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.

Where else these words appear

“oars” Hebrew H7885 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

“ship” Hebrew H6716 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 24:24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
  • Ezekiel 30:9 In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh.
  • Daniel 11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

“galley” Hebrew H590 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 9:26 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.
  • 1 Kings 9:27 And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
  • 1 Kings 10:11 And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.

“no” Hebrew H1077 · used in 8 verses

  • Psalms 10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
  • Psalms 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
  • Isaiah 14:21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.