Isaiah 33:8

Authorized King James Version

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The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.

Original Language Analysis

נָשַׁ֣מּוּ lie waste H8074
נָשַׁ֣מּוּ lie waste
Strong's: H8074
Word #: 1 of 12
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
מְסִלּ֔וֹת The highways H4546
מְסִלּ֔וֹת The highways
Strong's: H4546
Word #: 2 of 12
a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
שָׁבַ֖ת ceaseth H7673
שָׁבַ֖ת ceaseth
Strong's: H7673
Word #: 3 of 12
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
עֹבֵ֣ר the wayfaring man H5674
עֹבֵ֣ר the wayfaring man
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 4 of 12
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֹ֑רַח H734
אֹ֑רַח
Strong's: H734
Word #: 5 of 12
a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
הֵפֵ֤ר he hath broken H6565
הֵפֵ֤ר he hath broken
Strong's: H6565
Word #: 6 of 12
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
בְּרִית֙ the covenant H1285
בְּרִית֙ the covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 7 of 12
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
מָאַ֣ס he hath despised H3988
מָאַ֣ס he hath despised
Strong's: H3988
Word #: 8 of 12
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
עָרִ֔ים the cities H5892
עָרִ֔ים the cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 9 of 12
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
חָשַׁ֖ב he regardeth H2803
חָשַׁ֖ב he regardeth
Strong's: H2803
Word #: 11 of 12
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
אֱנֽוֹשׁ׃ H376
אֱנֽוֹשׁ׃
Strong's: H376
Word #: 12 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

Analysis & Commentary

The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth (נָשַׁמּוּ מְסִלּוֹת שָׁבַת עֹבֵר אֹרַח, nashamu mesilot shavat over orach)—highways (מְסִלָּה, mesilah) are desolate (נָשַׁם, nasham), travelers (עֹבֵר אֹרַח, over orach) cease (שָׁבַת, shavat). He hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man (הֵפֵר בְּרִית מָאַס עָרִים לֹא חָשַׁב אֱנוֹשׁ, hefer berit ma'as arim lo chashav enosh)—he broke (פָּרַר, parar) covenant (בְּרִית, berit), despised (מָאַס, ma'as) cities, doesn't regard (חָשַׁב, chashav) mankind (אֱנוֹשׁ, enosh).

Assyria's invasion devastated infrastructure—roads unsafe, travel impossible, commerce ceased. Sennacherib broke covenant (perhaps tribute agreements, 2 Kings 18:14-16) and despised cities (2 Kings 18:13 says he captured 46 fortified cities). He regarded no man—contempt for human life, treating people as expendable. This lawlessness characterizes tyrants who consider themselves above morality and treaties. Revelation 6:8 describes similar conditions: 'power was given unto them... to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death.'

Historical Context

Assyrian records boast of destruction—burning cities, deporting populations, making regions uninhabitable. Sennacherib's Taylor Prism brags about devastating Judean countryside and extracting tribute from Hezekiah. Archaeological evidence shows destruction layers in Judean cities from this period—Lachish, for example, was brutally destroyed (reliefs from Nineveh depict the siege). The broken covenant may reference Sennacherib's rejection of Hezekiah's tribute as insufficient.

Questions for Reflection

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