He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.
Parallel translations
- WEB There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Yahweh is your treasure.
- KJV And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
- NKJV Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure.
- NASB And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure.
- NLT In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.
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
God himself is the true security and wealth of his people, and reverent fear of him is the treasure that holds everything else together.
Overview
As Assyria threatens Judah, Isaiah promises that real stability, salvation, wisdom, and knowledge come from the Lord, not from political alliances or military strength. The fear of Yahweh is named as the treasure that secures all these blessings. This anticipates the gospel, where in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3) and the saved find their lasting riches in God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 25
- Ps 112:1–3Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.
- Prov 19:23The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
- 1 Tim 4:8For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
- Matt 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
- Prov 14:27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
- 1 Tim 6:6Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
- Isa 11:2–5The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
- Eccl 7:19Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
- Isa 51:6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.
- Ps 28:8The LORD is the strength of His people, a stronghold of salvation for His anointed.
- Ps 27:1–2Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
- Prov 24:3–7By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;
- Isa 38:5–6“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
- Eccl 7:12For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
- Prov 28:2A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
- Prov 28:15–16Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
- Eccl 9:14–18There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.
- Ps 45:4In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds.
- Prov 15:16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
- 2 Chr 32:27–29Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable articles.
- Ps 140:7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.
- Prov 29:4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
- Jer 22:15–17Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.
- 2 Cor 6:10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
- 2 Chr 32:20–21In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,
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 33:6 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.