He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

ISAIAH 33:16KJV
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Isaiah 33:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 33:16 mean?

Isaiah 33:16 describes the safety and provision promised to the person identified in the preceding verse. The person will have a secure place to live and a dependable supply of food and water, even in a setting where danger threatens.

The image is of a refuge high among rocky cliffs, where attackers would have difficulty reaching someone. After the description of upright conduct in verse 15, Isaiah 33:16 answers the question of who can dwell in God’s presence (verse 14) with a picture of shelter and provision.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 33:16

  • “munitions” — מְצָדוֹת (metsadot): The word means strongholds or fortified places. In the KJV, “munitions of rocks” pictures the rocks as a natural fortress.
  • “sure” — אָמַן (aman): The word can carry the sense of being reliable or secure. Here it describes a water supply that can be counted on.

Why Isaiah 33:16 matters

  • The person in verse 16 is identified by conduct, not by a name. Verse 15 describes someone who acts honestly and refuses to profit from wrongdoing.
  • The promise includes necessities as well as defence. “Bread shall be given him” and “his waters shall be sure” complete the picture of a place where someone can stay, not merely hide for a moment.

Where else these words appear

“munitions” Hebrew H4679 · used in 11 verses

  • Judges 6:2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
  • 1 Samuel 23:29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

“defence” Hebrew H4869 · used in 16 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
  • Psalms 48:3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
  • Psalms 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

“high” Hebrew H4791 · used in 52 verses

  • Judges 5:18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
  • Psalms 92:8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
  • Isaiah 37:24 By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.

“rocks” Hebrew H5553 · used in 54 verses

  • Numbers 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
  • 1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
  • Isaiah 22:16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?