But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

ISAIAH 33:21KJV
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Isaiah 33:21 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 33:21 mean?

Isaiah 33:21 describes how the LORD will be like a wide, protective river for His people, a place of safety and beauty where no enemy ships can invade. The verse uses the image of broad rivers and streams to show that God Himself will provide security and peace, making Jerusalem unthreatened by hostile forces.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem during a time of threat from foreign armies. He paints a picture of God’s presence as a glorious and unassailable refuge, using the metaphor of wide waters that are too broad for enemy ships to cross. This verse reassures the people that, unlike other cities vulnerable to attack by river or sea, Jerusalem will be kept safe by God Himself.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 33:21

  • "glorious" (אַדִּיר, addir, H117): This word means majestic or noble, emphasizing the LORD’s splendor and power as the one who protects His people.
  • "broad" (רָחָב, rachav, H7342): This word means wide or spacious, highlighting the vastness and sufficiency of God’s protection, not a narrow or easily breached barrier.
  • "galley" (צִי, tsi, H590) and "oars" (שַׁיִט, shayit, H7885): These words refer to warships powered by oars, common in ancient warfare. The verse stresses that no such enemy vessel will threaten God’s people in this place.
  • "gallant" (אַדִּיר, addir, H117) and "ship" (אֳנִיָּה, oniyyah, H6716): The repetition of "addir" for both the LORD and the enemy ships contrasts God’s true majesty with the supposed might of human armies.

Why Isaiah 33:21 matters

  • Isaiah 33:21 clarifies that Jerusalem’s safety does not come from natural defenses like rivers or military strength, but from the LORD’s own presence.
  • The verse uses imagery familiar to Isaiah’s audience—rivers as both blessing and threat—to show that God’s protection is both abundant and impenetrable.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah 33 of God overturning threats and bringing lasting peace, highlighting the difference between human power and divine security.