King James Version

What Does Isaiah 33:20 Mean?

Isaiah 33:20 in the King James Version says “Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.”

Isaiah 33:20 · KJV

Context

18

Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers? receiver: Heb. weigher?

19

Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. stammering: or, ridiculous

20

Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

21

But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. of: Heb. broad of spaces, or, hands

22

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. lawgiver: Heb. statutemaker

Read Isaiah 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities (חֲזֵה צִיּוֹן קִרְיַת מוֹעֲדֵנוּ, chazeh Tsiyon qiryat mo'adenu)—behold (חָזָה, chazah) Zion, city of our מוֹעֵד (mo'ed, appointed feasts, assemblies). Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation (עֵינֶיךָ תִרְאֶינָה יְרוּשָׁלִַם נָוֶה שַׁאֲנָן, eynekha tire'enah Yerushalaim naveh sha'anan)—Jerusalem as a נָוֶה (naveh, habitation, dwelling) that is שַׁאֲנָן (sha'anan, quiet, tranquil, secure). A tabernacle that shall not be taken down... not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken (אֹהֶל בַּל־יִצְעָן בַּל־יִסַּע יְתֵדֹתָיו לָנֶצַח וְכָל־חֲבָלָיו בַּל־יִנָּתֵקוּ, ohel bal-yits'an bal-yissa yetedotaw lanetsach vekhol-chavalayv bal-yinatequ).

Zion, city of pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles), will be permanently secure—a tent (אֹהֶל, ohel) that's never taken down, stakes (יָתֵד, yated) never removed, cords (חֶבֶל, chevel) never broken. The tent imagery evokes Tabernacle—God's movable dwelling—but promises permanence. Hebrews 12:22-24 says believers 'are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.' Revelation 21:2-3: 'I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God... the tabernacle of God is with men.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's three annual pilgrimage festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16) made it 'city of appointed times.' Assyrian siege threatened to end this—no festivals under occupation. God's deliverance preserved worship. The tent metaphor contrasts nomadic insecurity with permanent dwelling. Tabernacle was portable; Temple was permanent but destroyed (586 BC). Ultimate fulfillment: eternal city where God dwells with humanity (Revelation 21:3), never again disrupted.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jerusalem as 'city of our appointed feasts' picture the church as gathering place for worship?
  2. What does the permanent tent metaphor teach about security in God's presence—no more displacement or exile?
  3. How do you experience Zion's stability now as citizen of heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22-24)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
חֲזֵ֣ה1 of 20

“Look”

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

צִיּ֔וֹן2 of 20

“upon Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

קִרְיַ֖ת3 of 20

“the city”

H7151

a city

מֽוֹעֲדֵ֑נוּ4 of 20

“of our solemnities”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

עֵינֶיךָ֩5 of 20

“thine eyes”

H5869

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

תִרְאֶ֨ינָה6 of 20

“shall see”

H7200

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

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם7 of 20

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

נָוֶ֣ה8 of 20

“habitation”

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

שַׁאֲנָ֗ן9 of 20

“a quiet”

H7600

secure; in a bad sense, haughty

אֹ֤הֶל10 of 20

“a tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

בַּל11 of 20
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

יִצְעָן֙12 of 20

“that shall not be taken down”

H6813

to load up (beasts), i.e., to migrate

בַּל13 of 20
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

יִסַּ֤ע14 of 20

“be removed”

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

יְתֵֽדֹתָיו֙15 of 20

“not one of the stakes”

H3489

a peg

לָנֶ֔צַח16 of 20

“thereof shall ever”

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

וְכָל17 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֲבָלָ֖יו18 of 20

“neither shall any of the cords”

H2256

ruin

בַּל19 of 20
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

יִנָּתֵֽקוּ׃20 of 20

“thereof be broken”

H5423

to tear off

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 33:20 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 33:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 46:5Isaiah 32:18Isaiah 54:2Psalms 128:5Psalms 125:1-2Ezekiel 48:35

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Isaiah 33 →

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