Isaiah Chapter 33 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
שָׁ֞ם
H8033
אַדִּ֖יר
But there the glorious
H117
אַדִּ֖יר
But there the glorious
Strong's:
H117
Word #:
4 of 20
wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful
יְהוָה֙
LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מְקוֹם
will be unto us a place
H4725
מְקוֹם
will be unto us a place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
7 of 20
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)
נְהָרִ֥ים
rivers
H5104
נְהָרִ֥ים
rivers
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
8 of 20
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
יְאֹרִ֖ים
and streams
H2975
יְאֹרִ֖ים
and streams
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
9 of 20
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
רַחֲבֵ֣י
of broad
H7342
רַחֲבֵ֣י
of broad
Strong's:
H7342
Word #:
10 of 20
roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively
יָדָ֑יִם
H3027
יָדָ֑יִם
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 20
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
בַּל
no
H1077
בַּל
no
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
תֵּ֤לֶךְ
H1980
תֵּ֤לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
13 of 20
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַדִּ֖יר
But there the glorious
H117
אַדִּ֖יר
But there the glorious
Strong's:
H117
Word #:
18 of 20
wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God as 'river' provide all life's necessities without the vulnerabilities of earthly provision sources?
- What does it mean that no enemy ship can pass on God's river—complete security in His provision?
- How have you experienced the Holy Spirit as 'rivers of living water' (John 7:38-39) in your life?
Analysis & 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.