Isaiah 33:7
Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.
Original Language Analysis
צָעֲק֖וּ
shall cry
H6817
צָעֲק֖וּ
shall cry
Strong's:
H6817
Word #:
3 of 8
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
מַלְאֲכֵ֣י
the ambassadors
H4397
מַלְאֲכֵ֣י
the ambassadors
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
5 of 8
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
שָׁל֔וֹם
of peace
H7965
שָׁל֔וֹם
of peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
6 of 8
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
Cross References
Isaiah 36:22Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.2 Kings 18:18And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern sieges involved psychological warfare—intimidation, threats, propaganda. Sennacherib's field commander mocked Judah's God, proclaimed Egypt's unreliability, and promised exile (Isaiah 36:4-20). Even experienced warriors could be demoralized. Hezekiah's tribute payment (2 Kings 18:14-16) failed to satisfy Assyria—the ambassadors returned weeping, their peace mission failed. Only divine intervention would save Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- When have circumstances been so dire that even 'valiant ones' cried and peace efforts failed?
- How does recognizing the depth of crisis make God's deliverance more glorious?
- What situations make you weep bitterly, and how can you turn that desperation into prayer?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without (הֵן אֶרְאֶלָּם צָעֲקוּ חוּצָה, hen er'elam tsa'aqu chutsah)—their אֶרְאֶלָּם (er'elam, heroes, valiant ones) cry out (צָעַק, tsa'aq) חוּצָה (chutsah, outside, in the streets). The ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly (מַלְאֲכֵי שָׁלוֹם מַר יִבְכָּיוּן, mal'akhey shalom mar yibkayun)—messengers of שָׁלוֹם (shalom, peace) weep (בָּכָה, bakhah) מַר (mar, bitterly).
This describes the crisis moment—Assyria's siege has terrified even Judah's heroes. The 'valiant ones' (possibly Hezekiah's soldiers or leading men) cry publicly, and peace negotiators weep bitterly. Second Kings 18:17-37 records Assyria's propaganda assault; Isaiah 36 shows Rabshakeh's intimidation tactics. Even brave men wept at the hopelessness. The 'ambassadors of peace' may be those Hezekiah sent to negotiate (2 Kings 18:14-16), who returned empty-handed after Sennacherib rejected tribute and demanded total surrender.