Isaiah 33:18
New International Version
In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror: “Where is that chief officer? Where is the one who took the revenue? Where is the officer in charge of the towers?”

New Living Translation
You will think back to this time of terror, asking, “Where are the Assyrian officers who counted our towers? Where are the bookkeepers who recorded the plunder taken from our fallen city?”

English Standard Version
Your heart will muse on the terror: “Where is he who counted, where is he who weighed the tribute? Where is he who counted the towers?”

Berean Standard Bible
Your mind will ponder the former terror: “Where is he who tallies? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?”

King James Bible
Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?

New King James Version
Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is the scribe? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?”

New American Standard Bible
Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is one who counts? Where is one who weighs? Where is one who counts the towers?”

NASB 1995
Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is he who counts? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?”

NASB 1977
Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is he who counts? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is he who counts? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?”

Amplified Bible
Your mind will meditate on the terror [asking]: “Where is he who counts? Where is he who weighs [the tribute]? Where is he who counts the towers?”

Christian Standard Bible
Your mind will meditate on the past terror: “Where is the accountant? Where is the tribute collector? Where is the one who spied out our defenses? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Your mind will meditate on the past terror:” Where is the accountant? Where is the tribute collector? Where is the one who spied out our defenses?”

American Standard Version
Thy heart shall muse on the terror: Where is he that counted, where is he that weighed the tribute? where is he that counted the towers?

Contemporary English Version
Then you will ask yourself, "Where are those officials who terrified us and forced us to pay such heavy taxes?"

English Revised Version
Thine heart shall muse on the terror: where is he that counted, where is he that weighed the tribute? where is he that counted the towers?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Your mind will be thinking of the terrors [in the past]. Where are the scribes? Where are the tax collectors? Where are those who counted the towers?

Good News Translation
Your old fears of foreign tax collectors and spies will be only a memory.

International Standard Version
Your mind will ponder at that time of terror: 'Where is the king's accountant? Where is the one who weighed the revenue? Where is the officer who supervises the towers?'

Majority Standard Bible
Your mind will ponder the former terror: ?Where is he who tallies? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers??

NET Bible
Your mind will recall the terror you experienced, and you will ask yourselves, "Where is the scribe? Where is the one who weighs the money? Where is the one who counts the towers?"

New Heart English Bible
Your heart will meditate on the terror. Where is he who counted? Where is he who weighed? Where is he who counted the towers?

Webster's Bible Translation
Thy heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?

World English Bible
Your heart will meditate on the terror. Where is he who counted? Where is he who weighed? Where is he who counted the towers?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Your heart meditates [on] terror, "" Where [is] he who is counting? Where [is] he who is weighing? Where [is] he who is counting the towers?

Young's Literal Translation
Thy heart doth meditate terror, Where is he who is counting? Where is he who is weighing? Where is he who is counting the towers?

Smith's Literal Translation
Thy heart shall meditate terror. Where the scribe? where the weigher? where he writing the towers?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thy heart shall meditate fear: where is the learned? where is he that pondereth the words of the law? where is the teacher of little ones?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Your heart will meditate on fear. Where are the learned? Where are those who ponder the words of the law? Where are the teachers of little ones?

New American Bible
Your mind will dwell on the terror: “Where is the one who counted, where the one who weighed? Where the one who counted the towers?”

New Revised Standard Version
Your mind will muse on the terror: “Where is the one who counted? Where is the one who weighed the tribute? Where is the one who counted the towers?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Your heart shall learn reverence. Where is the scribe? Where is the weigher? Where is he who counted towers for a mighty people?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And your heart shall be taught awe. Where is the Scribe? Where is the Banker? Where is he who numbers towers for the strong people?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thy heart shall muse on the terror: 'Where is he that counted, where is he that weighed? Where is he that counted the towers?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Your soul shall meditate terror. Where are the scribes? where are the counsellors, where is he that numbers them that are growing up,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD is Exalted
17Your eyes will see the King in His beauty and behold a land that stretches afar. 18Your mind will ponder the former terror: “Where is he who tallies? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?” 19You will no longer see the insolent, a people whose speech is unintelligible, who stammer in a language you cannot understand.…

Cross References
Psalm 77:5-6
I considered the days of old, the years long in the past. / At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered:

Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.

Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.

Lamentations 3:19-21
Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall. / Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me. / Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope:

Ezekiel 20:43
There you will remember your ways and all the deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils you have done.

Psalm 77:11-12
I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. / I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.

Psalm 105:5
Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,

Psalm 106:7
Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.

Psalm 111:4
He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.

2 Peter 3:2
by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Hebrews 10:32
Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering.

1 Corinthians 11:24-25
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” / In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Luke 22:19
And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

2 Timothy 2:8
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,


Treasury of Scripture

Your heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?

heart

Isaiah 38:9
The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:

1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Psalm 31:7,8,22
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; …

where is the scribe

1 Corinthians 1:20
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

receiver.

Genesis 23:16
And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

2 Kings 15:19
And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.

2 Kings 18:14,31
And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold…

where is he

Isaiah 10:16-19
Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire…

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Cause Charge Chief Counted Counting Counts Fear Former Heart Meditate Mind Muse Officer Payments Ponder Record Revenue Scribe Terror Thought Thoughts Towers Tribute Weighed Weighing Weighs
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Cause Charge Chief Counted Counting Counts Fear Former Heart Meditate Mind Muse Officer Payments Ponder Record Revenue Scribe Terror Thought Thoughts Towers Tribute Weighed Weighing Weighs
Isaiah 33
1. God's judgments against the enemies of the church
13. The consternation of sinners, and privileges of the godly














Your mind will ponder
The phrase "Your mind will ponder" suggests a deep reflection or meditation. In the Hebrew text, the word for "mind" is "levav," which often refers to the inner self, including the heart and mind. This indicates a comprehensive contemplation, not just a fleeting thought. Historically, this reflection is on past events, possibly the Assyrian threat to Jerusalem, which was a time of great fear and anxiety. The act of pondering implies a shift from fear to understanding and gratitude for deliverance.

the former terror
"Former terror" refers to past fears and threats. The Hebrew word for "terror" is "pachad," which conveys a sense of dread or panic. In the context of Isaiah, this likely refers to the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. The use of "former" indicates that this terror is now in the past, suggesting a transition from a time of crisis to a period of peace and security. This serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness.

Where is he who tallies?
The phrase "Where is he who tallies?" evokes the image of an enemy accountant or scribe who records the spoils of war or the tribute demanded from a conquered people. The Hebrew root "safar" means to count or number. This rhetorical question implies that the oppressor, who once meticulously calculated the wealth and resources of the besieged, is no longer present. It highlights the reversal of fortunes brought about by divine intervention.

Where is he who weighs?
"Where is he who weighs?" continues the theme of absent oppressors. The act of weighing, from the Hebrew "shaqal," often relates to assessing value or imposing burdens. In ancient times, conquerors would weigh precious metals as part of their plunder. The absence of such a figure suggests liberation from economic exploitation and oppression, underscoring the theme of divine deliverance and justice.

Where is he who counts the towers?
The phrase "Where is he who counts the towers?" refers to a military assessor or strategist who evaluates the defenses of a city. The Hebrew word "moneh" means to count or reckon, and "migdal" refers to a tower, often part of a city's fortifications. This question implies that the threat to the city's security has vanished. The imagery of counting towers suggests a detailed assessment of strength and vulnerability, now rendered unnecessary by God's protection.

(18) Thine heart shall meditate terror--i.e., shall recall the memory of the past evil days, as a dream that had passed away, leaving behind it the thankful joy which rises out of such recollections.

Where is the scribe?--Then, in those times of panic, each Assyrian official was an object of dread. There was the "scribe," who fixed the amount of tribute to be paid by each village or landowner; the "receiver" (literally, weigher), who weighed the gold and silver as it was brought in for payment; the "counter of towers," who formed his plans for the operation of the "siege." In Psalm 48:13 the same phrase is used of those who defend the city.

Verse 18. - Thine heart shall meditate terror; i.e. "thou shalt look back upon the past time of terror, the dreadful period of the siege, and contrast it with thy present happiness." Mr. Cheyne quotes as an illustration, appositely enough, Virgil's "Et haec olim meminisse juvabit." Where is the scribe... the receiver?.... he that counted the towers? Where now are the Assyrian officials - the scribe, who registered the amount of the tribute and booty ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 1. p. 476); the receiver, who weighed the gold and silver carefully in a balance (Layard, 'Nineveh and its Remains,' vol. 2. p. 377); and the engineer officer who surveyed the place to be besieged, estimated its strength, and counted its towers? All have perished or have fled away in dismay.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Your mind
לִבְּךָ֖ (lib·bə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

will ponder
יֶהְגֶּ֣ה (yeh·geh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1897: To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse

the former terror:
אֵימָ֑ה (’ê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 367: Fright, an idol

“Where
אַיֵּ֤ה (’ay·yêh)
Interrogative
Strong's 346: Where?

is he who tallies?
סֹפֵר֙ (sō·p̄êr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

Where
אַיֵּ֣ה (’ay·yêh)
Interrogative
Strong's 346: Where?

is he who weighs?
שֹׁקֵ֔ל (šō·qêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8254: To suspend, poise

Where
אַיֵּ֖ה (’ay·yêh)
Interrogative
Strong's 346: Where?

is he who counts
סֹפֵ֥ר (sō·p̄êr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

the towers?”
הַמִּגְדָּלִֽים׃ (ham·miḡ·dā·lîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 33:18 Your heart will meditate on the terror (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 33:17
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