Isaiah 33:9

KJV

The earth mourneth [and] languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed [and] hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off [their fruits].

KJV (with Strong's)

The earth {H776} mourneth {H56} and languisheth {H535}: Lebanon {H3844} is ashamed {H2659} and hewn down {H7060}: Sharon {H8289} is like a wilderness {H6160}; and Bashan {H1316} and Carmel {H3760} shake off {H5287} their fruits.

Complete Jewish Bible

The land is mourning and wilting away. The L'vanon is withering with shame. The Sharon has become like the 'Aravah. Bashan and Karmel have been shaken bare.

Berean Standard Bible

The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is ashamed and decayed. Sharon is like a desert; Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.

American Standard Version

The land mourneth and languisheth; Lebanon is confounded and withereth away; Sharon is like a desert; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 33:9 graphically depicts a land overwhelmed by desolation and sorrow, employing vivid personification of natural regions to convey the severity of an impending crisis. This verse serves as a lament over the widespread blight affecting the earth, Lebanon, Sharon, Bashan, and Carmel, symbolizing a profound loss of vitality, beauty, and productivity, likely in the wake of divine judgment or foreign invasion, setting a somber stage for the subsequent promises of God's redemptive intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 33 opens with a woe oracle against the "destroyer" (likely Assyria), promising that the oppressor will eventually be destroyed in turn. The preceding verses (e.g., [Isaiah 33:7](/isaiah/33-7 "Isaiah 33:7 - Ambassadors Weep") and [Isaiah 33:8](/isaiah/33-8 "Isaiah 33:8 - Broken Covenant")) describe the immediate distress and despair: "behold, their valiant ones cry without; the ambassadors of peace weep bitterly. The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man." This paints a picture of societal collapse and widespread fear caused by an invading force that has disregarded treaties and devastated the land. Verse 9 extends this lament from the human realm to the natural world itself, showing that the very earth shares in the suffering and desolation, thereby intensifying the portrayal of the crisis before the prophetic shift towards God's eventual deliverance and establishment of Zion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies in Isaiah 33 are generally understood to be set against the backdrop of the Assyrian invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah, specifically the campaign of Sennacherib around 701 BCE. This period was marked by immense political instability, military threats, and a crisis of faith for Judah. The Assyrians were a formidable military power known for their brutal conquest tactics, which often involved widespread destruction of land, cities, and agricultural resources. The regions mentioned—Lebanon, Sharon, Bashan, and Carmel—were renowned throughout the ancient Near East for their distinct natural beauty, fertility, and agricultural bounty. Lebanon was famous for its majestic cedars, Sharon for its fertile plains and pastures, Bashan for its rich grazing lands and oaks, and Carmel for its lush vineyards and olive groves. Their transformation into a state of "mourning," "shame," and "wilderness" would have been a profoundly shocking and culturally resonant image of utter ruin, signifying the complete reversal of prosperity and divine blessing.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Desolation**, portraying the devastating consequences of sin and human rebellion, whether directly from God or through the instrument of an invading army. The desolation of the land is a common motif for divine displeasure (e.g., [Jeremiah 12:4](/jeremiah/12-4 "Jeremiah 12:4 - Land Mourns")). Secondly, it highlights the **Interconnectedness of Creation and Humanity's Fate**, showing that the natural world suffers alongside its inhabitants during times of crisis, reflecting the profound impact of human actions and divine judgment on the entire created order. This personification emphasizes the depth of the calamity. Finally, by depicting such extreme desolation, the verse sets a dramatic stage for the contrasting theme of **God's Ultimate Restoration and Renewal**. The severity of the current suffering makes the subsequent promises of a transformed land, where "the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose" ([Isaiah 35:1](/isaiah/35-1 "Isaiah 35:1 - Wilderness Blossoms")), even more potent and hopeful.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mourneth (Hebrew, _ʼâbal'_):** From H56, a primitive root meaning "to bewail; lament, mourn." In this context, it signifies a deep, pervasive sorrow that afflicts the very earth, personifying the land as grieving. This is not merely a physical decay but an emotional response, indicating the profound impact of the calamity.
* **Ashamed (Hebrew, _châphêr'_):** From H2659, a primitive root meaning "to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach." When applied to Lebanon, it suggests a loss of its renowned glory and majesty, as if it has been humiliated or stripped of its dignity through being "hewn down." It implies a public disgrace or a profound sense of failure in its natural splendor.
* **Shake off (Hebrew, _nâʻar'_):** From H5287, a primitive root meaning "to tumble about; shake (off, out, self), overthrow, toss up and down." For Bashan and Carmel, this vividly describes the violent removal of their fruits, symbolizing a catastrophic loss of productivity, abundance, and their very purpose. It suggests a forceful, destructive act that leaves them barren and unproductive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The earth mourneth and languisheth:"** This opening clause establishes the pervasive nature of the desolation. The entire land, personified as a living entity, is depicted as experiencing deep grief and a state of weakening or decay. "Mourneth" (H56) conveys a profound, active lament, while "languisheth" (H535) suggests a gradual fading, a loss of strength and vitality, as if the land itself is sick and wasting away. This sets a somber tone for the specific examples that follow.
* **"Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down:"** Lebanon, famous for its majestic cedars and symbolic of strength and grandeur, is portrayed as experiencing shame (H2659) and being cut down (H7060). This signifies not just physical destruction (the felling of its glorious trees) but also a loss of its inherent dignity and beauty, as if it has been humiliated and stripped bare. Its former glory is now a source of disgrace.
* **"Sharon is like a wilderness;"** Sharon, known for its fertile coastal plain, lush pastures, and vibrant flowers, is contrasted sharply with its current state. To become "like a wilderness" (H6160) implies a complete and devastating transformation from a place of beauty and abundance into a barren, desolate, and unproductive wasteland. This highlights the severity of the ecological and agricultural ruin.
* **"and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits."** Bashan, famed for its rich grazing lands and sturdy oaks, and Carmel, renowned for its lush vegetation, vineyards, and olive groves, are depicted as violently losing their produce. "Shake off their fruits" (H5287) vividly conveys a forceful and destructive act, resulting in barrenness and a complete cessation of their natural productivity. This signifies the utter collapse of agricultural prosperity and the loss of the very sustenance they provided.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 33:9 is rich in **Personification**, a central literary device that imbues inanimate geographical features with human emotions and actions. The "earth mourneth and languisheth," Lebanon "is ashamed," and Bashan and Carmel "shake off their fruits," transforming these regions into sentient beings experiencing sorrow, humiliation, and distress. This technique amplifies the emotional impact of the desolation, making the suffering palpable and universal. The verse also employs powerful **Imagery**, creating vivid mental pictures of a once-flourishing land now in ruins: majestic cedars "hewn down," a fertile plain turned into a "wilderness," and abundant fruit trees violently "shaking off their fruits." This stark contrast between past glory and present devastation is a form of **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the catastrophic extent of the calamity. Furthermore, the selection of these specific, well-known, and highly valued regions (Lebanon, Sharon, Bashan, Carmel) serves as a **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where these parts represent the entire land of Israel, emphasizing that no part, however beautiful or fertile, is spared from the widespread judgment or destruction. The cumulative effect of these devices is a profound lament that underscores the severity of the crisis.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 33:9 powerfully underscores the theological principle that sin and judgment have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only human society but also the natural world. The desolation described is a tangible manifestation of a broken covenant and divine displeasure, reflecting God's response to human wickedness and the chaos it unleashes. This lament over the land's suffering aligns with broader biblical themes of creation groaning under the weight of sin, awaiting redemption. While a scene of despair, it serves as a necessary precursor to the glorious promises of restoration that follow in Isaiah, where God's ultimate plan is to bring flourishing and renewal even to the most desolate places, demonstrating His sovereignty over both judgment and salvation.

* [Jeremiah 12:11](/jeremiah/12-11 "Jeremiah 12:11 - Land Desolate")
* [Hosea 4:3](/hosea/4-3 "Hosea 4:3 - Land Mourns")
* [Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 33:9 serves as a potent reminder of the profound interconnectedness between human actions, divine justice, and the state of the natural world. The vivid imagery of a land mourning and languishing challenges us to consider the far-reaching consequences of sin, conflict, and societal brokenness, which extend beyond human suffering to impact the very environment that sustains us. It prompts introspection on our stewardship of creation and the ways in which our collective choices, whether in disobedience or in pursuit of peace, can either bring flourishing or desolation. While the initial picture is bleak, this verse ultimately sets the stage for the powerful hope of God's redemptive work. It encourages us to lament over the brokenness of the world, but also to look forward with faith to the promised renewal, understanding that even in the deepest valleys of despair, God's ultimate plan is one of restoration and abundant life, where the wilderness will blossom and the barren places will bear fruit. This perspective calls us to cultivate hope, engage in acts of healing and reconciliation, and participate in God's ongoing work of bringing beauty out of ashes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the personification of the earth and natural regions in this verse deepen your understanding of the impact of human sin and conflict?**
* **What parallels can you draw between the desolation described here and contemporary environmental or societal challenges?**
* **How does the promise of future restoration (e.g., in Isaiah 35) provide hope when contemplating scenes of widespread suffering and desolation?**
* **In what ways can believers participate in God's work of bringing healing and flourishing to broken places, both physically and spiritually?**

### FAQ

**What caused the desolation described in Isaiah 33:9?**

Answer: While Isaiah 33:9 itself describes the *effect* of desolation, the broader context of Isaiah 33 points to two primary causes. Historically, it refers to the devastating impact of the Assyrian invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah, which brought widespread destruction, famine, and societal collapse. Theologically, this desolation is also understood as a consequence of divine judgment against the wickedness and unfaithfulness of God's people and the oppressive actions of foreign nations. The land's suffering is a reflection of the spiritual and moral state of its inhabitants and the unfolding of God's righteous judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 33:9 vividly portrays a land in lament and desolation under judgment, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the profound contrast between this fallen state and the new creation inaugurated by Jesus Christ. The "earth mourneth and languisheth" due to the curse of sin (as seen in [Genesis 3:17-18](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17-18 - The Curse on the Ground")), and the desolation of Lebanon, Sharon, Bashan, and Carmel symbolizes the pervasive impact of sin and judgment on creation. However, in Christ, this lament is transformed into a song of redemption. Jesus, the true [vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine") and source of life, brings spiritual and ultimately physical renewal. His atoning work on the cross not only redeems humanity but also initiates the restoration of all creation, which "groans" awaiting its liberation from bondage to decay ([Romans 8:21-22](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21-22 - Creation Set Free")). The promised flourishing of the wilderness in Isaiah 35, where "the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose," finds its ultimate reality in the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no more mourning or crying ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")). Christ's triumph over sin and death ensures that the desolation depicted in Isaiah 33:9 is not the final word, but rather a prelude to the glorious, fruitful, and eternally vibrant creation that will be fully realized in His kingdom, where He makes "all things new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - All Things New")).

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

Isaiah 35:2

It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God.

Nahum 1:4

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

Isaiah 65:10

And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

Isaiah 14:8

Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, [saying], Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

Micah 7:14

¶ Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily [in] the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed [in] Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

Isaiah 24:4

The earth mourneth [and] fadeth away, the world languisheth [and] fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

Isaiah 24:6

Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.