Isaiah 33:9 kjv
The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.
Isaiah 33:9 nkjv
The earth mourns and languishes, Lebanon is shamed and shriveled; Sharon is like a wilderness, And Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.
Isaiah 33:9 niv
The land dries up and wastes away, Lebanon is ashamed and withers; Sharon is like the Arabah, and Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.
Isaiah 33:9 esv
The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is confounded and withers away; Sharon is like a desert, and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.
Isaiah 33:9 nlt
The land of Israel wilts in mourning.
Lebanon withers with shame.
The plain of Sharon is now a wilderness.
Bashan and Carmel have been plundered.
Isaiah 33 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 33:9 | The land mourns and withers; Lebanon is shamed and withers away. | Original Verse |
| Jeremiah 12:4 | How long will the land mourn and the herbs of every field wither | Parallel Lamentation |
| Joel 1:10 | The fields are devastated, the land mourns, for the grain is destroyed | Devastation and Mourning |
| Psalm 102:11 | My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither like grass. | Personal Wasting |
| Psalm 37:2 | For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green | Transitory Nature |
| John 15:4 | Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine; neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. | Life dependent on connection |
| Isaiah 24:4-7 | The earth dries up and withers... No one drinks wine, for it has none. | Widespread Drought |
| Isaiah 16:8-10 | The fields of Heshbon languish, the vine of Sibmah also;... For the harvest of your field and your vintage has perished. | Fruit Failure |
| Revelation 9:4 | They were told not to harm the grasses of the earth or any green thing or any tree, but only those of mankind who have the seal of God on their foreheads. | Importance of Greenery |
| Hosea 4:3 | Therefore the land mourns, and every one that dwells therein is weak, ... the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air; yea, the fishes of the sea do fail. | Land's Distress |
| Nahum 1:4 | He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither and the bloom of Lebanon fades. | Natural Desolation |
| Jeremiah 23:30 | Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, says the LORD, who steal my words from each other. | Divine Judgment |
| Isaiah 5:6 | And I will make it a waste. It shall not be pruned or dug, and it shall be choked with brambles and thorns; and I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. | Barrenness |
| Isaiah 14:11-12 | Your pomp is brought down to Sheol... How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! | Pride and Downfall |
| Matthew 24:35 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. | Enduring Word |
| 1 Peter 1:24-25 | For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." | Ephemeral Glory vs. Eternal Word |
| Isaiah 29:18 | In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see through the mist and darkness. | Restoration |
| Isaiah 40:7-8 | The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. | Permanence of God's Word |
| Jeremiah 9:10-11 | I will turn the mountains into a wasteland, and their pastures into desert. Who is wise enough to understand this? Who has been instructed by the LORD and can explain it? Why has the land perished and become like a burning wilderness, so that no one can pass through? | Judgment and Desolation |
| Psalm 39:11 | When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume his beauty like a moth; surely all mankind is vanity. | Human Frailty |
| Revelation 11:18 | The nations raged, but your wrath has come, and the time for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and saints, and all who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth. | Divine Judgment on Nations |
Isaiah 33 verses
Isaiah 33 9 Meaning
The land mourns and grieves. People lament. They are like withered grass in a drought, or like scattered flowers in a harsh wind.
Isaiah 33 9 Context
This verse is part of a larger prophecy concerning judgment upon the enemies of Jerusalem and the subsequent deliverance and peace that God will bring. In chapter 32, there is a description of a wicked king and the coming of a righteous king, followed by a vision of a future kingdom of righteousness. Chapter 33 continues this theme, describing the downfall of oppressors and the blessings for the faithful. Specifically, verse 9 describes the devastating effects of God's judgment on the land and its people. This is set against the backdrop of anticipated Assyrian invasion and destruction, though its fulfillment is broader, encompassing the consequences of unfaithfulness to God and the eventual complete overthrow of His enemies.
Isaiah 33 9 Word Analysis
"The land": (Hebrew: הָאָרֶץ - ha'aretz). Refers to the territory, the ground, the physical soil and its inhabitants. It signifies the whole domain experiencing God's wrath.
"mourns": (Hebrew: אָבְלָה - ovlah). From the root abal, meaning to grieve, lament, mourn. It speaks of deep sorrow and distress.
"and withers": (Hebrew: וַתִּיבַשׁ - vatitbas). From the root yabash, meaning to be dry, withered, parched. It signifies desolation and loss of vitality, a drying up of life.
"Lebanon": (Hebrew: לְבָנוֹן - Levanon). Refers to the mountainous region north of Israel, known for its fertile land, strong cedars, and prominent place in biblical imagery for beauty and strength.
"is shamed": (Hebrew: הֹבִישׁ - hovish). From the root bush, meaning to be ashamed, to be put to shame, to be confounded. This shame results from defeat and destruction.
"and withers away": (Hebrew: וַתִּימֹק - vatimok). From the root mook, meaning to languish, fade away, grow weak. It indicates a wasting away, a loss of strength and vigor.
Word Group: "The land mourns and withers": This paints a picture of environmental devastation directly linked to the land's inhabitants. When God judges, even nature reflects the affliction, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of His discipline.
Word Group: "Lebanon is shamed and withers away": Lebanon, often a symbol of strength, beauty, and God's blessings, here is brought low. Its shame signifies not only defeat but the humiliation of what was once glorious being ruined, highlighting the thoroughness of God's judgment against His enemies and those who oppress His people.
Isaiah 33 9 Bonus Section
The imagery of withering grass and flowers is a recurring theme in Scripture, used to contrast the fleeting nature of human glory and worldly power with the enduring power of God's word and promises. The specific mention of Lebanon connects the judgment to a significant geographical and symbolic entity known for its cedars, symbolizing strength and prominence. The shame brought upon it signifies a stripping away of pride and confidence, a common consequence of facing God's overpowering might. This verse serves as a stark warning about the ultimate futility of opposition to God and a reminder of His sovereign power over all creation.
Isaiah 33 9 Commentary
This verse graphically portrays the widespread desolation and distress that accompanies divine judgment. The land itself reflects the sorrow and suffering of its inhabitants. The reference to Lebanon, a symbol of natural beauty and strength, being shamed and withering underscores that even formidable natural or human power cannot withstand God's wrath. It speaks to a profound disruption of the natural order when God's justice is enacted against wickedness. The imagery evokes a sense of loss of vitality and inherent worth, applicable to both the land and the people who dwell in it when they are removed from God's favor.
- Practical implication: True flourishing and vitality are tied to God's blessing and presence. When a nation or individual turns from God, they face a spiritual and often physical withering, losing the essence of true life and strength.