as the bush which was baptized in the Shekinah-glory and was not consumed. The fire of His holy presence makes them holy at the same time that it protects them from their enemies. Compare with Psalms 15:1-5. They are characterized by their walk, speech, the closed fist, the stopped ears, and the shut eyes. They dwell in heights which are inaccessible to the foe, and no oppressor can cut off their supplies of hidden manna or water of life. Hezekiah, Isaiah predicts in Isaiah 33:17, would soon put off his sackcloth, and the citizens would cease to be penned up in a beleaguered city. They should recall the terror of that hour as a bad dream, recalled to be dismissed and forgotten. Zion had no river, but God would be all that a river was to other cities, without the disadvantages of navigable water which might serve for the passage of a hostile fleet. Be sure to make God your judge, lawgiver, and king. Then, notwithstanding that you limp in weakness, you shall gather your share in the great spoils of victory. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 33

1  God's judgments against the enemies of the church
13  The consternation of sinners, and privileges of the godly

What do the individual words in Isaiah 33:22 mean?

For Yahweh [is] our Judge Yahweh [is] our Lawgiver our King He will save us
כִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ שֹׁפְטֵ֔נוּ יְהוָ֖ה מְחֹקְקֵ֑נוּ מַלְכֵּ֖נוּ ה֥וּא יוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ

יְהוָה֙  Yahweh  [is] 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
שֹׁפְטֵ֔נוּ  our  Judge 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: שָׁפַט  
Sense: to judge, govern, vindicate, punish.
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh  [is] 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
מְחֹקְקֵ֑נוּ  our  Lawgiver 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: חָקַק  
Sense: to cut out, decree, inscribe, set, engrave, portray, govern.
מַלְכֵּ֖נוּ  our  King 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
יוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ  will  save  us 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, first person common plural
Root: יָשַׁע 
Sense: to save, be saved, be delivered.