Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 33

Verse 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.

Verse 2

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

every morning: i.e. continually.

Verse 3

the people = peoples.

the nations = nations.

Verse 4

caterpiller = locusts.

Verse 6

is = that [is].

Verse 7

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

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

Verse 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

Verse 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 .

Verse 10

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

Verse 11

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

Verse 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.

Verse 13

ye: i.e. the heathen.

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

Verse 14

fearfulness = trembling. Hebrew. r e '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.

Verse 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.

Verse 17

the king. See Isaiah 33:22 .

far off = far stretching.

Verse 18

scribe. = the counter.

receiver = the weigher.

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

Verse 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.

Verse 20

Look = Gaze.

the city. Figure of speech Polyonymia.

solemnities = festal-days. Reference to Pentateuch, where the word frequently occurs (compare Leviticus 23:0 .Numbers 15:0 , &c).

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

Verse 21

gallant = mighty, or noble.

Verse 23

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

Verse 24

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