Isaiah 33:24

And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein [shall be] forgiven [their] iniquity.

And the inhabitant {H7934} shall not say {H559}, I am sick {H2470}: the people {H5971} that dwell {H3427} therein shall be forgiven {H5375} their iniquity {H5771}.

No inhabitant will say, "I am ill"; the people living there will be forgiven their sin.

And no resident of Zion will say, โ€œI am sick.โ€ The people who dwell there will be forgiven of iniquity.

And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

Commentary

Isaiah 33:24 paints a beautiful picture of holistic restoration for God's people in His future kingdom. It promises a state of complete well-being, where physical ailments are absent and, most significantly, where spiritual iniquity is fully forgiven. This verse offers a profound glimpse into the blessed conditions of Zion under divine rule, emphasizing that true health and peace stem from a reconciled relationship with God.

Context

Isaiah 33 is a prophetic chapter that begins with a lament over the desolation caused by an oppressor (likely Assyria), followed by a majestic declaration of God's power and ultimate triumph. It transitions from judgment to a powerful vision of God's salvation and the security of His people. The preceding verses in chapter 33 describe God as a mighty deliverer and judge, who will establish righteousness and peace in Zion. Verse 24 serves as a culminating promise, describing the perfect state of those who dwell securely in God's presence, free from the curses of sin and sickness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Healing and Wholeness: The declaration "the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick" speaks to a future where physical suffering and infirmity are eradicated. This points to a complete physical well-being and freedom from disease, a stark contrast to the present human condition. It suggests that in God's perfect order, sickness, a consequence of the fallen world, will be no more.
  • Complete Forgiveness of Iniquity: The core promise, "the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity," highlights the spiritual foundation of this blessed state. It underscores that the ultimate cause of human suffering and imperfection is sin. God's complete forgiveness removes the guilt and penalty of sin, paving the way for true peace and wholeness. This divine act of pardon is the source of all other blessings, including physical health.
  • Eschatological Hope and Messianic Age: This verse, along with others in Isaiah, points forward to an ideal, future ageโ€”often understood as the Messianic kingdom or the new heavens and new earth. It describes a time when God's people will live in perfect harmony with Him, experiencing the full benefits of His covenant promises without the lingering effects of sin or the presence of suffering.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sick" is `ื—ึธืœึธื”` (chalah), which means to be weak, ill, or grieved. Its negation in this verse emphasizes a state of complete physical soundness and freedom from distress. The word for "iniquity" is `ืขึธื•ึนืŸ` (avon), which signifies perversity, guilt, or the punishment for sin. The promise that it "shall be forgiven" (from `ื ึธืฉึธื‚ื` - nasa, meaning to lift, bear, or take away) signifies a complete removal of guilt and condemnation, leading to a profound state of spiritual peace and reconciliation with God.

Related Scriptures

  • This vision of a world without sickness and sorrow resonates strongly with the New Testament's description of the eternal state. For instance, Revelation 21:4 promises that in the new creation, God "shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."
  • The close link between forgiveness and healing is also seen in Psalm 103:3, which extols God as the one "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."
  • The promise of God's people being fully forgiven and their sins remembered no more is a hallmark of the new covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31:34, where God declares, "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

Practical Application

Isaiah 33:24 offers profound hope and comfort for believers today. It reminds us that God's ultimate plan is one of complete restoration, addressing both our spiritual and physical needs. While we still live in a world afflicted by sickness and sin, this verse assures us of a glorious future. It highlights the absolute necessity of God's forgiveness as the foundation for true well-being and encourages us to eagerly anticipate the day when mortality will be swallowed up by life, and we will experience the fullness of God's redemptive power, free from all the consequences of a fallen world.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash 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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 50:20 (10 votes)

    In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

  • 1 John 1:7 (9 votes)

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

  • 1 John 1:9 (9 votes)

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Revelation 21:4 (9 votes)

    And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

  • Isaiah 44:22 (9 votes)

    I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

  • James 5:14 (8 votes)

    Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

  • Isaiah 58:8 (8 votes)

    ยถ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.