Isaiah 33:8
Isaiah 33:8 in Multiple Translations
The highways are deserted; travel has ceased. The treaty has been broken, the witnesses are despised, and human life is disregarded.
The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.
The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: the enemy hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth not man.
The highways are waste, no man is journeying there: the agreement is broken, he has made sport of the towns, he has no thought for man.
Your highways are deserted; nobody's traveling on your roads anymore. He breaks the treaty; he despises the witnesses; he doesn't care about anybody.
The pathes are waste: the wayfaring man ceaseth: hee hath broken the couenant: hee hath contemned the cities: he regarded no man.
Desolated have been highways, Ceased hath he who passeth along the path, He hath broken covenant, He hath despised enemies, He hath not esteemed a man.
The highways are desolate. The traveling man ceases. The covenant is broken. He has despised the cities. He doesn’t respect man.
The highways lie waste, the way-faring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.
The ways are made desolate, no one passeth by the road, the covenant is made void, he hath rejected the cities, he hath not regarded the men.
No one travels on our roads [DOU]. The leaders of Assyria have broken/disregarded their peace treaty with us; they despise the people who made those treaties, and they do not respect anyone.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 33:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 33:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נָשַׁ֣מּוּ
מְסִלּ֔וֹת
שָׁבַ֖ת
עֹבֵ֣ר
אֹ֑רַח
הֵפֵ֤ר
בְּרִית֙
מָאַ֣ס
עָרִ֔ים
לֹ֥א
חָשַׁ֖ב
אֱנֽוֹשׁ
נָשַׁ֣מּוּ
shâmêm
H8074
be desolate
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
מְסִלּ֔וֹת
mᵉçillâh
H4546
highway
N-fp
שָׁבַ֖ת
shâbath
H7673
to cease
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
עֹבֵ֣ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal
אֹ֑רַח
ʼôrach
H734
way
N-cs
הֵפֵ֤ר
pârar
H6565
to break
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
בְּרִית֙
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
N-fs
מָאַ֣ס
mâʼaç
H3988
to reject
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
עָרִ֔ים
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
חָשַׁ֖ב
châshab
H2803
to devise
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֱנֽוֹשׁ
ʼĕnôwsh
H582
human
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 33:8
נָשַׁ֣מּוּ
shâmêm
H8074
"be desolate"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
The word 'shamem' means to be desolate or devastated, like a place left empty and destroyed, often used to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.
Definition: : destroyed/deserted 1) to be desolate, be appalled, stun, stupefy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be desolated, be deflowered, be deserted, be appalled 1a2) to be appalled, be awestruck 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be desolated, be made desolate 1b2) to be appalled 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to be stunned 1c2) appalling, causing horror (participle) 1c2a) horror-causer, appaller (subst) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to devastate, ravage, make desolated 1d2) to appal, show horror 1e) (Hophal) to lay desolate, be desolated 1f) (Hithpolel) 1f1) to cause to be desolate 1f2) to be appalled, be astounded 1f3) to cause oneself desolation, cause oneself ruin
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. See also: Leviticus 26:22; Jeremiah 50:13; Psalms 40:16.
מְסִלּ֔וֹת
mᵉçillâh
H4546
"highway"
N-fp
This word means a raised highway or public road, like the ones built by King Solomon. It is used in books like Numbers and Isaiah to describe paths and roadways.
Definition: highway, raised way, public road
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: causeway, course, highway, path, terrace. See also: Numbers 20:19; Psalms 84:6; Proverbs 16:17.
שָׁבַ֖ת
shâbath
H7673
"to cease"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To keep the Sabbath means to rest and stop working, as commanded by God in the book of Exodus. This Hebrew word is used to describe the act of observing the Sabbath day, and is an important part of Jewish tradition and worship.
Definition: 1) to cease, desist, rest 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cease 1a2) to rest, desist (from labour) 1b) (Niphal) to cease 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to cease, put an end to 1c2) to exterminate, destroy 1c3) to cause to desist from 1c4) to remove 1c5) to cause to fail
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away. See also: Genesis 2:2; Isaiah 14:4; Psalms 8:3.
עֹבֵ֣ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
אֹ֑רַח
ʼôrach
H734
"way"
N-cs
A way or path, describing a road or journey, whether physical or metaphorical. This term is used to talk about travel, direction, and life's journey, often in wisdom literature and prophetic writings. It is found in books like Proverbs and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) way, path 1a) path, road 1b) the path, way, passing of life (fig.) 1c) way of living (fig.) 1d) traveller, wayfarer (meton) Aramaic equivalent: o.rach (אֹ֫רַח "way" H0735)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop, (by-, high-) way. See also: Genesis 18:11; Proverbs 1:19; Psalms 8:9.
הֵפֵ֤ר
pârar
H6565
"to break"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
To split or break something apart is the meaning of this word, often used figuratively to mean frustrate or violate. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to break, frustrate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to break, violate 1a2) to frustrate, make ineffectual 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be frustrated 1b2) to be broken 1b3) to break 1c) (Pilpel) to break to bits, shatter Also means: pur (פּוּר "to break" H6331)
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any ways, break (asunder), cast off, cause to cease, [idiom] clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint, dissolve, divide, make of none effect, fail, frustrate, bring (come) to nought, [idiom] utterly, make void. See also: Genesis 17:14; Psalms 85:5; Psalms 74:13.
בְּרִית֙
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
N-fs
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
מָאַ֣ס
mâʼaç
H3988
"to reject"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To spurn or reject something is what this Hebrew word means. In Genesis 37:35, it is used to describe how Jacob felt when his sons told him Joseph had died.
Definition: 1) to reject, despise, refuse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to reject, refuse 1a2) to despise 1b) (Niphal) to be rejected
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), melt away, refuse, reject, reprobate, [idiom] utterly, vile person. See also: Leviticus 26:15; Psalms 106:24; Psalms 15:4.
עָרִ֔ים
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
חָשַׁ֖ב
châshab
H2803
"to devise"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To devise means to think or plan something, often in a clever way. In the Bible, it can mean to plot or contrive, as seen in the story of David and Goliath.
Definition: : count/regard_as 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
Usage: Occurs in 122 OT verses. KJV: (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. See also: Genesis 15:6; Psalms 35:4; Psalms 10:2.
אֱנֽוֹשׁ
ʼĕnôwsh
H582
"human"
N-ms
Enosh refers to a human or mankind in general, used to describe individuals or people as a whole in the Bible.
Definition: 1) man, mortal man, person, mankind 1a) of an individual 1b) men (collective) 1c) man, mankind Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare H376 (אִישׁ). See also: Deuteronomy 32:26; Psalms 8:5; Psalms 9:20.
Study Notes — Isaiah 33:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 33:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 33:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 33:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 33:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 33:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 33:8
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 33:8
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 33:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 33:8
- Sermons on Isaiah 33:8
Context — The LORD Is Exalted
6He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.
7Behold, their valiant ones cry aloud in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly.
8The highways are deserted; travel has ceased. The treaty has been broken, the witnesses are despised, and human life is disregarded.
9The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is ashamed and decayed. Sharon is like a desert; Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves. 10“Now I will arise,” says the LORD. “Now I will lift Myself up. Now I will be exalted.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 5:6 | In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways. |
| 2 | Isaiah 35:8 | And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it— only those who walk in the Way— and fools will not stray onto it. |
| 3 | Lamentations 1:4 | The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are deserted; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she herself is bitter with anguish. |
| 4 | Luke 18:2–4 | “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men, |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 17:26 | David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” |
| 6 | Isaiah 10:13–14 | For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” |
| 7 | Psalms 10:5 | He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 17:10 | Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!” |
| 9 | 2 Kings 18:13–17 | In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold with which he had plated the doors and doorposts of the temple of the LORD, and he gave it to the king of Assyria. Nevertheless, the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh, along with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced up to Jerusalem and stationed themselves by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. |
| 10 | 2 Kings 18:20–21 | You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me? Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. |
Isaiah 33:8 Summary
Isaiah 33:8 paints a picture of a world in chaos, where travel stops, agreements are broken, and human life is not valued. This is a stark reminder of what happens when societies turn away from God and His principles, as seen in Romans 1:28-32. In contrast, God values every life, as seen in Genesis 1:27, and calls us to do the same. By fearing the LORD and holding to His truths, as mentioned in Isaiah 33:6, we can be a source of hope and light in dark times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the highways to be deserted in Isaiah 33:8?
This phrase suggests a time of great turmoil and disruption, where normal travel and commerce have come to a halt, much like the desolations described in Jeremiah 7:34 and Lamentations 1:4.
Why are the witnesses despised in this verse?
The witnesses being despised indicates a rejection of truth and authority, reflecting a broader societal decay, as also seen in Isaiah 59:14-15 where truth falls in the streets.
How does the disregard for human life in this verse relate to other biblical teachings?
The disregard for human life is a stark contrast to the value God places on every life, as taught in Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 139:13-14, emphasizing the sanctity of human life.
Is this verse speaking of a specific historical event or a future prophecy?
While Isaiah 33:8 can be applied to various historical situations, its language and context suggest it may also be looking forward to future times of judgment and desolation, akin to those described in Revelation 6:4 and Isaiah 24:1-23.
Reflection Questions
- How can I, as a believer, be a beacon of hope and truth in a world that seems to be rejecting both?
- In what ways can I value and uphold the sanctity of human life, as God does, in my daily interactions and decisions?
- What role does the fear of the LORD, mentioned in the preceding verse, Isaiah 33:6, play in maintaining a society's moral fabric and respect for life?
- How should the knowledge of God's ultimate exaltation, as stated in Isaiah 33:10, influence my response to times of turmoil and societal decay?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 33:8
The highways lie waste,.... No man walking in them, for fear of the enemy; "the ways of Zion", which are said to "mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts", Lamentations 1:4 none daring to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 33:8
Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee!
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 33:8
The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth, because the Assyrian soldiers possessed and filled the land. He hath broken the covenant; Sennacherib broke his faith, given to Hezekiah, of departing for a sum of money, ,17. He hath despised the cities; the defenced cities of Judah, which he contemned and easily took, . He regardeth no man; either to spare them, or to fear them, or to keep faith with them. He neither feareth God, nor reverenceth man.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 33:8
Isaiah 33:8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.Ver. 8. The highways lie waste.] And byways are more frequented, through fear of the enemy. He hath broken the covenant.] Irritum factum est pactum. He took the money sent him, but comes on nevertheless, though he had sworn the contrary. It is said of the Turks at this day, that they keep their leagues - which serve, indeed, but as snares to entangle other princes in - no longer than standeth with their own profit. Their maxim is, There is no faith to be kept with dogs, whereby they mean Christians, as the Papists also say, There is no faith to be kept with heretics, whereby they mean Protestants. But why kept not Uladislaus, King of Hungary, his faith better with Amurath, the great Turk? or our Henry III with his barons, by Papal dispensation? Vah scelus! vae periuris. He hath despised the cities.] And will not take them for his subjects. He scorneth the motion.
He regardeth no man.] He vilipends and slights all jewels generally. Turkish History, 755.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 33:8
(8) The highways lie waste . . .—Another feature in the picture of terror. No traveller dared to show himself in the main road. (Comp. Judges 5:6.) He hath broken.—Sennacherib is denounced as having broken the treaty of 2 Kings 18:14. Hezekiah had complied with his conditions, and yet there was no suspension of hostilities.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 33:8
8. The highways lie waste … ceaseth] cf. Judges 5:6. he hath broken the covenant] See on Isaiah 33:7. he hath despised the cities] For ‘ârîm (cities) Duhm proposes to read ‘çdîm (witnesses), i.e. the witnesses to the broken treaty. There might no doubt be an allusion to the capture of the fenced cities of Judah, 2 Kings 18:13.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 33:8
The highways lie waste - This verse contains a description of the desolations that had been caused by the invasion of Sennacherib.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 33:8
8, 9. The highways lie waste — In disregard of his covenant the enemy still would ravage the country, render impassable the usual highways, cut off travel, break up villages and cities, and show mercy to none.
Sermons on Isaiah 33:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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When Heaven Decides to Fight by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of unity and agreement among leaders in order to fight against the enemy. The gates, where policy is formed, were divided and |
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The Secret to Prayer by Jon Courson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising God and parading to His will. He references a story from the Bible where King Jehoshaphat and his people faced a g |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 35:8 - Part 2 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck encourages listeners to examine their hearts and lives in light of the Scriptures. He emphasizes the importance of forsaking worldly desires and living |
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God, as an Enemy by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the message shared by another preacher and highlights key points. He emphasizes the importance of teaching children the ways of the Lord and |
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The the Ministry of the Saints—dying to Self by Aaron Hurst | In this sermon, Brother Denny begins by expressing his desire for the listeners' lives to be blessed and changed by the message. He emphasizes that the sermon is not copyrighted an |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 31-35 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the future reign of Christ and the restoration of the world as God intended it. He emphasizes that the current state of suffering and physical |
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A Highway in the Desert by David Davis | This sermon emphasizes the miraculous work of the Lord in Times Square Church, highlighting the transformation and impact of the Word of God and the power of God in caring for the |