And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.

ISAIAH 33:4KJV
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Isaiah 33:4 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 33:4 mean?

Isaiah 33:4 describes how the wealth or possessions ("spoil") of a defeated people will be quickly gathered up by others, just as swarms of insects like caterpillars and locusts rapidly consume what is in their path. The verse paints a vivid picture of complete and sudden loss for those being judged.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Judah about the downfall of their enemies, likely the Assyrians who had threatened Jerusalem. The imagery of insects running to and fro emphasizes how thoroughly and eagerly the victors will seize everything left behind, leaving nothing untouched. This verse highlights the total reversal of fortune for those who once seemed powerful.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 33:4

  • "spoil" (שָׁלָל, shalal, H7998) refers to plunder or loot taken after a victory in battle. The use of this word shows that the focus is on material gain after defeat.
  • "gathered" (אָסַף, asaf, H622) means to collect or bring together, emphasizing the thoroughness with which the spoil will be taken.
  • "gathering" (מַאַסֵף, ma'asef, H625) is related to the act of collecting, here likened to the way insects gather food or resources.
  • "caterpiller" (חָסִיל, chasil, H2625) and "locusts" (גָּב, gav, H1357) both refer to destructive insects known for swarming and consuming crops quickly. Their mention highlights the speed and completeness of the gathering.
  • "run" (שָׁעַט, sha'at, H8264) carries the sense of rushing or darting about, which adds to the image of frantic, unstoppable movement as the spoil is seized.

Why Isaiah 33:4 matters

  • Isaiah 33:4 clears up that the loss described is not gradual or partial, but sudden and total, using the imagery of insects to stress how nothing will be left behind.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme in Isaiah 33 of God's judgment turning the tables on the oppressors, showing that those who once took spoil will themselves be plundered.
  • The use of vivid, everyday images makes the warning and promise more relatable and memorable to its original audience, emphasizing the certainty and completeness of the coming change.

Where else these words appear

“gathering” Hebrew H625 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 32:10 Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.
  • Micah 7:1 Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.

“caterpiller” Hebrew H2625 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:37 If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be;
  • 2 Chronicles 6:28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
  • Joel 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.

“run” Hebrew H8264 · used in 6 verses

  • Psalms 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
  • Proverbs 28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
  • Joel 2:9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

“spoil” Hebrew H7998 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
  • 1 Samuel 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
  • Proverbs 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.