King James Version

What Does Isaiah 33:21 Mean?

Isaiah 33:21 in the King James Version says “But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, n...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 33:21 · KJV

Context

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

23

Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. Thy: or, They have forsaken thy tacklings

Read Isaiah 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams (כִּי אִם־שָׁם אַדִּיר יְהוָה לָנוּ מְקוֹם־נְהָרִים יְאֹרִים רַחֲבֵי יָדָיִם, ki im-sham adir YHWH lanu meqom-neharim ye'orim rachavey yadayim)—there the אַדִּיר (adir, glorious, majestic) Yahweh is to us a place of rivers (נָהָר, nahar) and streams (יְאֹר, ye'or) of רָחָב (rachav, breadth, width). Wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby (בַּל־תֵּלֶךְ־בּוֹ אֳנִי שַׁיִט וְצִי אַדִּיר לֹא יַעַבְרֶנּוּ, bal-telekh-bo oni shayit vetsi adir lo ya'avrenu)—no warship (אֳנִי שַׁיִט, oni shayit) or gallant ship will pass.

God Himself becomes the river—source of life, provision, protection. But unlike natural rivers that enable enemy invasion (Assyrians used Euphrates/Tigris for transport, Egyptians used Nile), God-as-river permits no hostile vessels. The paradox: all benefits of water (fertility, commerce, beauty) without the liability (military invasion). Psalm 46:4: 'There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.' Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Revelation 22:1-2 depict river flowing from God's throne, bringing life. Jesus offered 'rivers of living water' (John 7:38-39)—the Holy Spirit.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient cities needed water—rivers provided drinking water, irrigation, commerce. But rivers also enabled invasion—Babylon used Euphrates to attack, Egypt controlled Nile. Jerusalem lacked major river, relying on springs and cisterns. Isaiah promises supernatural river—divine presence providing all benefits without military vulnerability. New Jerusalem needs no created river because 'the Lamb is the light thereof' (Revelation 21:23), and the river of life flows from God's throne (Revelation 22:1).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God as 'river' provide all life's necessities without the vulnerabilities of earthly provision sources?
  2. What does it mean that no enemy ship can pass on God's river—complete security in His provision?
  3. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit as 'rivers of living water' (John 7:38-39) in your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּ֣י1 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם2 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שָׁ֞ם3 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אַדִּ֖יר4 of 20

“But there the glorious”

H117

wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful

יְהוָה֙5 of 20

“LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָ֔נוּ6 of 20
H0
מְקוֹם7 of 20

“will be unto us a place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

נְהָרִ֥ים8 of 20

“rivers”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

יְאֹרִ֖ים9 of 20

“and streams”

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

רַחֲבֵ֣י10 of 20

“of broad”

H7342

roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively

יָדָ֑יִם11 of 20
H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

בַּל12 of 20

“no”

H1077

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

תֵּ֤לֶךְ13 of 20
H1980

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

בּוֹ֙14 of 20
H0
אֳנִי15 of 20

“galley”

H590

-a ship or (collectively) a fleet

שַׁ֔יִט16 of 20

“with oars”

H7885

an oar; a scourge (figuratively)

וְצִ֥י17 of 20

“ship”

H6716

a ship (as a fixture)

אַדִּ֖יר18 of 20

“But there the glorious”

H117

wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful

לֹ֥א19 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַעַבְרֶֽנּוּ׃20 of 20

“pass”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

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 33:21 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 33:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 46:4-5Isaiah 66:12Isaiah 48:18Isaiah 41:18Acts 7:22 Corinthians 4:4-6

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