Bible Strands
Isaiah 33:13
You who are far off, hear what I have done; you who are near, acknowledge My might.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses both distant nations and near Israel, declaring His judgments immediately after describing the consumption of the peoples in Isaiah 33:12. This announcement occurs in a context where the sinners in Zion tremble at the prospect of dwelling with consuming fire (Isaiah 33:14).
The words — The verse centers on שִׁמְע֥וּ (shim.'U), literally "hear," and גְּבֻרָתִֽי (ge.vu.ra.Ti), literally "My strength." These terms command attention to the LORD's completed actions and displayed power.
The thread — The summons to remote audiences mirrors Isaiah 49:1, where islands and distant peoples are called to listen, while the near-far distinction anticipates the Gentile inclusion detailed in Ephesians 2:11. The proclamation of divine reach also aligns with Psalm 48:10, which notes His name extending to the ends of the earth.
Why it lands — The text requires both remote and close audiences to stop ignoring divine action and recognize the source of their judgment. It demands that readers acknowledge God's power operates across all distances to execute justice.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.
Cross-references
- Psalms 48:10 Your name, O God, like Your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
- Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—
- Isaiah 49:1 Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.
- Daniel 3:27 and when the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers had gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men. Not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.
- Joshua 2:9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you.
- Joshua 9:9 “Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt,
- 1 Samuel 17:46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.
- Psalms 46:6 Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.
- Psalms 97:8 Zion hears and rejoices, and the towns of Judah exult because of Your judgments, O LORD.
- Psalms 98:1 A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.