Isaiah 33:9
Isaiah 33:9 in Multiple Translations
The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is ashamed and decayed. Sharon is like a desert; Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.
The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.
The land mourneth and languisheth; Lebanon is confounded and withereth away; Sharon is like a desert; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.
The earth is sorrowing and wasting away; Lebanon is put to shame and has become waste; Sharon is like the Arabah; and in Bashan and Carmel the leaves are falling.
Israel is in mourning and fades away; Lebanon withers in shame; the fields of Sharon have become a desert; the forests of Bashan and Carmel have shed their leaves.
The earth mourneth and fainteth: Lebanon is ashamed, and hewen downe: Sharon is like a wildernes, and Bashan is shaken and Carmel.
Mourned, languished hath the land, Confounded hath been Lebanon, Withered hath been Sharon as a wilderness, And shaking are Bashan and Carmel.
The land mourns and languishes. Lebanon is confounded and withers away. Sharon is like a desert, and Bashan and Carmel are stripped bare.
The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits .
The land hath mourned, and languished: Libanus is confounded and become foul, and Saron is become as a desert: and Basan and Carmel are shaken.
The land of Judah is dry and barren. The cedar trees in Lebanon are drying up and decaying. The Sharon Plain along the coast is now a desert. There are no more leaves on the trees in the Bashan and Carmel areas.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 33:9
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 33:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָבַ֤ל
אֻמְלְלָה֙
אָ֔רֶץ
הֶחְפִּ֥יר
לְבָנ֖וֹן
קָמַ֑ל
הָיָ֤ה
הַ/שָּׁרוֹן֙
כָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
וְ/נֹעֵ֥ר
בָּשָׁ֖ן
וְ/כַרְמֶֽל
אָבַ֤ל
ʼâbal
H56
to mourn
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֻמְלְלָה֙
ʼâmal
H535
to weaken
V-K-Perf-3fs
אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
הֶחְפִּ֥יר
châphêr
H2659
be ashamed
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
לְבָנ֖וֹן
Lᵉbânôwn
H3844
Lebanon
N-proper
קָמַ֑ל
qâmal
H7060
to decay
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
הָיָ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
הַ/שָּׁרוֹן֙
Shârôwn
H8289
Sharon
Art | N-proper
כָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
plain
Prep | N-fs
וְ/נֹעֵ֥ר
nâʻar
H5287
to shake
Conj | V-Qal
בָּשָׁ֖ן
Bâshân
H1316
Bashan
N-proper
וְ/כַרְמֶֽל
Karmel
H3760
Carmel
Conj | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 33:9
אָבַ֤ל
ʼâbal
H56
"to mourn"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To mourn or lament, as seen in human and inanimate objects, like gates or land, and used in various forms in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to mourn, lament 1a) (Qal) to mourn, lament 1a1) of humans 1a2) of inanimate objects (fig.) 1a2a) of gates 1a2b) of land 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to mourn, cause to mourn (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to mourn 1c2) play the mourner
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: lament, mourn. See also: Genesis 37:34; Isaiah 33:9; Isaiah 3:26.
אֻמְלְלָה֙
ʼâmal
H535
"to weaken"
V-K-Perf-3fs
To weaken or be weak is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply being sick or mourning. In Psalm 6:2, David asks God to heal him, as his bones are weak. The term describes a state of physical or emotional exhaustion.
Definition: 1) to be weak, to droop, to languish, to be exhausted 1a) (Qal) pass participle (of the heart) 1a1) to be weak 1a2) to droop 1b) (Pulal) 1b1) to be or grow feeble 1b2) to languish
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: languish, be weak, wax feeble. See also: 1 Samuel 2:5; Jeremiah 15:9; Isaiah 16:8.
אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
הֶחְפִּ֥יר
châphêr
H2659
"be ashamed"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
Châphêr means to be ashamed or blush, often used to describe feeling embarrassed or guilty. In Ezra 9:6, the people are ashamed of their sins, recognizing their wrongdoing. It involves a sense of regret.
Definition: 1) to be ashamed, be confounded, be abashed, feel abashed 1a) (Qal) to be ashamed, be abashed 1b) (Hiphil) to display shame, demonstrate shame, cause embarrassment
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: be ashamed, be confounded, be brought to confusion (unto shame), come (be put to) shame, bring reproach. See also: Job 6:20; Proverbs 13:5; Psalms 34:6.
לְבָנ֖וֹן
Lᵉbânôwn
H3844
"Lebanon"
N-proper
Lebanon is a mountain range in Israel, named for its white snow or limestone peaks, often mentioned in Psalms and other books.
Definition: Combined with biq.ah (בִּקְעָה " Valley" H1237I) § Lebanon = "whiteness" a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: Lebanon. See also: Deuteronomy 1:7; Psalms 104:16; Psalms 29:5.
קָמַ֑ל
qâmal
H7060
"to decay"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word qâmal means to decay or wither away, like a plant that has dried up or a building that has crumbled. It is used in the Bible to describe something that has fallen into disrepair or has lost its vitality, often as a metaphor for spiritual decay. This word is used to convey a sense of loss or decline.
Definition: 1) to be decayed, be withered 1a) (Qal) to moulder, be withered
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: hew down, wither. See also: Isaiah 19:6; Isaiah 33:9.
הָיָ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הַ/שָּׁרוֹן֙
Shârôwn
H8289
"Sharon"
Art | N-proper
Sharon is a plain in Palestine, between mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.
Definition: This name means plain, level Sharon = "a plain" the district lying between the mountains of central Palestine and the Mediterranean Sea and north of Joppa
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Lasharon, Sharon. See also: Joshua 12:18; Song of Solomon 2:1; Isaiah 33:9.
כָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
"plain"
Prep | N-fs
The Arabah is a desert plain near the Jordan River, stretching to the Red Sea, and is often translated as wilderness or desert in the Bible. It is mentioned in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Definition: § desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also H1026 (בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה). See also: Numbers 22:1; 1 Samuel 23:24; Psalms 68:5.
וְ/נֹעֵ֥ר
nâʻar
H5287
"to shake"
Conj | V-Qal
To shake or tremble is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament. It can describe physical shaking, like an earthquake, or emotional turmoil. The prophet Isaiah used this word to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to shake, shake out or off 1a) (Qal) to shake out, show emptiness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be shaken 1b2) to shake oneself 1c) (Piel) to shake off or out 1d) (Hithpael) to shake oneself
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: shake (off, out, self), overthrow, toss up and down. See also: Exodus 14:27; Psalms 109:23; Psalms 136:15.
בָּשָׁ֖ן
Bâshân
H1316
"Bashan"
N-proper
Bashan was a fertile region east of the Jordan River, given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was known for its fruitfulness and is mentioned in the Bible as a significant area.
Definition: § Bashan = "fruitful" a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility which was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: Bashan. See also: Numbers 21:33; Joshua 21:27; Psalms 22:13.
וְ/כַרְמֶֽל
Karmel
H3760
"Carmel"
Conj | N-proper
Mount Carmel is a hill and town in northern Israel, described in the Bible as a fruitful and plentiful field, as seen in 1 Kings 18. The name means garden-land.
Definition: § Carmel = "garden-land" a mountain on the Mediterranean coast of northern Israel, just below Haifa
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: Carmel, fruitful (plentiful) field, (place). See also: Joshua 12:22; 2 Kings 2:25; Isaiah 33:9.
Study Notes — Isaiah 33:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 33:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 33:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 33:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 33:9
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 33:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
- Sermons on Isaiah 33:9
Context — The LORD Is Exalted
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. 11You conceive chaff; you give birth to stubble. Your breath is a fire that will consume you.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 35:2 | It will bloom profusely and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. |
| 2 | Nahum 1:4 | He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. |
| 3 | Isaiah 65:10 | Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for My people who seek Me. |
| 4 | Isaiah 3:26 | And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground. |
| 5 | Isaiah 24:19–20 | The earth is utterly broken apart, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken violently. The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again. |
| 6 | Zechariah 11:1–3 | Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may consume your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees are ruined! Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the dense forest has been cut down! Listen to the wailing of the shepherds, for their glory is in ruins. Listen to the roaring of the young lions, for the thickets of the Jordan are destroyed. |
| 7 | Song of Solomon 2:1 | I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley. |
| 8 | Isaiah 24:1 | Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants— |
| 9 | Isaiah 2:13 | against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan, |
| 10 | Micah 7:14 | Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. |
Isaiah 33:9 Summary
Isaiah 33:9 describes a scene of devastation and desolation, where the land is mourning and languishing due to sin and judgment, similar to the warnings in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. The once-proud and beautiful regions of Lebanon, Sharon, and Carmel are now ashamed, decayed, and barren, much like the desolation described in Isaiah 34:10-15. This verse reminds us that sin has serious consequences, but also points us to the hope of God's redemption and restoration, as seen in Isaiah 35:1-10 and Romans 8:18-25. As believers, we can learn from this verse to humble ourselves and recognize our dependence on God, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:6 and James 4:10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the land to mourn and languish in Isaiah 33:9?
The land mourning and languishing is a metaphor for the devastating effects of sin and judgment, as seen in other passages like Jeremiah 23:10 and Hosea 4:3, where the land is described as withering away due to the wickedness of its inhabitants.
Why is Lebanon ashamed and decayed in this verse?
Lebanon's shame and decay are likely due to its pride and idolatry, as mentioned in Isaiah 2:13, where the cedars of Lebanon are said to be brought low by God's judgment, similar to the pride and fall of Babylon in Isaiah 13:19.
What is the significance of Sharon being like a desert in Isaiah 33:9?
Sharon, once a fertile and beautiful region, is now compared to a desert, indicating the severe consequences of sin and God's judgment, much like the desolation described in Isaiah 34:10-15, where the land is left uninhabited and wild animals roam freely.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse serves as a description of the devastating effects of God's judgment, which is further emphasized in the following verses, such as Isaiah 33:10-11, where God declares His intention to arise and be exalted, and the wicked are warned of their impending destruction, similar to the warnings in Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which our own 'land' - our hearts and lives - may be mourning and languishing due to sin and neglect, as warned in Proverbs 28:13 and Jeremiah 3:25?
- How can we, like the people of Israel, become so focused on our own strength and pride that we forget our dependence on God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:12 and 2 Chronicles 26:16?
- What are some 'Lebanons' in our lives - areas where we may be proud or self-sufficient - that need to be humbled and brought low, as seen in James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:6?
- In what ways can we, as believers, be a source of hope and refreshment in a world that is often like a desert, as described in Isaiah 58:11 and Matthew 5:16?
- How can we apply the lessons of Isaiah 33:9 to our own lives, recognizing the devastating effects of sin and the importance of humility and dependence on God, as seen in Psalm 51:17 and Micah 6:8?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 33:9
The earth mourneth [and] languisheth,.... All Christendom, being now under the power, dominion, and tyranny of antichrist, and the church's faithful witnesses slain, and a stop put to all Gospel
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 33:9
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 33:9
The earth mourneth, being desolate and neglected. Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down by the Assyrians. Or, as the word signifies, and is here rendered by others, withereth or languisheth, because its trees are not now used by the Jews for their buildings, as they have been; and because they are spoiled and destroyed by the Assyrians. Sharon; a pleasant and fruitful place, as appears from . Bashan and Carmel; two places eminent for fertility, and especially for good pastures, , which are here synecdochically put for all such places. Shake off their fruits; are spoiled of their fruits. Or, as it is rendered by some others, yell or roar, as this word is rendered .
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
Isaiah 33:9 The earth mourneth [and] languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed [and] hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off [their fruits].Ver. 9. The earth mourneth and languisheth.] Or the land luget et languet. Thus they go on in their doleful relation: Miserrima sunt omnia, atque miseranda. What sad work hath Antichrist made of late years in the Christian world? what desolations in all parts? Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down, Sharon is like a wilderness.] East, west, north, and south of the land are laid waste by the enemy and the avenger, that "boar out of the wood," that "bear out of the forest." Metaphora Prosopopoetica.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
(9) The earth mourneth . . .—Lebanon, with its cedars, the Sharon (as we say, the Campagna), Bashan, with its oaks (Isaiah 2:13), Carmel, with its copse-wood, are the types of beauty and fertility, now languishing and decaying. Possibly the embassy referred to was sent in the autumn, so that the prophet saw in the natural features of that season the symbols of failure and decay.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
Verse 9. Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits - "Bashan and Carmel are stripped of their beauty."] Φανεραεσται, made manifest. Sept. They read ונערה veneerah.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 33:9
9. The earth mourneth and languisheth] (cf. ch. Isaiah 24:4; Isaiah 24:7) in sympathy with the distress of God’s people. It is the language of poetry. The “earth” is neither the whole world, nor merely the land of Palestine; its equivalent in modern parlance might be “Nature.” The spots mentioned are those famous for their luxuriant vegetation, and the standing types of natural beauty and perennial verdure (cf. ch. Isaiah 35:2; Zechariah 11:2; Son 7:4 f.). Instead of hewn down render with R.V. withereth away. The verb “shake off” requires an object to be supplied, but “their leaves” (as in R.V.) is decidedly better than “their fruits.”
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 33:9
The earth mourneth - The land through which he has passed. For the sense of this phrase, see the note at Isaiah 24:4. Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down - For the situation of Lebanon, see the note at Isaiah 10:34.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 33:9
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 33:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ai - Spiritual Warfare by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Joshua and the battle of A.I. after the victory at Jericho. Joshua sends spies to scout out A.I., a smaller city, and they repor |
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Spiritual Rest and Fullness by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly to experience spiritual rest and fullness. He contrasts the abundance found in God's presence with the empti |
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At the End of Time - Part 2 by Derek Prince | This sermon delves into the concept of enduring through hardships as a form of training from God, emphasizing the need for courage and perseverance in spreading the gospel despite |
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Of the Conflagration of the Universe. by John Gill | John Gill preaches on the universal conflagration of the universe, emphasizing the literal interpretation of biblical prophecies regarding the end times, particularly the burning o |
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(Through the Bible) Zechariah 11-12 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the protection and victory that God provided to Israel during the 1973 war. Despite being outnumbered and facing opposition from the entire wo |
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Studies in Zechariah 10 Zechariah 11: by John W. Bramhall | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the judgment of God upon Israel due to their disobedience. The speaker emphasizes that God protected his people and directed his favor towards |
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I Am the Rose of Sharon by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the unparalleled beauty of Jesus Christ, referring to Him as the 'rose of Sharon,' which signifies His supreme loveliness and spiritual richness compared t |