Isaiah 33 1

Isaiah 33:1 kjv

Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

Isaiah 33:1 nkjv

Woe to you who plunder, though you have not been plundered; And you who deal treacherously, though they have not dealt treacherously with you! When you cease plundering, You will be plundered; When you make an end of dealing treacherously, They will deal treacherously with you.

Isaiah 33:1 niv

Woe to you, destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, betrayer, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.

Isaiah 33:1 esv

Ah, you destroyer, who yourself have not been destroyed, you traitor, whom none has betrayed! When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed; and when you have finished betraying, they will betray you.

Isaiah 33:1 nlt

What sorrow awaits you Assyrians, who have destroyed others
but have never been destroyed yourselves.
You betray others,
but you have never been betrayed.
When you are done destroying,
you will be destroyed.
When you are done betraying,
you will be betrayed.

Isaiah 33 verses

Isaiah 33 1 Meaning

This verse introduces a pronouncement of judgment against those who exploit and plunder others. It declares woe upon those who act as spoilers, stating that they themselves will be plundered. The judgment is a consequence of their destructive and greedy actions.

Isaiah 33 1 Context

Chapter 33 of Isaiah begins with a powerful denunciation of the Assyrian empire and its cruel king. This particular verse is part of that larger prophetic oracle. Historically, it was a time when Assyria, a major world power, was known for its brutal military campaigns and oppressive tactics against conquered nations. The audience of Isaiah would have understood the terror and devastation caused by such empires. This verse speaks directly to the invaders, labeling them as destroyers who are themselves marked for destruction. It sets the stage for God's ultimate intervention and vindication of His people.

Isaiah 33 1 Word analysis

• Woe (הוֹי - hoy): An interjection expressing grief, lamentation, or a warning of impending disaster. It is a strong declaration of divine displeasure.

• to you (אַתָּה - atah): Refers directly to the antagonist.

• O destroyer (בֹּזֵ֑ז - bozez): This Hebrew word signifies someone who plunders, spoils, or pillages. It directly describes the oppressive actions of the enemy.

• doomed (בִּזֹּ֖תָה - bizztah): This form relates to the verb "to plunder" or "to spoil." Here, it implies being destined for or subjected to being plundered, a consequence of one's own actions.

• not to be destroyed (לֹ֣א יִבָּזֵ֑֯מָּ֫ה - lo yibbaźzūmmah): The negative particle "lo" combined with the passive verb "yibbaźzūmmah" (from the root bazaz, meaning to plunder/spoil) indicates that the subject (the destroyer) will not be plundered or spoiled. This phrasing creates a powerful paradox: the one who plunders will not be plundered. However, it is generally understood in this context as ironic or to emphasize that the plunderer is indeed slated to be plundered. Some interpret this phrase to mean that their spoiling will not go unchecked; they themselves will be the recipients of the spoilage. A more nuanced reading suggests they will be stripped of their ill-gotten gains.

• you who have not been pillaged (כִּ֣י בִזּ֔וֹ – ki bizzo): This phrase begins with "ki" (for, because, when) and continues with "bizzo" (pillaged, spoiled). The full sense implies that the reason for the woe is the opposite of what one might expect: the destroyer, who has not yet been pillaged themselves, will eventually be pillaged. This emphasizes the ironic turn of divine justice.

• Groups of words:

  • "Woe to you, O destroyer, doomed not to be destroyed" (הוֹי־אַתָּ֣ה בֹזֵ֑ז בִּזֹּ֖תָה לֹ֣א יִבָּזֵ֑֯מָּ֫ה - hoy-ʻattāh bōzez, bizzōtāh lō' yibbāźzūmmah): This is a powerful chiastic structure that highlights the divine retribution. The one who destroys and expects immunity from being destroyed will themselves face destruction. It's a principle of poetic justice.
  • "because you have not pillaged" (כִּ֣י בִזּ֔וֹ – ki bizzo): This part, connected to the previous phrase, clarifies the cause or the context of the judgment. It implies that their immunity from being pillaged thus far will not last; they will become the spoiled because of their own spoiling actions.

Isaiah 33 1 Bonus Section

This verse encapsulates a core theme in prophetic literature: the judgment of oppressors and the ultimate vindication of God's people. The concept of "poetic justice" or "what goes around comes around" is deeply rooted in biblical thought. The Assyrians, in their conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel and their threat to Judah, embodied this oppressive force. Later, the Babylonian Empire would become the next great spoiler. The New Testament echoes this theme, for instance, in Jesus' teachings on judgment and mercy, and in the pronouncements of divine retribution in Revelation. The fulfillment of this specific prophecy for Assyria would come through the Babylonians, and ultimately through God’s direct intervention.

Isaiah 33 1 Commentary

This verse pronounces a judgment that is both immediate and ultimate. Isaiah uses a strong, impactful "Woe!" to grab the audience's attention and convey the gravity of the divine declaration. The "destroyer" refers to the oppressive forces, specifically the Assyrians in their historical context, but it's a pattern that repeats throughout history and human behavior. The core principle is the divine law of retribution – those who despoil and cause ruin will themselves face despoilment and ruin. It highlights the paradox that those who operate with impunity, who think they are beyond judgment ("not to be destroyed"), are precisely the ones God will bring to justice. This is not a cancellation of their plundering but an ironic twist of fate ordained by God. It's a reassurance that God sees injustice and will eventually rectify it, turning the tables on the oppressors.

• The judgment is personal and specific ("Woe to you").
• The character of the enemy is clearly defined: they are spoilers.
• The divine action is one of reversal: spoilers will be spoiled.
• This serves as a warning against injustice and a comfort to the oppressed.