Isaiah 33:16 kjv
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
Isaiah 33:16 nkjv
He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.
Isaiah 33:16 niv
they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them.
Isaiah 33:16 esv
he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.
Isaiah 33:16 nlt
these are the ones who will dwell on high.
The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress.
Food will be supplied to them,
and they will have water in abundance.
Isaiah 33 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 33:15 | He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly... | Isa 33:15 (Parallel righteousness) |
| Ps 37:3 | Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. | Ps 37:3 (Command to trust) |
| Ps 23:1 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. | Ps 23:1 (Provider) |
| Ps 34:9 | Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no want! | Ps 34:9 (No want for the Godly) |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding... | Prov 3:5-6 (Trust and guidance) |
| Matt 6:25-33 | Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life... | Matt 6:25-33 (Provision promised) |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | Phil 4:19 (God's provision) |
| Isa 25:4 | For you have been a stronghold to the weak, a stronghold to the poor in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade in the heat... | Isa 25:4 (God as refuge) |
| Ps 14:7 | Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad! | Ps 14:7 (Salvation from Zion) |
| Jer 23:5-6 | Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch... | Jer 23:5-6 (Righteous Branch) |
| Zech 14:20-21 | On that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, "Holy to the LORD." And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the basins before the altar. | Zech 14:20-21 (Holiness of God) |
| John 1:1 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. | John 1:1 (Jesus as the Word) |
| John 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." | John 14:6 (Jesus as Truth) |
| Rom 8:1 | There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. | Rom 8:1 (No condemnation) |
| 1 John 3:16-18 | By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us... | 1 John 3:16-18 (Love in action) |
| Ps 91:1-10 | Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. | Ps 91:1-10 (Shelter and security) |
| Isa 40:31 | but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. | Isa 40:31 (Waiting on the Lord) |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | Ps 119:105 (Word as guidance) |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. | 1 Cor 1:30 (Christ as righteousness) |
| Acts 17:28 | for "“‘In him we live and move and have our being’"; as even some of your own poets have said, "“For we are indeed his offspring.”" | Acts 17:28 (In Him we live) |
Isaiah 33 verses
Isaiah 33 16 Meaning
The righteous person trusts in God. This trust means they will be provided for, having bread and water guaranteed. This security extends to seeing the oppressor defeated, meaning their land will be free from any threat.
Isaiah 33 16 Context
This verse is situated within Isaiah chapter 33, a prophecy detailing future judgment and restoration for Zion and Jerusalem. The preceding verses (33:10-13) describe God’s coming judgment upon the nations that have oppressed His people. Isaiah 33:14 shifts the focus to the internal spiritual state of those who will inherit God’s salvation, emphasizing the importance of righteousness and upright speech. Verse 16 then provides assurance of divine provision and security for the faithful who live in this manner, highlighting a covenant relationship marked by abundant sustenance and freedom from fear. The broader context of Isaiah's prophecy often moves between themes of judgment on sin and the ultimate restoration of God's kingdom, pointing to the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 33 16 Word analysis
He (Who): Refers to the individual who embraces righteousness and truthful speech.
shall dwell (Hebrew: yishkon): To inhabit, to settle securely; implies a permanent and peaceful dwelling.
on high (Hebrew: bemarom): In the highest places, referring to God's dwelling place or to a high, elevated spiritual and physical position secured by God.
]: shall be] fed (Hebrew: ylkalaḥ): Often translated as "fed" or "sustained." It speaks of being nourished, provided for, and supplied with food.
]: his bread (Hebrew: lehem): Literal bread, symbolizing essential sustenance and provision.
]: shall be] given (Hebrew: yittena): Provided, supplied.
]: his water (Hebrew: mayim): Literal water, symbolizing life-giving sustenance and purity.
]: shall be] sure (Hebrew: mequmon): Steadfast, certain, reliable, enduring; speaks of a guaranteed supply.
"]: the king (Hebrew: melek): Refers to God Himself as the supreme Ruler and Sovereign who ensures this provision.
"]: in his beauty (Hebrew: bepharsum lephneko): Literally "in his face" or "in his countenance." It signifies beholding the fullness of God’s presence and glory, which is the ultimate source of all blessing and sustenance. The translated phrase "in his beauty" captures this radiant aspect of God's presence.
"]: the land (Hebrew: erets): Refers to the land of Israel, but also spiritually to the promised inheritance and dwelling with God.
Groups of words:
- He shall dwell on high: This signifies not just a physical dwelling but a spiritual state of proximity and safety in God’s presence.
- his bread shall be given, his water shall be sure: This phrase is a powerful promise of absolute divine provision for all basic needs, emphasizing God's faithfulness and the certainty of His care.
Isaiah 33 16 Bonus Section
The concept of God being the ultimate source of "bread" and "water" echoes the spiritual provision found in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who identified Himself as the "bread of life" (John 6:35) and offered the "living water" (John 4:10). The phrase "in his beauty" can also be interpreted as enjoying fellowship and the radiant presence of God. The righteousness that allows one to "dwell on high" is not self-achieved but imputed through faith in Christ's righteousness, as seen in verses like 2 Corinthians 5:21. The "king in his beauty" points to the glorious reign of Christ and His restored kingdom, a future reality where such complete provision and peace will be fully realized.
Isaiah 33 16 Commentary
This verse encapsulates the core of covenant faithfulness. For those who align their lives with God's standards of righteousness and truth, security and sustenance are guaranteed not by their own efforts, but by God Himself. He is portrayed as the ultimate King and Provider. The assurance of "bread" and "water" signifies meeting all essential needs, suggesting a life free from want or anxious care. This divine provision is intimately linked to beholding God's glorious presence ("in his beauty"). It's a holistic blessing of spiritual nourishment and physical provision, ensuring the believer's well-being within the land of God's promise.