Isaiah 33:10

KJV

Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now will I rise {H6965}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; now will I be exalted {H7426}; now will I lift up {H5375} myself.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Now I will arise," says ADONAI, "Now I will exalt and lift myself up.

Berean Standard Bible

“Now I will arise,” says the LORD. “Now I will lift Myself up. Now I will be exalted.

American Standard Version

Now will I arise, saith Jehovah; now will I lift up myself; now will I be exalted.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 33:10 delivers a powerful and pivotal declaration from the LORD, marking a dramatic shift from Judah's dire circumstances of oppression and despair to an emphatic statement of divine intervention. In the face of overwhelming enemy threat and human helplessness, God Himself announces His imminent and decisive action, declaring His intent to rise, be exalted, and lift Himself up, thereby asserting His supreme sovereignty and demonstrating His glory in the deliverance of His people and the judgment of their adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 33 is situated within a series of prophecies concerning Assyria, specifically addressing the crisis faced by Judah during Sennacherib's invasion. The preceding verses [Isaiah 33:1-9](/isaiah/33-1-9 "Isaiah 33:1-9 - The Desolation of Judah") vividly depict the devastation and terror gripping the land. The "spoiler" and "treacherous dealer" [Isaiah 33:1](/isaiah/33-1 "Isaiah 33:1 - Woe to the Spoiler") refer to the Assyrians, whose ruthless actions have brought the nation to its knees. The land mourns, the highways are desolate, and the people are filled with fear and anguish. Human efforts and alliances have proven utterly futile, leaving Judah with no recourse but to cry out to the LORD [Isaiah 33:2](/isaiah/33-2 "Isaiah 33:2 - A Prayer for Mercy"). It is precisely at this point of utter human desperation and apparent divine silence that Isaiah 33:10 erupts as a thunderous, self-initiated declaration from God, promising a radical reversal of fortunes and a magnificent display of His power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 33 is the Assyrian invasion of Judah in 701 BC, led by King Sennacherib, as detailed in [2 Kings 18:13-19:37](/2_kings/18-13-37 "2 Kings 18:13-19:37 - Sennacherib's Invasion and Defeat"). Jerusalem was besieged, and many cities of Judah had already fallen. The Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, known for its brutal military tactics and policy of deportation. Judah, a small kingdom, was completely outmatched. Culturally, this period was marked by a tension between trusting in God's covenant promises and resorting to political alliances with other nations (like Egypt), which Isaiah consistently condemned as a lack of faith. The people's despair was rooted in the tangible threat of annihilation and the apparent absence of divine help, making the LORD's declaration in verse 10 a profound and unexpected turning point, shifting the focus from human failure to divine omnipotence.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 33:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**. Despite the overwhelming power of human empires, God declares His ultimate control over history and His readiness to act decisively. This is a recurring motif, where God's hand is seen in both judgment and deliverance, as also highlighted in [Isaiah 40:23-24](/isaiah/40-23-24 "Isaiah 40:23-24 - God's Sovereignty Over Rulers"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Self-Exaltation and Glory**. God's actions are not solely for the benefit of His people, but fundamentally for the vindication of His own name and the display of His unique majesty before all nations. His "rising" and "exaltation" are a demonstration of His supremacy over all earthly powers and idols, echoing themes found in [Isaiah 2:11](/isaiah/2-11 "Isaiah 2:11 - The LORD Alone Will Be Exalted"). Finally, it speaks to the theme of **Justice and Judgment**. While promising deliverance for His people, God's rising often implies a concurrent judgment against the oppressors, fulfilling His righteous decrees against wickedness, as seen in the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army later in [Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - The Angel of the LORD Strikes the Assyrian Army").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rise (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** From H6965, this primitive root means "to stand up, to take a stand," implying a decisive and immediate intervention. In this context, it signifies God's departure from a state of apparent inactivity or rest, as He prepares to confront the chaos and oppression facing Judah. It conveys a dynamic and purposeful movement towards action.
* **exalted (Hebrew, _râmam'_):** From H7426, this word means "to rise, to be lifted high, elevated, or magnified." When God declares He "will be exalted," it signifies that His inherent greatness, majesty, and power, which may have seemed obscured or diminished during Judah's suffering, will now be openly and undeniably displayed for all to see. It speaks to the conspicuous demonstration of His superior position.
* **lift up myself (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, this verb means "to lift, carry, or bear up." The reflexive nature of the phrase "lift up myself" underscores God's active, intentional, and self-initiated demonstration of His power and glory. It highlights that this action is not compelled by any external force but is fundamentally about God revealing His own character and supremacy, asserting His dominion without external aid.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now will I rise,"**: This opening clause is a dramatic and emphatic declaration. The adverb "Now" (עַתָּה, 'attah) signifies immediacy and certainty, marking a decisive turning point from a period of perceived divine inaction to one of active intervention. God is not merely observing; He is preparing to stand up and act with purpose and power, signaling an end to the current state of distress.
* **"saith the LORD;"**: This phrase functions as a divine oracle, authenticating the preceding and following declarations as direct speech from Yahweh, the personal, covenantal, and sovereign God of Israel. It reinforces the absolute authority and infallibility of the promise, distinguishing it from human speculation or wishful thinking and grounding it in the immutable character of God.
* **"now will I be exalted;"**: The repetition of "now" intensifies the sense of urgency and certainty, emphasizing the immediate nature of God's action. God's rising is intrinsically linked to His self-exaltation. His intervention is not just for the sake of His people's deliverance, but fundamentally for the display of His own majesty, supremacy, and unique glory over all earthly powers and false gods, making His preeminence clear to all.
* **"now will I lift up myself."**: This final clause reiterates and amplifies the previous two, forming a powerful crescendo. The phrase "lift up myself" (נָשָׂא נַפְשִׁי, nasa' naphshi) emphasizes God's active and self-initiated demonstration of His power and glory. It is a deliberate act of self-vindication and self-revelation, ensuring that His ultimate victory will be recognized as His doing alone, magnifying His name above all others and leaving no doubt as to the source of salvation and judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 33:10 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically of the adverb "Now" and the first-person declaration "I will." This triple repetition of "Now will I" creates a sense of urgency, immediacy, and absolute certainty regarding God's impending action. It builds a powerful rhetorical crescendo, emphasizing the divine resolve and the sudden, dramatic shift in the narrative. Furthermore, the verse employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the three verbs—"rise," "be exalted," and "lift up myself"—express similar ideas of divine action and self-manifestation. While distinct in their nuances, they collectively reinforce the singular theme of God's sovereign intervention and self-glorification, each phrase deepening the impact of the others. The phrase "saith the LORD" functions as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, lending ultimate authority and infallibility to the pronouncement, clearly identifying the speaker as Yahweh Himself. Lastly, the language uses **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions (rising, lifting oneself) to God, making His abstract power more relatable and comprehensible to the human audience, while still maintaining His transcendence and divine majesty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 33:10 is a profound theological statement on God's character, revealing Him as a God who is not passive in the face of human suffering or injustice. It asserts His active sovereignty over all creation and history, demonstrating that even when circumstances seem most bleak and human efforts have failed, God remains fully in control and capable of decisive intervention. This verse reassures believers that God's silence is not absence, and His apparent inactivity is not indifference. His "rising" is always for the purpose of upholding His righteousness, displaying His glory, and delivering His people, often through acts of judgment against those who oppose Him. It highlights that God's ultimate concern is the vindication of His own name and the demonstration of His unique power, ensuring that all creation acknowledges His supreme authority.

* [Psalm 12:5](/psalms/12-5 "God's Promise to Rise for the Oppressed")
* [Psalm 46:10](/psalms/46-10 "Be Still, and Know That I Am God")
* [Exodus 14:13-14](/exodus/14-13-14 "The LORD Will Fight for You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 33:10 offers profound spiritual nourishment for believers navigating periods of personal or collective crisis. It serves as a powerful reminder that our God is not distant or disengaged, but intimately aware of our struggles and ready to intervene. When we face overwhelming challenges—whether personal despair, societal injustice, or global turmoil—and all human solutions seem to fail, this verse calls us to shift our gaze from the magnitude of our problems to the majesty of our God. It encourages a posture of patient trust, knowing that God's "now" may not align with our immediate desires, but it is always perfectly timed for the display of His glory and the ultimate good of His people. Our faith is strengthened when we recognize that God's primary motivation in acting is His own exaltation, which inherently brings about our deliverance. This perspective transforms our trials into opportunities for God to reveal His greatness, fostering a deeper worship and reliance on His sovereign power, and cultivating a resilience rooted in divine faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or in the world do you currently long for God to "rise" and intervene?**
* **How does the declaration "Now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself" challenge your understanding of God's priorities during times of crisis?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's timing and His sovereign power when circumstances seem overwhelming?**

### FAQ

**What does "Now will I rise" signify about God's character?**

Answer: The phrase "Now will I rise" (KJV) or "Now I will arise" (ESV) signifies God's active, decisive, and self-initiated intervention. It reveals that God is not passive or indifferent to the suffering of His people or the injustice in the world. Instead, He is a God who is sovereign, just, and faithful to His covenant promises. His "rising" indicates a shift from perceived silence or inactivity to a powerful demonstration of His presence and authority, often involving judgment for the wicked and deliverance for the righteous. It underscores His omnipotence and His commitment to upholding His divine order, as seen in passages like [Psalm 7:6](/psalms/7-6 "Psalm 7:6 - Arise, O LORD, in Your Anger") and [Psalm 82:8](/psalms/82-8 "Psalm 82:8 - Arise, O God, Judge the Earth").

**How does this verse relate to the historical context of Isaiah's time?**

Answer: This verse is deeply rooted in the historical context of Judah's desperate situation during the Assyrian invasion led by King Sennacherib around 701 BC. The Assyrians were a formidable and brutal empire, and Judah was on the brink of annihilation. Human alliances had failed, and the people were filled with fear. In this moment of utter helplessness, Isaiah 33:10 serves as God's direct response to the overwhelming threat. It is a divine promise that God Himself will intervene to save Jerusalem and defeat the Assyrian army, a miraculous event later recorded in [Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - The Destruction of the Assyrian Army"). The "now" emphasizes the immediacy of God's action in that specific historical crisis, demonstrating His timely and powerful faithfulness to His covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 33:10, with its powerful declaration of God's resolve to "rise," "be exalted," and "lift up myself," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The LORD's rising in judgment and deliverance foreshadows Christ's own decisive action against the powers of sin and death. Jesus' resurrection from the dead is the supreme "rising" of God, demonstrating His victory over humanity's greatest enemies and fulfilling the promise that God would not leave His Holy One to see decay ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). His ascension to the right hand of the Father is His ultimate "exaltation" and "lifting up," where He is crowned as Lord of all, receiving all authority in heaven and on earth ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Just as God rose to deliver Judah from Assyria, Christ rose to deliver humanity from spiritual bondage, establishing a new covenant and ushering in His eternal kingdom. The future return of Christ, when He will come in glory to judge the living and the dead, will be the final and complete manifestation of God's self-exaltation, bringing perfect justice and establishing His reign forever ([Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Christ's Return in Glory") and [Matthew 25:31](/matthew/25-31 "The Son of Man Comes in Glory")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.

Psalms 102:13

Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

Psalms 102:18

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

Isaiah 59:16

¶ And he saw that [there was] no man, and wondered that [there was] no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Isaiah 59:17

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

Amos 6:1

¶ Woe to them [that are] at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, [which are] named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

Isaiah 30:17

One thousand [shall flee] at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.