Isaiah 33:15

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

He that walketh {H1980} righteously {H6666}, and speaketh {H1696} uprightly {H4339}; he that despiseth {H3988} the gain {H1215} of oppressions {H4642}, that shaketh {H5287} his hands {H3709} from holding {H8551} of bribes {H7810}, that stoppeth {H331} his ears {H241} from hearing {H8085} of blood {H1818}, and shutteth {H6105} his eyes {H5869} from seeing {H7200} evil {H7451};

He whose life is right and whose speech is straight, he who scorns getting rich by extortion, he who shakes his hands free of bribes, stops his ears against talk of bloodshed and shuts his eyes against looking at evil.

He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil—

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from taking a bribe, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from looking upon evil:

Commentary on Isaiah 33:15 (KJV)

Isaiah 33:15 beautifully describes the character of the righteous individual who can stand before a holy God and dwell in His presence, serving as a direct answer to the challenging question posed in Isaiah 33:14: "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" This verse paints a vivid picture of moral purity and integrity.

Context

The book of Isaiah is rich with prophecy concerning both judgment and salvation. Chapter 33 specifically addresses the impending judgment on Assyria, Judah's oppressor, and simultaneously offers promises of divine deliverance and restoration for God's people. In this context, the Lord's presence is described as a "devouring fire" for the wicked, but a source of security and peace for the righteous. Verse 15 outlines the specific qualities of those who will experience this security, contrasting them sharply with the corrupt and ungodly.

Key Themes

  • Righteous Living and Integrity: The verse emphasizes a comprehensive righteousness that encompasses actions, words, and even internal thoughts and desires. It's not just about outward conformity but a deep-seated commitment to what is right. This echoes the call for justice and righteousness found throughout the prophetic books, such as in Micah 6:8.
  • Rejection of Corruption: A prominent theme is the active refusal of illicit gain and unethical practices. This includes despising "the gain of oppressions" (wealth acquired through injustice or exploitation) and shaking "his hands from holding of bribes," demonstrating a clear, decisive stand against corruption in all its forms.
  • Purity of Mind and Senses: The righteous person actively guards their senses from evil influences. They "stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood," implying a refusal to listen to schemes of violence, gossip, or anything that promotes harm. Likewise, they "shutteth his eyes from seeing evil," indicating a deliberate turning away from temptation, injustice, or anything that would defile their thoughts or actions. This suggests a proactive pursuit of holiness, not merely passive avoidance.
  • Divine Security and Blessing: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the preceding and subsequent verses (Isaiah 33:14, 16) confirm that those who embody these characteristics will dwell securely, protected and provided for by God. This aligns with promises of blessing for the upright found elsewhere, like in Psalm 91:1.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used convey strong, active choices:

  • "He that walketh righteously" (הֹלֵךְ צְדָקוֹת - *holekh tsedaqot*): This literally means "one who walks righteousnesses" or "deeds of righteousness," emphasizing a consistent, ongoing lifestyle of just and upright actions.
  • "And speaketh uprightly" (וְדֹבֵר מֵישָׁרִים - *v'dover meisharim*): Implies speaking truthfully, honestly, and straightforwardly, without deceit or crookedness.
  • "That despiseth the gain of oppressions": The verb used here (מַאֵס - *ma'es*) means to utterly reject or scorn, indicating a strong moral disgust for ill-gotten wealth.
  • "That shaketh his hands from holding of bribes": A vivid idiom signifying a complete and decisive refusal to accept bribes, as if shaking off dirt or contamination.
  • "That stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil": These are deliberate, volitional acts of self-control, demonstrating a conscious effort to guard the heart and mind from corrupting influences. This isn't about ignorance, but about moral discipline and a refusal to participate in or condone wickedness.

Practical Application

Isaiah 33:15 offers timeless principles for righteous living in any age. It calls believers to:

  • Live with Integrity: Our actions and words should consistently reflect honesty and justice. This applies to our personal lives, our workplaces, and our communities.
  • Resist Corruption: Actively reject any form of ill-gotten gain, whether through exploitation, fraud, or bribery. Christians are called to be above reproach in financial dealings.
  • Guard Your Senses: Be intentional about what you allow yourself to hear and see. In an age saturated with media, this means discerningly choosing what content to consume, turning away from that which promotes violence, immorality, or injustice, and instead focusing on "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest..." as encouraged in Philippians 4:8.
  • Seek Holiness: The verse demonstrates that holiness is an active pursuit, requiring deliberate choices to turn away from evil and embrace righteousness. It is a commitment to a lifestyle that honors God.

Ultimately, this verse reassures us that those who strive for such a life of purity and integrity will find their security and dwelling place with the holy God, even amidst the fiery judgments of the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 119:37

    ¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.

  • 1 John 3:7

    Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

  • Ephesians 5:11

    And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].

  • Ephesians 5:13

    But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

  • Psalms 1:1

    ¶ Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

  • Psalms 1:3

    And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

  • Titus 2:11

    ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

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