Isaiah Chapter 33 · Verse 9
The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.
Original Language Analysis
אֻמְלְלָה֙
and languisheth
H535
אֻמְלְלָה֙
and languisheth
Strong's:
H535
Word #:
2 of 12
to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn
הֶחְפִּ֥יר
is ashamed
H2659
הֶחְפִּ֥יר
is ashamed
Strong's:
H2659
Word #:
4 of 12
to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach
הָיָ֤ה
H1961
הָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה
is like a wilderness
H6160
כָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה
is like a wilderness
Strong's:
H6160
Word #:
9 of 12
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
Cross References
Isaiah 35:2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.Isaiah 65:10And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.Nahum 1:4He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
Historical Context
Ancient armies devastated countryside systematically—destroying crops, cutting orchards, burning fields to starve besieged cities. Deuteronomy 20:19-20 forbade cutting fruit trees during siege, but pagan armies showed no such restraint. Assyrian reliefs depict soldiers cutting down trees and destroying agriculture. Lebanon's cedars, Sharon's flowers, Bashan's oaks, Carmel's fruit—all regional glories—suffered. Archaeological and historical evidence confirms widespread 8th-century BC agricultural devastation in these regions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does environmental devastation reflect and amplify human conflict and sin?
- What does it mean that even nature 'mourns' when humans reject God and oppress others?
- How should awareness of creation's groaning affect stewardship and peacemaking?
Analysis & Commentary
The earth mourneth and languisheth (אָבַל אֻמְלְלָה אָרֶץ, aval umlelah arets)—the אֶרֶץ (erets, earth, land) mourns (אָבַל, aval) and languishes (אֻמְלַל, umlal, withers, fades). Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down (הֶחְפִּיר לְבָנוֹן קָמַל, hechpir Levanon qamal)—לְבָנוֹן (Levanon, Lebanon) is ashamed (חָפֵר, chafer, dried up, ashamed) and withered (קָמַל, qamal). Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits (הָיָה כָעֲרָבָה הַשָּׁרוֹן וְנֹעֵר בָּשָׁן וְכַרְמֶל, hayah kha'aravah haSharon veno'er Bashan veKharmel).
The devastation extends to nature itself—famous fertile regions become wasteland. Lebanon's cedars (symbol of strength and beauty), Sharon's rose gardens (Song of Solomon 2:1), Bashan's oak forests, and Carmel's vineyards all wither. This isn't merely metaphorical—invading armies destroyed agriculture, cut forests for siege works, burned fields. Romans 8:22 says creation 'groaneth and travaileth in pain together'—nature suffers from human sin and war. Hosea 4:3: 'Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish.'