Isaiah 33:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The enemy's ship is damaged and helpless; even the weak can gather the scattered spoils.
The Context of Isaiah 33:23
The final collapse of the oppressor's power and the restoration of the vulnerable to dignity.
What Does Isaiah 33:23 Mean?
The image of a crippled vessel—ropes loosened, mast strengthened poorly, sails unable to spread—depicts a ship rendered useless and vulnerable. This metaphor may represent the Assyrian empire itself, once mighty but now disabled by God's judgment.
The aftermath shows complete reversal of fortune: the great spoils that the mighty gathered through plunder are now divided among others, including the lame who were previously powerless. The weak now become the beneficiaries; the tables turn completely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 33:23
What does Isaiah 33:23 mean?
The enemy's ship is damaged and helpless; even the weak can gather the scattered spoils.
What is the context of Isaiah 33:23?
The final collapse of the oppressor's power and the restoration of the vulnerable to dignity.