Isaiah 33:9

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

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.

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.

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

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

Isaiah 33:9 vividly portrays a scene of widespread desolation and sorrow across the land. This verse, part of a prophetic oracle concerning God's judgment and eventual salvation, uses striking imagery to convey the severity of the impending calamity, likely due to Assyrian invasion or divine judgment.

Context

Chapter 33 of Isaiah shifts from a prophecy of judgment against Assyria (and eventually all oppressors) to a vision of God's ultimate deliverance of Zion. Leading up to this verse, the prophet describes the fear and despair among the people as the invaders advance, with ambassadors weeping bitterly and highways becoming desolate (Isaiah 33:7, Isaiah 33:8). Verse 9 extends this lament to the natural world itself, showing the profound impact of the crisis.

Key Themes

  • Desolation and Lament: The primary theme is the deep sorrow and decay affecting the entire land. The personification of the earth mourning highlights the profound impact of the crisis.
  • Loss of Beauty and Fertility: Lebanon, Sharon, Bashan, and Carmel were renowned for their natural splendor and agricultural richness. Their described state—"hewn down," "like a wilderness," "shake off their fruits"—emphasizes a catastrophic loss of prosperity and vitality. This imagery underscores the extent of the curse and desolation.
  • Divine Judgment: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Isaiah 33 indicates that this desolation is a consequence of God's righteous judgment against wickedness and oppression, leading to a period of great distress for the land and its inhabitants.

Linguistic and Geographical Insights

The verse employs powerful Hebrew terms to convey despair:

  • "Mourneth and languisheth": The Hebrew words for these terms, such as 'abal (mourn) and 'umal (languish), evoke a sense of deep grief, withering, and decay, as if the land itself is sick with sorrow. This is a common prophetic motif for national distress (e.g., Jeremiah 12:4).
  • Lebanon: Famous for its majestic cedars, symbolizing strength and grandeur. "Hewn down" signifies the destruction of its glory.
  • Sharon: A fertile coastal plain, known for its pastures and flowers. Becoming "like a wilderness" means a complete reversal of its natural beauty.
  • Bashan and Carmel: Bashan, east of the Jordan, was famed for its rich pasturage and oaks. Carmel, a mountain range, was known for its lush vegetation and vineyards. "Shake off their fruits" indicates a loss of productivity and abundance, a sign of agricultural ruin and barrenness. These regions represented the epitome of Israel's natural bounty, making their desolation all the more striking.

Practical Application

Isaiah 33:9 serves as a stark reminder of several truths:

  • The Fragility of Earthly Prosperity: Even the most beautiful and fruitful regions can be laid waste, highlighting the temporary nature of worldly blessings and the potential consequences of human sin or divine wrath.
  • The Impact of Conflict: The verse vividly portrays how war and instability devastate not only human lives but also the natural environment, turning flourishing lands into desolation.
  • Hope Beyond Desolation: While this verse pictures despair, it sets the stage for God's redemptive work. The book of Isaiah frequently contrasts such scenes of judgment with glorious promises of restoration, where the wilderness will blossom (Isaiah 35:2) and God will bring new life to the desolate. This reminds believers to look beyond present suffering to God's ultimate plan of renewal and flourishing (Revelation 21:4).
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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

  • Isaiah 35:2 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 24:6 (2 votes)

    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.