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Isaiah 33:1

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¶ Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou [wast] not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; [and] when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

Woe {H1945} to thee that spoilest {H7703}, and thou wast not spoiled {H7703}; and dealest treacherously {H898}, and they dealt not treacherously {H898} with thee! when thou shalt cease {H8552} to spoil {H7703}, thou shalt be spoiled {H7703}; and when thou shalt make an end {H5239} to deal treacherously {H898}, they shall deal treacherously {H898} with thee.

Woe, destroyer, yourself undestroyed! Woe, betrayer, yourself unbetrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you tire of betraying, they will betray you.

Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.

Woe to thee that destroyest, and thou wast not destroyed; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! When thou hast ceased to destroy, thou shalt be destroyed; and when thou hast made an end of dealing treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

Commentary

Isaiah 33:1 (KJV) delivers a powerful prophetic declaration of divine judgment against an oppressive nation. The verse reads: "¶ Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou [wast] not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; [and] when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee."

Context

This "woe" is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah, primarily directed at the Assyrian Empire, which was a dominant and ruthless power in the ancient Near East during the prophet Isaiah's time (8th century BC). Assyria was notorious for its military conquests, plundering of nations, and breaking of treaties, often acting with unprovoked aggression and treachery. At this point in Isaiah's ministry, Judah (the southern kingdom) was under severe threat from Assyrian forces, particularly during the reign of King Hezekiah. The prophet declares that Assyria's unchecked aggression and deceit will not last; God's justice will prevail, and the oppressor will eventually suffer the very fate they inflicted upon others.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The central message is God's unwavering commitment to justice. He will not permit unrighteousness to continue indefinitely. This verse highlights the principle of sowing and reaping, where actions, good or bad, ultimately return to the doer.
  • The Law of Reciprocity: The prophecy explicitly states a direct correlation between the oppressor's actions and their future consequences. Those who plunder will be plundered; those who betray will be betrayed. This serves as a stark warning against abusing power.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: Despite the apparent invincibility of empires like Assyria, God remains the ultimate arbiter of history. He uses nations for His purposes, but also holds them accountable for their wickedness, as seen in Isaiah 10:5 where Assyria is called God's 'rod of anger', yet is also judged for its pride.
  • Consequences of Treachery: The emphasis on "dealing treacherously" underscores the severity of breaking trust and acting deceitfully. Such behavior incurs divine wrath.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "Woe" (Hebrew: Hoy) is a strong exclamation in prophetic literature, signifying a lament, a cry of distress, or a pronouncement of impending judgment and disaster. It sets a somber and serious tone.
  • "Spoilest" (Hebrew: shaddad) conveys the idea of violent destruction, devastation, and plundering. It depicts the ruthless and aggressive nature of the oppressor.
  • "Dealest treacherously" (Hebrew: bagad) speaks to betrayal, acting faithlessly, and violating covenants or agreements. It highlights the moral failing of the oppressor beyond mere physical conquest.

Practical Application

Isaiah 33:1 offers timeless lessons for individuals and nations:

  • Accountability: It serves as a powerful reminder that all actions have consequences. No one, regardless of their current power or perceived immunity, can escape divine justice indefinitely.
  • Ethical Conduct: The verse encourages integrity and warns against the temptations of greed, exploitation, and deceit. It calls for individuals and societies to uphold justice and fairness.
  • Hope for the Oppressed: For those suffering under oppression or injustice, this prophecy offers hope. It assures them that God sees their plight and that the oppressor's reign is temporary. Divine retribution, while not always immediate, is certain.
  • Trust in God's Justice: Even when human systems of justice fail, believers can trust that God's ultimate justice will prevail, ensuring that every wrong will eventually be made right, mirroring the sentiment of Romans 12:19, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

This verse encapsulates the enduring biblical principle that those who live by the sword of injustice will ultimately perish by it, affirming God's righteous character and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 7:2 (8 votes)

    For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

  • Isaiah 24:16 (4 votes)

    ¶ From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, [even] glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.

  • Isaiah 10:12 (3 votes)

    Wherefore it shall come to pass, [that] when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

  • Obadiah 1:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ For [thy] violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.

  • Obadiah 1:16 (3 votes)

    For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, [so] shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.

  • Revelation 17:17 (3 votes)

    For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

  • Isaiah 21:2 (3 votes)

    A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.