Isaiah 33:24
And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
Original Language Analysis
וּבַל
H1077
וּבַל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
שָׁכֵ֖ן
And the inhabitant
H7934
שָׁכֵ֖ן
And the inhabitant
Strong's:
H7934
Word #:
3 of 9
a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen
חָלִ֑יתִי
I am sick
H2470
חָלִ֑יתִי
I am sick
Strong's:
H2470
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
הָעָ֛ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֛ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 9
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַיֹּשֵׁ֥ב
that dwell
H3427
הַיֹּשֵׁ֥ב
that dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Jeremiah 50:20In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.Isaiah 44:22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.Isaiah 58:8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.James 5:14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.Deuteronomy 7:15And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.Revelation 22:2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.Isaiah 30:26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.Deuteronomy 28:27The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
Historical Context
Siege conditions brought disease—cramped quarters, poor sanitation, malnutrition weakened immune systems. Deliverance from Assyria meant health restoration. But deeper reality: covenant faithfulness brings blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-14), including health. Messiah's ministry demonstrated this connection—healing and forgiveness united (Mark 2:5-11, 'Son, thy sins be forgiven thee... Arise, and take up thy bed'). Ultimately, Christ bore both sin and sickness (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:17).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the connection between forgiven iniquity and no sickness reveal sin's comprehensive consequences?
- What does complete healing—physical, spiritual, emotional—look like in God's restored Kingdom?
- How can you experience now (partially) the shalom that will be complete in new creation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick (וּבַל־יֹאמַר שָׁכֵן חָלִיתִי, uval-yomar shakhen chaliti)—the שָׁכֵן (shakhen, inhabitant, dweller) won't say 'I am sick' (חָלָה, chalah). The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity (הָעָם הַיֹּשֵׁב בָּהּ נְשֻׂא עָוֺן, ha'am hayoshev bah nesu avon)—the people dwelling there are נָשָׂא (nasa, forgiven, lifted up, pardoned) from עָוֺן (avon, iniquity).
Isaiah 33 concludes with comprehensive shalom: no sickness, complete forgiveness. The connection is profound—sickness often resulted from sin (see John 5:14, 1 Corinthians 11:30), but covenant healing includes both physical and spiritual restoration. Exodus 15:26: 'I am the LORD that healeth thee.' The ultimate fulfillment awaits new creation: 'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain' (Revelation 21:4). The root issue—iniquity—is removed, so its fruit—sickness, death—also vanishes. Psalm 103:3: 'Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.'