he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV 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.
- NASB He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.
- NLT 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The righteous person is promised security, provision, and refuge in God himself.
Overview
Those who walk uprightly will dwell on high in an unassailable fortress, with bread and water assured. The imagery of a rocky stronghold and steady provision pictures God as the safe and faithful protector of his people. It echoes the believer's confidence that God supplies every need and keeps secure all who trust in him, ultimately in Christ our refuge.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Luke 12:29–31And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.
- Isa 32:18Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.
- Prov 1:33But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”
- Isa 49:10They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.
- Ps 107:41But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks.
- Prov 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- Ps 90:1A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations.
- Ps 37:3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
- Ps 18:33He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights.
- Ps 111:5He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.
- Ps 91:14“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him.
- Hab 3:19GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights! For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments.
- Ps 33:18Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion
- Isa 25:4For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,
- Ps 34:10Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
- Isa 26:1–5In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts.
- Ps 15:1A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain?
- Ps 91:1–10He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 33:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.