King James Version

What Does Isaiah 33:15 Mean?

Isaiah 33:15 in the King James Version says “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands f... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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; righteously: Heb. in righteousnesses uprightly: Heb. uprightnesses oppressions: or, deceits blood: Heb. bloods

Isaiah 33:15 · KJV


Context

13

Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.

14

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

15

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; righteously: Heb. in righteousnesses uprightly: Heb. uprightnesses oppressions: or, deceits blood: Heb. bloods

16

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. high: Heb. heights, or, high places

17

Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. that: Heb. of far distances


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly (הֹלֵךְ צְדָקוֹת וְדֹבֵר מֵישָׁרִים, holekh tsedaqot vedover meyasharim)—the one walking (הָלַךְ, halakh) in צְדָקָה (tsedaqah, righteousness) and speaking (דָּבַר, davar) מֵישָׁרִים (meyasharim, uprightness, straightness). He that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes (מֹאֵס בְּבֶצַע מַעֲשַׁקּוֹת נֹעֵר כַּפָּיו מִתְּמֹךְ בַּשֹּׁחַד, mo'es bebetsa ma'ashaqqot no'er kappaw mittemokh bashochad)—despising (מָאַס, ma'as) gain (בֶּצַע, betsa) from oppression, shaking hands from grasping bribes (שֹׁחַד, shochad). That stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil (אֹטֵם אָזְנוֹ מִשְּׁמֹעַ דָּמִים וְעֹצֵם עֵינָיו מֵרְאוֹת בְּרָע, otem ozno mishmoa damim ve'otsem eynaw mer'ot bera).

The answer to verse 14's question: those characterized by comprehensive righteousness can dwell with the holy God. Six marks: (1) righteous walk, (2) upright speech, (3) despising oppressive gain, (4) refusing bribes, (5) closing ears to bloodshed-plots, (6) shutting eyes to evil. This isn't sinless perfection but fundamental orientation toward righteousness, active resistance to evil. Psalm 15:2-5 and Psalm 24:3-5 give similar lists. Ultimately, only Christ perfectly fulfills this; believers dwell with God through His righteousness imputed (2 Corinthians 5:21).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israelite society struggled with these sins—bribery perverted justice (Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19), oppression enriched leaders (Amos 5:11-12, Micah 2:1-2), violence was plotted (Jeremiah 11:18-19), evil was celebrated (Isaiah 5:20). True covenant-keepers actively resisted cultural corruption. Jesus expanded this in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10)—the pure in heart shall see God (v. 8). First John 3:2-3 promises: 'we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How do these six marks of righteousness describe not just avoiding evil but actively resisting it?
  2. Which of these characteristics (righteous walk, upright speech, despising oppressive gain, etc.) needs strengthening in your life?
  3. How does recognizing that only Christ perfectly fulfills this list drive you to depend on His righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הֹלֵ֣ךְ1 of 19

He that walketh

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

צְדָק֔וֹת2 of 19

righteously

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

וְדֹבֵ֖ר3 of 19

and speaketh

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

מֵֽישָׁרִ֑ים4 of 19

uprightly

H4339

evenness, i.e., (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, i.e., (figuratively) rectitude (only in plural with singular sense; often adv

מֹאֵ֞ס5 of 19

he that despiseth

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

בְּבֶ֣צַע6 of 19

the gain

H1215

plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)

מַעֲשַׁקּ֗וֹת7 of 19

of oppressions

H4642

oppression

נֹעֵ֤ר8 of 19

that shaketh

H5287

to tumble about

כַּפָּיו֙9 of 19

his hands

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

מִתְּמֹ֣ךְ10 of 19

from holding

H8551

to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close

בַּשֹּׁ֔חַד11 of 19

of bribes

H7810

a donation (venal or redemptive)

אֹטֵ֤ם12 of 19

that stoppeth

H331

to close (the lips or ears); by analology to contract (a window by bevelled jambs)

אָזְנוֹ֙13 of 19

his ears

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

מִשְּׁמֹ֣עַ14 of 19

from hearing

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

דָּמִ֔ים15 of 19

of blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

וְעֹצֵ֥ם16 of 19

and shutteth

H6105

to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones

עֵינָ֖יו17 of 19

his eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

מֵרְא֥וֹת18 of 19

from seeing

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְּרָֽע׃19 of 19

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 33:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 33:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study