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Isaiah 33:17

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Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

Thine eyes {H5869} shall see {H2372} the king {H4428} in his beauty {H3308}: they shall behold {H7200} the land {H776} that is very far off {H4801}.

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty, they will gaze on a land stretching into the distance.

Your eyes will see the King in His beauty and behold a land that stretches afar.

Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold a land that reacheth afar.

Commentary

Isaiah 33:17 offers a profound vision of future hope and divine promise, appearing in a chapter that transitions from judgment on Judah's enemies to assurance of God's protection and restoration for His people. This verse speaks directly to those who have endured hardship and oppression, promising a glorious future.

Context

Chapter 33 of Isaiah opens with a "woe" to the oppressor, likely referring to Assyria, which severely threatened Jerusalem during King Hezekiah's reign. The chapter then shifts dramatically to a prayer for deliverance, followed by God's powerful response of salvation and judgment against the wicked. Verses 14-16 describe the terror of sinners and the security of the righteous, emphasizing that only those who walk uprightly will dwell with God. Isaiah 33:17 immediately follows these descriptions, painting a vivid picture of the blessed future awaiting the faithful, contrasting sharply with the fear and insecurity of the unrighteous.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance and Hope: The verse is a powerful promise of rescue and a brighter future for God's faithful. It assures them that their suffering and current tribulations will not be permanent.
  • The King in His Beauty: This refers to the righteous king who will ultimately reign. While it might have had an immediate fulfillment in King Hezekiah after Jerusalem's miraculous deliverance from Assyria, its ultimate and more profound meaning points to the Messianic King, Jesus Christ. Seeing Him "in his beauty" signifies beholding His glory, majesty, and perfect righteousness, a vision of God's presence and reign that far surpasses any earthly splendor.
  • A Glimpse of the Eternal Home: "They shall behold the land that is very far off" carries dual significance. It could refer to the restoration of Judah to a secure, peaceful homeland after exile or invasion. More deeply, it speaks to an eschatological hope – the vision of a spiritual or heavenly homeland, a new creation, or the new heavens and new earth, which seems distant from our present reality but is a sure promise. It speaks to the ultimate destination of the righteous, free from earthly troubles.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "beauty" here, בְּיָפְיוֹ (b'yofyo), implies more than just physical attractiveness; it encompasses splendor, majesty, and perfection. To see the King in this "beauty" is to see Him in His full glory and divine authority. The phrase "land that is very far off" (אֶרֶץ מֶרְחַקִּים, eretz merchaqqim) literally means "land of distances" or "distant land," emphasizing its remote or future nature, making the promise of beholding it all the more significant.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 33:17 serves as a powerful source of encouragement and a reminder of our ultimate hope. In times of distress, uncertainty, or injustice, this verse directs our eyes beyond immediate circumstances to the sovereign reign of God. It assures us that one day, we will fully experience the presence of our glorious King and dwell in a promised land free from sorrow and strife. This vision inspires patience, faithfulness, and a longing for the fulfillment of God's eternal kingdom, encouraging us to live righteously as we await His glorious appearing.

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

  • Zechariah 9:17 (5 votes)

    For how great [is] his goodness, and how great [is] his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18 (4 votes)

    While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.

  • John 14:21 (4 votes)

    He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

  • 1 John 3:2 (4 votes)

    Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

  • Isaiah 6:5 (3 votes)

    ¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

  • John 1:14 (3 votes)

    And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

  • John 17:24 (3 votes)

    Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.