Isaiah 33:5
The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
Original Language Analysis
נִשְׂגָּ֣ב
is exalted
H7682
נִשְׂגָּ֣ב
is exalted
Strong's:
H7682
Word #:
1 of 9
to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שֹׁכֵ֖ן
for he dwelleth
H7931
שֹׁכֵ֖ן
for he dwelleth
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
4 of 9
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
מָר֑וֹם
on high
H4791
מָר֑וֹם
on high
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
5 of 9
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
מִלֵּ֣א
he hath filled
H4390
מִלֵּ֣א
he hath filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
6 of 9
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
צִיּ֔וֹן
Zion
H6726
צִיּ֔וֹן
Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
7 of 9
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
Cross References
Isaiah 2:17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.Romans 11:26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:Daniel 4:37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Historical Context
Zion, Jerusalem's temple mount, represented God's earthly dwelling. Yet 1 Kings 8:27 acknowledges: 'heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house.' God's transcendence and immanence coexist—He dwells in inaccessible heights yet fills Zion. After delivering Jerusalem from Assyria, God's justice and righteousness were vindicated. The ultimate fulfillment: Immanuel (God with us, Matthew 1:23), the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's transcendence (dwelling on high) coexist with His immanence (filling Zion)?
- What does it mean that God fills His dwelling place with justice and righteousness, not wealth or power?
- How should awareness of God's exalted position shape worship, prayer, and daily life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high (נִשְׂגָּב יְהוָה כִּי שֹׁכֵן מָרוֹם, nisgav YHWH ki shokhen marom)—Yahweh is נָשַׂג (nasag, exalted, high, inaccessible) because He שָׁכַן (shakhan, dwells) in מָרוֹם (marom, the heights). He hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness (מִלֵּא צִיּוֹן מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה, mile Tsiyon mishpat utsedaqah)—He has filled Zion with מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, judgment, justice) and צְדָקָה (tsedaqah, righteousness).
After describing deliverance (vv. 3-4), Isaiah ascribes praise. God's exaltation (נִשְׂגָּב, nisgav) means both transcendence (dwelling on high) and supremacy (elevated above all). Yet this transcendent God fills Zion—immanent presence. He fills it not with wealth or military strength but with מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) and צְדָקָה (tsedaqah)—justice and righteousness. Psalm 99:9 declares: 'Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.' God's throne established on justice (Psalm 89:14).