Isaiah 10:33 kjv
Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
Isaiah 10:33 nkjv
Behold, the Lord, The LORD of hosts, Will lop off the bough with terror; Those of high stature will be hewn down, And the haughty will be humbled.
Isaiah 10:33 niv
See, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will lop off the boughs with great power. The lofty trees will be felled, the tall ones will be brought low.
Isaiah 10:33 esv
Behold, the Lord GOD of hosts will lop the boughs with terrifying power; the great in height will be hewn down, and the lofty will be brought low.
Isaiah 10:33 nlt
But look! The Lord, the LORD of Heaven's Armies,
will chop down the mighty tree of Assyria with great power!
He will cut down the proud.
That lofty tree will be brought down.
Isaiah 10 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 10:33 | Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror... | Divine judgment, destructive power |
| Jeremiah 49:27 | I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus... | Judgment on nations |
| Jeremiah 51:20 | Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war... | God using instruments of judgment |
| Ezekiel 26:3-4 | Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus... | Judgment on proud cities |
| Ezekiel 31:3-5 | Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon... | Imagery of fallen mighty powers |
| Daniel 2:35 | Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces... | God's ultimate kingdom destroys all others |
| Zechariah 11:1-3 | Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the nobles are {or, the stately trees are} spoiled; howl, O ye oaks of Bashan... | Lament for fallen power |
| Matthew 3:10 | And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees... | Divine judgment imminent |
| Matthew 7:19 | Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. | Consequences of unfruitfulness |
| Luke 3:9 | And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees... | John the Baptist’s prophecy |
| Revelation 14:15 | And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap... | Harvest of judgment |
| Revelation 14:19 | And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth... | Great winepress of God's wrath |
| Isaiah 10:24-25 | Forasmuch therefore as this people hath trodden under foot the reed... | God's protection of His remnant |
| Isaiah 14:24-27 | The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass... | God's ultimate plan and power |
| Psalm 73:18-19 | Surely thou didst set them in slippery places... | Downfall of the wicked |
| Psalm 37:1-2 | Fret not thyself because of evildoers... They shall soon cut down like the grass... | Transience of the wicked |
| Proverbs 10:7 | The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. | Lasting impact of righteousness vs. wickedness |
| Proverbs 10:24-25 | The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be given. | Wickedness brings ruin |
| Isaiah 14:12-15 | How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning... | Imagery of fallen pride |
| Jeremiah 50:17-18 | Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away... | Restoration and judgment |
| Nahum 1:5 | The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned up... | God's overwhelming power against enemies |
| Psalm 92:7 | When the wicked as the grass do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever... | Eternal destruction of the wicked |
Isaiah 10 verses
Isaiah 10 33 Meaning
This verse paints a powerful picture of God's sovereign judgment. It signifies the complete and decisive destruction of a powerful, intimidating entity, depicted here as a mighty army approaching Mount Zion. God’s declaration of readiness to strike, as if with an axe, implies an overwhelming and irreversible execution of His plan against His enemies.
Isaiah 10 33 Context
Isaiah chapter 10 describes God's impending judgment on the oppressive Assyrian empire, which had boasted in its strength and relied on its own power. The prophecy vividly depicts Assyria as a formidable force that would be humbled. This specific verse (10:33) acts as a dramatic climax in this section, illustrating the swift and complete overthrow of this powerful aggressor as they approach Jerusalem (Mount Zion). The imagery serves as both a warning to the proud and a reassurance to God's people that His power is supreme and His judgment is inevitable for those who defy Him.
Isaiah 10 33 Word Analysis
Heh (ה): Conjunction, often meaning "and" or "but." Here it links the preceding declaration of God's intent.
Reneh (ראה): "Behold" or "Look." A particle used to draw attention.
Adonay (אדני): "Lord." A personal name of God, conveying sovereignty and a covenant relationship.
Adonay (אדני): Repetition for emphasis and majesty, "Lord GOD."
Tzva'ot (צבאות): "Hosts" or "Armies." Refers to heavenly armies or all of creation under God's command, emphasizing His supreme power.
MaTaf (מתפ): "Will break off," "will lop off," or "will hew down." A strong verb signifying violent and decisive action.
TzaTzah (זרוע): "Arm" or "Bough." Here, it likely refers metaphorically to the powerful limbs or branches of a mighty tree, representing the strength and dominion of the Assyrian king or army.
MoRrah (מורא): "Terror," "fear," or "dread." Indicates the source of alarm or awe.
BaShuah (בשה): "Dread," "Terror," or "Shrinking." Refers to the state of being filled with terror.
GaaVaH (גאה): "Pride" or "Haughtiness." Describes the arrogant disposition of the oppressor.
MoGhed (מוגed): "Dreadful," "Awful," or "Terrifying." Adjective describing the "pride."
BaTeRof (בתרף): "Will cut asunder" or "will cleave." Another strong verb implying dismemberment or complete destruction.
Assyrian Leader as a Tree: The imagery of lopping off a "bough" or "arm" is consistent with metaphors in ancient Near Eastern literature, including biblical passages like Ezekiel 31, where proud empires or rulers are compared to majestic trees that are cut down when they exalt themselves against God.
Divine Action and Human Fear: The verse pairs God's powerful action ("lop the bough") with the emotional response of the enemy ("with terror"). This highlights that God’s judgment inspires dread and brings an end to arrogance.
Sovereignty over Armies: The repeated "Adonay Tzva'ot" underscores God's supreme authority over all powers, including the formidable armies that threaten His people.
Isaiah 10 33 Bonus Section
The description of the mighty Assyrian as a "bough" or "arm" that is "lopped" and "cut asunder" by the LORD of Hosts is a powerful metaphorical indictment of human arrogance. This imagery resonates with other passages in Isaiah (e.g., Isaiah 14:12-15 concerning the fall of Babylon, personified as Lucifer) and prophetic books like Ezekiel, which also employ tree metaphors to describe the downfall of proud nations and kings. The act of "lopping" with "terror" signifies not just destruction, but a violent, absolute removal, stripping away all perceived strength and glory. The juxtaposition of God's active, decisive judgment with the enemy's internal "terror" and "pride" highlights a central theme in biblical prophecy: the ultimate humbling of the proud and the vindication of the righteous through God's sovereign intervention.
Isaiah 10 33 Commentary
This verse succinctly encapsulates God’s ability to dismantle the mightiest of earthly powers. The Assyrian king, represented by a powerful bough or arm of a tree, is not just defeated but decisively severed. The "terror" associated with this action indicates the dread and finality of God’s judgment. This serves as a stark warning against pride and reliance on human strength, pointing to the ultimate sovereignty of God in executing His plans. For believers, it’s a promise of protection and vindication, a reassurance that no earthly power, however intimidating, can ultimately withstand the LORD of Hosts.