Isaiah 33:16
New International Version
they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them.

New Living Translation
these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.

English Standard Version
he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.

Berean Standard Bible
he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.

King James Bible
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

New King James Version
He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.

New American Standard Bible
He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.

NASB 1995
He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.

NASB 1977
He will dwell on the heights; His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him; His water will be sure.

Legacy Standard Bible
He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the strongholds of the cliffs; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.

Amplified Bible
He will dwell on the heights, His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks, His bread will be given him; His water will be permanent.

Christian Standard Bible
he will dwell on the heights; his refuge will be the rocky fortresses, his food provided, his water assured.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
he will dwell on the heights; his refuge will be the rocky fortresses, his food provided, his water assured.

American Standard Version
He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; his bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

Contemporary English Version
They will live in a fortress high on a rocky cliff, where they will have food and plenty of water.

English Revised Version
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: his bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This person will live on high. His stronghold will be a fortress made of rock. He will have plenty of food and a dependable supply of water.

Good News Translation
Then you will be safe; you will be as secure as if in a strong fortress. You will have food to eat and water to drink.

International Standard Version
this is the one who will live on the heights; his refuge will be a mountain fortress. His food will be supplied, and his water will be guaranteed.

Majority Standard Bible
he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.

NET Bible
This is the person who will live in a secure place; he will find safety in the rocky, mountain strongholds; he will have food and a constant supply of water.

New Heart English Bible
he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure.

Webster's Bible Translation
He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

World English Bible
he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He inhabits high places, "" Strongholds of rock [are] his high tower, "" His bread has been given, his waters steadfast.

Young's Literal Translation
He high places doth inhabit, Strongholds of rock are his high tower, His bread hath been given, his waters stedfast.

Smith's Literal Translation
He shall dwell upon heights: the strongholds of rocks his height: his bread was given; his waters sure.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He shall dwell on high, the fortifications of rocks shall be his highness: bread is given him, his waters are sure.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Such a one will live on high; the fortification of rocks will be his lofty place. Bread has been given to him; his waters are reliable.

New American Bible
That one shall dwell on the heights, with fortresses of rock for stronghold, food and drink in steady supply.

New Revised Standard Version
they will live on the heights; their refuge will be the fortresses of rocks; their food will be supplied, their water assured.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He shall dwell on high; his place of defense shall be the precipice of rocks; his bread shall be given him; his water shall be sure.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
This one shall dwell in the high place, and his dwelling is in the strength of a cliff. His bread is given and his waters are faithful
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He shall dwell on high; His place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; His bread shall be given, his waters shall be sure.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
he shall dwell in a high cave of a strong rock: bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD is Exalted
15He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil— 16he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured. 17Your eyes will see the King in His beauty and behold a land that stretches afar.…

Cross References
Psalm 15:1-5
A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? / He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, / who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend, ...

Psalm 24:3-5
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? / He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully. / He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from the God of his salvation.

Matthew 5:3-12
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. / Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ...

Psalm 34:9-10
Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. / Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. / Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. / Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.

Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. / I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Proverbs 10:3
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked.

Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. / But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 112:1-9
Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments. / His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. / Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. ...

Psalm 121:1-8
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? / My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. / He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. ...

Isaiah 32:18
Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Luke 6:47-48
I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.


Treasury of Scripture

He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

shall dwell

Isaiah 32:18
And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

Psalm 15:1
A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psalm 90:1
A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

high.

Isaiah 26:1-5
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks…

Psalm 18:33
He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

bread

Psalm 33:18
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Psalm 34:10
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Jump to Previous
Bread Defence Defense Dwell Fortress Fortresses Heights High Inhabit Mountain Places Refuge Retreat Rock Rocks Safely Shut Stedfast Supplied Sure Tower Water Waters
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Bread Defence Defense Dwell Fortress Fortresses Heights High Inhabit Mountain Places Refuge Retreat Rock Rocks Safely Shut Stedfast Supplied Sure Tower Water Waters
Isaiah 33
1. God's judgments against the enemies of the church
13. The consternation of sinners, and privileges of the godly














He will dwell on the heights
This phrase suggests a position of safety and divine favor. In the Hebrew context, "heights" (Hebrew: "bāmôt") often symbolize a place of closeness to God, as mountains were seen as sacred places where heaven and earth meet. Historically, high places were also strategic locations for defense, indicating security and protection. Spiritually, this implies that those who are righteous and faithful will be elevated to a place of spiritual security and communion with God.

the mountain fortress will be his refuge
The imagery of a "mountain fortress" (Hebrew: "metsad") conveys strength, stability, and protection. In ancient times, fortresses were built on mountains to provide a strong defense against enemies. This phrase reassures believers that God Himself is their stronghold, offering protection against spiritual and physical adversities. It reflects the biblical theme of God as a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

his food will be provided
This promise of provision (Hebrew: "lechem") speaks to God's faithfulness in meeting the needs of His people. In the wilderness, God provided manna for the Israelites, demonstrating His ability to sustain His people in any circumstance. This assurance of provision is a reminder of God's ongoing care and the sufficiency found in Him, echoing Jesus' teaching in the New Testament that we should not worry about what we will eat or drink, for our Heavenly Father knows our needs (Matthew 6:31-32).

and his water assured
Water (Hebrew: "mayim") is a symbol of life and sustenance throughout Scripture. In a desert climate like that of ancient Israel, water was a precious and necessary resource. The assurance of water signifies not only physical sustenance but also spiritual refreshment and renewal. This promise reflects the living water that Jesus offers, which quenches spiritual thirst and leads to eternal life (John 4:14). It underscores the completeness of God's provision for those who trust in Him.

Verse 16. - He shall dwell on high; literally, inhabit heights - live, as it were, in the perpetual presence of God. His place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks; rather, strongholds of rocks (i.e. rocky strongholds) shall be his refuge. He shall fly to God, as his "Rock and his Fortress" (Psalm 18:2), not from him, as his "Enemy and Avenger" (Pc. 8:2). Bread... waters; i.e. all that is necessary for his support and sustenance. Shall be given him... shall be sure; rather, is given him... is sure. Godliness has "the promise of the life that now is," as well as that of the life "which is to come" (1 Timothy 4:8).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
he
ה֚וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will dwell
יִשְׁכֹּ֔ן (yiš·kōn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

on the heights;
מְרוֹמִ֣ים (mə·rō·w·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4791: Altitude

his refuge
מִשְׂגַּבּ֑וֹ (miś·gab·bōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4869: A secure height, retreat, stronghold

will be the mountain
סְלָעִ֖ים (sə·lā·‘îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5553: A craggy rock

fortress;
מְצָד֥וֹת (mə·ṣā·ḏō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4679: Fastness, a stronghold

his food
לַחְמ֣וֹ (laḥ·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

will be provided
נִתָּ֔ן (nit·tān)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

[and] his water
מֵימָ֖יו (mê·māw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

assured.
נֶאֱמָנִֽים׃ (ne·’ĕ·mā·nîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 539: To confirm, support


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 33:16 He will dwell on high (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 33:15
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