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Isaiah 33:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 33:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; his bread shall be given [him]; his waters shall be sure.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; his bread shall be given [him]; his waters shall be sure.
Isaiah 33:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.
14The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling hath seized the godless ones: Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?
15He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from taking a bribe, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from looking upon evil:
16He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; his bread shall be given [him]; his waters shall be sure.
17Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold a land that reacheth afar.
18Thy heart shall muse on the terror: Where is he that counted, where is he that weighed [the tribute]? where is he that counted the towers?
19Thou shalt not see the fierce people, a people of a deep speech that thou canst not comprehend, of a strange tongue that thou canst not understand.
← Isaiah 33:15Isaiah 33:17 →
← Full Chapter 33 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He shall dwell on high, &c.] And so in safety: this is opposed to the fears of hypocrites, the grovelling life of a worldling, and the low life of many professors, and is expressive of the security of good men. It may respect the state of the saints on earth, who dwell by faith on God, as their covenant God, on his everlasting love and unchangeable grace; on Christ, as their Redeemer and Saviour; and in their thoughts and contemplations on heavenly things, where Christ is; and particularly in the spiritual reign of Christ, after the destruction of antichrist, when such shall dwell quietly and safely in God’s holy hill, the church, which shall be established upon the top of the mountains: and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“on high--heights inaccessible to the foe (Isa 26:1). bread . . . waters--image from the expected siege by Sennacherib; however besieged by trials without, the godly shall have literal and spiritual food, as God sees good for them (Isa 41:17; Psa 37:25; Psa 34:10; Psa 132:15).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He shall dwell on high - See the margin. Heights, or high places, were usually places of safety, being, inaccessible to an enemy. The sense here is, that such a man as is described in Isaiah 33:15, should be preserved from alarm and danger, as if his habitation were on a lofty cliff or rock. The particular and special meaning is, that he should be safe from the anger, wrath, and consuming fire, which the sinner and the hypocrite dreaded Isaiah 33:14. The munitions of rocks - The literal translation of this place would be, ‘The strongholds of the rocks shall be his lofty fortress’ (compare the note at Isaiah 2:21). Bread shall be given him - He shall be sustained, and his life shall be…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“On high - Out of the reach of danger. His waters - God will furnish him with all necessaries. Isaiah 33:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shall dwell: Isa 32:18; Psa 15:1, Psa 90:1, Psa 91:1-10, Psa 91:14, Psa 107:41; Pro 1:33, Pro 18:10; Hab 3:19 high: Heb. heights, or high places his place: Isa 26:1-5; Psa 18:33 bread: Psa 33:18, Psa 34:10, Psa 37:3, Psa 111:5; Luk 12:29-31 Isaiah 33:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification