Isaiah 33:6

Authorized King James Version

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And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָה֙ H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֱמוּנַ֣ת shall be the stability H530
אֱמוּנַ֣ת shall be the stability
Strong's: H530
Word #: 2 of 11
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
עִתֶּ֔יךָ of thy times H6256
עִתֶּ֔יךָ of thy times
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 3 of 11
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
חֹ֥סֶן and strength H2633
חֹ֥סֶן and strength
Strong's: H2633
Word #: 4 of 11
wealth
יְשׁוּעֹ֖ת of salvation H3444
יְשׁוּעֹ֖ת of salvation
Strong's: H3444
Word #: 5 of 11
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
חָכְמַ֣ת And wisdom H2451
חָכְמַ֣ת And wisdom
Strong's: H2451
Word #: 6 of 11
wisdom (in a good sense)
וָדָ֑עַת and knowledge H1847
וָדָ֑עַת and knowledge
Strong's: H1847
Word #: 7 of 11
knowledge
יִרְאַ֥ת the fear H3374
יִרְאַ֥ת the fear
Strong's: H3374
Word #: 8 of 11
fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הִ֥יא H1931
הִ֥יא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 10 of 11
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אוֹצָרֽוֹ׃ is his treasure H214
אוֹצָרֽוֹ׃ is his treasure
Strong's: H214
Word #: 11 of 11
a depository

Analysis & Commentary

And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times (וְהָיָה אֱמוּנַת עִתֶּיךָ חֹסֶן יְשׁוּעֹת חָכְמַת וָדָעַת, vehayah emunat ittekha chosen yeshu'ot chakhmat vada'at)—אֱמוּנָה (emunah, faithfulness, stability) of your times is a חֹסֶן (chosen, treasure, store) of יְשׁוּעוֹת (yeshu'ot, salvation), חָכְמָה (chokhmah, wisdom) and דַּעַת (da'at, knowledge). The fear of the LORD is his treasure (יִרְאַת יְהוָה הִיא אוֹצָרוֹ, yir'at YHWH hi otsaro)—the יִרְאָה (yir'ah, fear, reverence) of Yahweh is His אוֹצָר (otsar, treasure, storehouse).

True security comes not from Egyptian alliances or military strength but from wisdom, knowledge, and fear of God. The phrase 'stability of thy times' (אֱמוּנַת עִתֶּיךָ, emunat ittekha) can mean faithfulness that provides stability. The treasure (חֹסֶן, chosen, אוֹצָר, otsar) isn't gold but fear of the LORD. Proverbs 9:10: 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.' Job 28:28: 'the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.' Contrast with those trusting horses and chariots (Isaiah 31:1)—true wealth is theological, not material.

Historical Context

Ancient kings measured wealth in gold, silver, armaments. Solomon's wisdom was legendary, yet even he failed when he abandoned fear of the LORD for political marriages and idolatry (1 Kings 11). Hezekiah initially trusted fortifications and water systems (2 Chronicles 32:2-5), but ultimate deliverance came through prayer and trust (Isaiah 37:14-20). Jesus taught: 'lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven' (Matthew 6:20). Paul called Christ 'the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Questions for Reflection

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