Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

ISAIAH 33:17KJV
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Isaiah 33:17 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 33:17 mean?

Isaiah 33:17 promises that the people will see their king in all his splendor and will look upon a distant land. The verse paints a picture of hope and restoration, suggesting a future where the people experience both the beauty of their leader and the security of a broad, peaceful territory.

Isaiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem during a time of threat and uncertainty, likely when the Assyrian army was pressing in. The verse reassures them that, despite their current fears, a time is coming when they will witness their king—possibly referring to God Himself or a righteous earthly ruler—in majesty, and will enjoy a land that is safe and expansive, far removed from danger.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 33:17

  • "Eyes" (עֵינַיִם, ʿenayim): This word emphasizes personal experience and direct witness, highlighting that the people themselves will see these things, not just hear about them.
  • "King" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): In this context, "king" can refer to the earthly ruler (like Hezekiah) or, as many understand, to God as the ultimate king, underlining the promise of divine leadership.
  • "Beauty" (יֹפִי, yofi): This word means splendor or majesty, suggesting not just physical attractiveness but a sense of awe-inspiring presence or dignity.
  • "Land" (אֶרֶץ, erets): The term for "land" here often means territory or country, reinforcing the idea of a secure, peaceful homeland.
  • "Off" (מֶרְחָקִים, merchaqim): This word means "far away" or "distant places," which can imply both physical distance and the idea of a future hope that is currently out of reach.

Why Isaiah 33:17 matters

  • Isaiah 33:17 shifts the focus from present troubles to a future vision of hope, helping the people look beyond immediate threats.
  • The verse emphasizes that restoration involves both a righteous leader and a secure, flourishing land, not just one or the other.
  • By promising that the people will "see" these things with their own eyes, Isaiah 33:17 reassures them of a personal and tangible experience of God's deliverance, not just a distant or abstract promise.

Where else these words appear

“off” Hebrew H4801 · used in 18 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
  • Isaiah 10:3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
  • Jeremiah 5:15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

“beauty” Hebrew H3308 · used in 19 verses

  • Esther 1:11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
  • Lamentations 2:15 All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
  • Ezekiel 27:11 The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.

“see” Hebrew H2372 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
  • Psalms 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
  • Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: