The Meaning of Isaiah 33:16 Explained

Isaiah 33:16

KJV: He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

YLT: He high places doth inhabit, Strongholds of rock are his high tower, His bread hath been given, his waters stedfast.

Darby: he shall dwell on high, the fortresses of the rocks shall be his high retreat; bread shall be given him, his water shall be sure.

ASV: He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; his bread shall be given him ; his waters shall be sure.

Discover Isaiah 33:16

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Isaiah 33:16?

MEANING: What does Isaiah 33:16 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Isaiah 33:16 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Isaiah 33:16?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He shall dwell  on high:  his place of defence  [shall be] the munitions  of rocks:  bread  shall be given  him; his waters  [shall be] sure. 

What does Isaiah 33:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Such a righteous person will dwell with God, who dwells on the high places ( Isaiah 33:5). He will be safe from attacks by enemies since God is his refuge. And God will provide for his needs (cf. Matthew 6:33). In other words, he will enjoy God"s fellowship, protection, and provision (cf. Psalm 15; Psalm 24:3-6).
"This is the picture of a man who has no need to be alarmed at the judgment of God upon Asshur." [1]

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 33:16 mean?

He on high will dwell [will be] the fortress of rocks His [place] of defense His Bread will be given him water [will be] sure
ה֚וּא מְרוֹמִ֣ים יִשְׁכֹּ֔ן מְצָד֥וֹת סְלָעִ֖ים מִשְׂגַּבּ֑וֹ לַחְמ֣וֹ נִתָּ֔ן מֵימָ֖יו נֶאֱמָנִֽים

מְרוֹמִ֣ים  on  high 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מָרֹום  
Sense: height.
יִשְׁכֹּ֔ן  will  dwell 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁכַן  
Sense: to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside.
מְצָד֥וֹת  [will  be]  the  fortress 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: מְצָד  
Sense: fort, stronghold, fastness.
סְלָעִ֖ים  of  rocks 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: סֶלַע  
Sense: crag, cliff, rock.
מִשְׂגַּבּ֑וֹ  His  [place]  of  defense 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מִשְׂגָּב 
Sense: high place, refuge, secure height, retreat.
לַחְמ֣וֹ  His  Bread 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: לֶחֶם  
Sense: bread, food, grain.
נִתָּ֔ן  will  be  given  him 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
מֵימָ֖יו  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
נֶאֱמָנִֽים  [will  be]  sure 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: אָמַן 
Sense: to support, confirm, be faithful.

What are the major concepts related to Isaiah 33:16?

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