Isaiah 33

“Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“O LORD , be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time…” The line’s distinctive content terms include gracious, LORD, morning. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered.” The line’s distinctive content terms include fled, lifting, nations. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.” Naming Zion keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and…” Naming Bashan and Carmel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now will I rise, saith the LORD ; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.” The line’s distinctive content terms include exalted, lift, LORD. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands…” The line’s distinctive content terms include blood, bribes, despiseth. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey…” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.