Isaiah 33 15

Isaiah 33:15 kjv

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

Isaiah 33:15 nkjv

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:

Isaiah 33:15 niv

Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil?

Isaiah 33:15 esv

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil,

Isaiah 33:15 nlt

Those who are honest and fair,
who refuse to profit by fraud,
who stay far away from bribes,
who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong ?

Isaiah 33 verses

Isaiah 33 15 meaning

Isaiah 33:15 describes the moral character of a righteous individual who can "dwell with devouring fire" (verse 14), signifying a person able to stand in God's holy presence and escape His judgment. The verse delineates a comprehensive picture of integrity, detailing specific actions and inactions that define true righteousness. It emphasizes walking righteously in deeds, speaking truth, actively rejecting all forms of unjust gain like extortion and bribes, and conscientiously guarding one's senses (ears and eyes) from being corrupted by or participating in evil, specifically violent and wicked schemes. This individual embodies practical holiness, both externally in behavior and internally in thought, showing a sustained and active commitment to God's standards.

Isaiah 33 15 Context

Isaiah chapter 33 opens with a declaration of woe against Assyria, depicting the devastation caused by the foreign oppressor and Judah's desperate situation. However, the tone shifts quickly to fervent prayer for divine intervention and confidence in God's coming salvation. The Lord promises to rise up, executing judgment on His enemies and bringing peace and security to His people (vv. 1-13). Following this, a crucial question arises in verse 14, concerning the terrifying nature of God's coming judgment: "Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?" This vivid imagery of divine wrath sets the stage for verse 15, which immediately provides the answer. The verses immediately after verse 15 (vv. 16-24) go on to describe the security, blessings, and future glory that await this righteous individual in Jerusalem, providing further assurance that living according to the standards of verse 15 leads to enduring peace and proximity to God. Thus, verse 15 defines the specific moral and ethical qualities required to withstand God's judgment and experience His favor.

Isaiah 33 15 Word analysis

• He who walks righteously:
  • He who walks (הֹלֵךְ, holek): A participial form, denoting a continuous action or a characteristic way of life. It implies more than an occasional act; it's a habitual direction of one's conduct and entire being.
  • righteously (צְדָקוֹת, tsedakot): The plural form of tsedaqah (righteousness). This intensification implies multiple righteous acts or a comprehensive, full-spectrum righteousness across all areas of life, encompassing justice, equity, and moral integrity. It points to deeds and actions aligned with divine law and ethical standards.
• and speaks what is right:
  • and speaks (וְדֹבֵר, vedover): Continuing the participial form, signifying consistent speech.
  • what is right (מֵשָׁרִים, mesharim): Lit. "straight things," "uprightness," "equity," "truth." Refers to honest, truthful, and just communication. It's about speaking words that are aligned with reality, fairness, and God's standards, avoiding deceit, flattery, or misleading statements.
• who rejects gain from extortion:
  • who rejects (מֹאֵס, mo'es): A strong verb meaning "to despise," "to spurn," "to loathe," "to abhor." This isn't passive avoidance but an active, internal repugnance for dishonest acquisition.
  • gain (בֶּצַע, betza): Refers to profit, advantage, or gain, often specifically associated with dishonest or unlawful means.
  • from extortion (מַעֲשַׁקִּים, ma'ashakkim): Plural form, denoting oppressive practices, unjust taking, or ill-gotten gains derived from fraud or oppression. This includes exploitation of the vulnerable.
• and shakes his hands free of bribes:
  • and shakes (נֹעֵר, no'er): Means "to shake off," "to wipe clean," "to cast off." It denotes a vigorous, deliberate, and public act of rejecting contamination.
  • his hands (כַּפָּיו, kappav): Symbolizes the means by which one grasps or accepts things, referring to physical action and involvement. Shaking them clean suggests a total refusal to even touch or hold a bribe.
  • free of bribes (מִתְּמֹךְ בַּשֹּׁחַד, mitmokh bashochad): Literally, "from taking hold of a bribe." This illustrates a person who actively detaches himself from any association with corrupt financial incentives. A bribe was a common form of corruption in the ancient Near East, subverting justice and equity.
• who stops his ears against plots of murder:
  • who stops (אֹטֵם, otem): Meaning "to close," "to block," "to plug up." This indicates a deliberate, intentional action to prevent evil input.
  • his ears (אָזְנוֹ, ozno): The sense organ for hearing. This person consciously refuses to listen to discussions, plans, or even hints about violent schemes.
  • against plots of murder (מִשְׁמֹעַ דָּמִים, mishmo'a damim): Lit. "from hearing of bloodsheds." The plural damim (bloodsheds) often refers to violent acts, murderous intentions, or plots leading to death. The righteous person actively blocks out evil counsel or instigation to violence.
• and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil—
  • and shuts (וְעֹצֵם, ve'otsem): Similar to "stops," it means "to close tightly." It's an active measure to block out visual input.
  • his eyes (עֵינָיו, einav): The sense organ for seeing.
  • against contemplating evil (מֵרְאוֹת בְּרָע, mire'ot bera): Lit. "from seeing evil." This goes beyond merely not committing evil. It implies an intentional refusal to observe, entertain, or mentally dwell upon wickedness. This safeguards the heart and mind from corruption, preventing the inward inclination towards sin.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He who walks righteously and speaks what is right": These two phrases establish the foundation of outward conduct and verbal communication. They represent active, consistent alignment of one's daily life and spoken words with God's moral law. It signifies that genuine righteousness is demonstrated in both what one does and what one says, establishing credibility and integrity.
• "who rejects gain from extortion and shakes his hands free of bribes": These two clauses focus on financial and economic ethics. They demonstrate a strong, principled opposition to corruption in the public square and in personal dealings. The righteous individual not only avoids dishonest gain but actively and visibly repels it, emphasizing an uncompromised commitment to fair and just financial practices.
• "who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil": These final two phrases address internal purity and sensory discipline. They illustrate that true righteousness extends to the safeguarding of one's inner world, consciously preventing evil—whether violence, wicked ideas, or tempting sights—from entering and polluting the mind. This underscores a proactive vigilance over one's thoughts and influences, acknowledging that outward actions often begin with internal engagement.

Isaiah 33 15 Bonus section

The concept presented in Isaiah 33:15, particularly the comprehensive guarding of senses and internal thoughts, significantly influenced later wisdom literature and rabbinic teachings, emphasizing a deep-seated spiritual discipline. It is a foundational text for understanding the Old Testament's ethical requirements beyond mere ritual. The five characteristics listed are sometimes seen as antitheses to common societal sins of Isaiah's time: perverted justice, dishonest gain, and violence. The Hebrew prophetic tradition often confronted these exact societal corruptions. This verse thus stands as a timeless challenge, echoing through history as a blueprint for genuine holiness that pleases God and offers a safe refuge even amidst overwhelming judgment. The full realization of this perfect character is ultimately seen in the person of Jesus Christ, who perfectly walked, spoke, acted, and thought in complete righteousness, never accepting corruption or entertaining evil.

Isaiah 33 15 Commentary

Isaiah 33:15 is a profound exposition of practical holiness, offered as the divine answer to the pressing question of who can stand before God's terrifying holiness (v. 14). It moves beyond mere moralism to a comprehensive lifestyle defined by unwavering commitment to righteousness. The description begins with active uprightness in conduct ("walks righteously") and communication ("speaks what is right"), emphasizing that genuine faith is embodied in visible, consistent integrity. The verse then specifically addresses corrupt economic practices, condemning both "gain from extortion" and the acceptance of "bribes." The language here is forceful—"rejects" and "shakes his hands free" – conveying an active loathing and dramatic separation from all forms of injustice and ill-gotten wealth.

Finally, the description delves into the internal vigilance necessary for purity, focusing on sensory discipline: "stops his ears against plots of murder" and "shuts his eyes against contemplating evil." This highlights that righteousness is not merely about refraining from outward acts of sin, but critically about guarding the mind and heart from even the thoughts or influences that lead to sin. The righteous person actively filters what they take in, ensuring their inner world is not defiled by violent intentions or wicked schemes. In essence, this verse portrays a character whose integrity is absolute and pervasive, demonstrating that such holistic purity across deeds, words, finances, and even thoughts, is the mark of one who can confidently dwell in the presence of a holy God.