King James Version

What Does Isaiah 33:9 Mean?

Isaiah 33:9 in the King James Version says “The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits. hewn: or, withered away”

Isaiah 33:9 · KJV

Context

7

Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly. valiant: or, messengers

8

The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.

9

The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits. hewn: or, withered away

10

Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.

11

Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you.

Read Isaiah 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The earth mourneth and languisheth (אָבַל אֻמְלְלָה אָרֶץ, aval umlelah arets)—the אֶרֶץ (erets, earth, land) mourns (אָבַל, aval) and languishes (אֻמְלַל, umlal, withers, fades). Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down (הֶחְפִּיר לְבָנוֹן קָמַל, hechpir Levanon qamal)—לְבָנוֹן (Levanon, Lebanon) is ashamed (חָפֵר, chafer, dried up, ashamed) and withered (קָמַל, qamal). Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits (הָיָה כָעֲרָבָה הַשָּׁרוֹן וְנֹעֵר בָּשָׁן וְכַרְמֶל, hayah kha'aravah haSharon veno'er Bashan veKharmel).

The devastation extends to nature itself—famous fertile regions become wasteland. Lebanon's cedars (symbol of strength and beauty), Sharon's rose gardens (Song of Solomon 2:1), Bashan's oak forests, and Carmel's vineyards all wither. This isn't merely metaphorical—invading armies destroyed agriculture, cut forests for siege works, burned fields. Romans 8:22 says creation 'groaneth and travaileth in pain together'—nature suffers from human sin and war. Hosea 4:3: 'Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient armies devastated countryside systematically—destroying crops, cutting orchards, burning fields to starve besieged cities. Deuteronomy 20:19-20 forbade cutting fruit trees during siege, but pagan armies showed no such restraint. Assyrian reliefs depict soldiers cutting down trees and destroying agriculture. Lebanon's cedars, Sharon's flowers, Bashan's oaks, Carmel's fruit—all regional glories—suffered. Archaeological and historical evidence confirms widespread 8th-century BC agricultural devastation in these regions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does environmental devastation reflect and amplify human conflict and sin?
  2. What does it mean that even nature 'mourns' when humans reject God and oppress others?
  3. How should awareness of creation's groaning affect stewardship and peacemaking?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אָבַ֤ל1 of 12

“mourneth”

H56

to bewail

אֻמְלְלָה֙2 of 12

“and languisheth”

H535

to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn

אָ֔רֶץ3 of 12

“The earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הֶחְפִּ֥יר4 of 12

“is ashamed”

H2659

to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach

לְבָנ֖וֹן5 of 12

“Lebanon”

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

קָמַ֑ל6 of 12

“and hewn down”

H7060

to wither

הָיָ֤ה7 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַשָּׁרוֹן֙8 of 12

“Sharon”

H8289

sharon, the name of a place in palestine

כָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה9 of 12

“is like a wilderness”

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

וְנֹעֵ֥ר10 of 12

“shake off”

H5287

to tumble about

בָּשָׁ֖ן11 of 12

“and Bashan”

H1316

bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

וְכַרְמֶֽל׃12 of 12

“and Carmel”

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

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 33:9 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 33:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 35:2Isaiah 65:10Nahum 1:4Isaiah 37:24Isaiah 14:8Song of Solomon 2:1

Places in This Verse

ArabahRegion · Modern: Arabah · 30.42°N, 35.15°E26 verses across 10 books
BashanRegion · Modern: Saham al Jawlan · 32.78°N, 35.93°E53 verses across 15 books
LebanonRegion · Modern: Jezzine · 33.54°N, 35.58°E57 verses across 16 books
Mount CarmelMountain · Modern: Mount Carmel · 32.67°N, 35.02°E18 verses across 9 books
Sharon 1Region · Modern: Sharon Plain · 32.40°N, 34.88°E6 verses across 4 books
View all places in Isaiah 33 →

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