Isaiah 33

Isaiah 33:1

Woe. The fifth of the six Woes. The Structure, above, will make this section quite clear, and show that the verses are not “out of place”, or “disarranged”.

that spoilest = thou plunderer.

dealest treacherously = thou traitor.

Isaiah 33:2

arm. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for the strength and defense put forth by it.

every morning: i.e. continually.

Isaiah 33:3

the people = peoples.

the nations = nations.

Isaiah 33:4

caterpiller = locusts.

Isaiah 33:6

is = that [is].

Isaiah 33:7

Behold. Figure of speech. Asterismos. App-6.

the ambassadors. Note the Figure of speech. Asyndeton (App-6), inIsa 33:7-12.

Isaiah 33:8

highways. See note on Isaiah 7:3.

lie waste = are desolate. See note on Isaiah 1:7.

wayfaring man = he that walketh along the path. See note on “path”, Isaiah 2:3.

man = mortal. Hebrew. ’enosh. App-14

Isaiah 33:9

hewn down = withered.

shake off. Hebrew. na’ar. A rare word. Occurs twice in the “former” portion (here, and Isaiah 33:15), and once in the “latter” portion (Isaiah 52:2). App-79.

Isaiah 33:10

saith the LORD = may Jehovah say. See note on Isaiah 1:11.

Isaiah 33:11

breath, as fire = breath as a fire. Hebrew. ruach.

Isaiah 33:12

the people = peoples.

burnings of lime: i.e. fuel for limekilns.

thorns cut up. These are the common fuel used in limekilns in Palestine.

Isaiah 33:13

ye: i.e. the heathen.

what I have done: i.e. in the destruction of Sennacherib’s army.

Isaiah 33:14

fearfulness = trembling. Hebrew. re’adah. Only here in Isaiah; and elsewhere, only in Job 4:14. Psalms 2:11; Psalms 48:6.

surprised = seized.

Who . . . ? who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. The answer implied being the negative.

among = for.

Isaiah 33:15

He, &c. This is not the answer to Isaiah 33:14, but the subject of the Promise in Isaiah 33:16, “He. shall dwell on high”. Hence it is emphatic. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 10:17; Deuteronomy 16:19; Deuteronomy 27:25).

hearing of = listening to.

blood = murderers. Figure of speech Metalepsis (of Subject), by which “blood” is first put for bloodshedding, and, secondly, bloodshedding put for those who shed it.

Isaiah 33:17

the king. See Isaiah 33:22.

far off = far stretching.

Isaiah 33:18

scribe. = the counter.

receiver = the weigher.

he that counted, &c. Referring to Sennacherib’s besieging army.

Isaiah 33:19

fierce, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:49, Deuteronomy 28:50).

stammering = jabbering.

tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the language spoken by it.

Isaiah 33:20

Look = Gaze.

the city. Figure of speech Polyonymia.

solemnities = festal-days. Reference to Pentateuch, where the word frequently occurs (compare Leviticus 23. Numbers 15, &c).

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. ’ohel. App-40.

Isaiah 33:21

gallant = mighty, or noble.

Isaiah 33:23

the lame take the prey. Referring to the spoil taken from the dead of the Assyrian host. See 2 Kings 19:35.

Isaiah 33:24

forgiven their iniquity. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:21; Exodus 32:32. Numbers 14:19).