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Interpretation of Isaiah 33:6 and the Fear of the Lord

Interpretation of Isaiah 33:6

Isaiah 33:6 states, "And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure" (KJV) [1]. This verse is part of a larger passage that contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked, emphasizing the security and blessings that come from revering God.

Literary Context

Isaiah 33 is a chapter that oscillates between pronouncements of judgment on the wicked and promises of salvation for the righteous. The surrounding verses describe a time of turmoil and distress, followed by God's intervention to save His people. The chapter begins with a woe oracle against a destroyer who will himself be destroyed (Isaiah 33:1), and it concludes with a description of the security and prosperity that will characterize the redeemed community.

Historical Setting

The historical context of Isaiah 33 is likely the Assyrian crisis during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah (late 8th century BCE), although the chapter's themes and imagery are not limited to this specific period [1]. The passage reflects a situation where God's people are facing significant threats and are in need of reassurance about their future.

Key Terms

The phrase "fear of the Lord" is a crucial term in Isaiah 33:6. This concept is not unique to Isaiah but is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. The "fear of the Lord" is understood as a reverential awe or piety that includes trust, obedience, and worship. It is described as the "beginning of wisdom" in Proverbs 1:7 and Job 28:28 [2].

Interpretation of "Fear of the Lord"

The interpretation of "fear of the Lord" in Isaiah 33:6 varies across different traditions. In Jewish tradition, Rashi interprets the "fear of the Lord" as a treasure that God opens up for those who fear Him, indicating a reciprocal relationship where God rewards those who reverence Him [3]. The Babylonian Talmud emphasizes the value of fearing Heaven, citing Isaiah 33:6 to illustrate that this fear is considered a treasure by God [4, 5, 6].

In Christian tradition, John Calvin associates the fear of the Lord with a reverence that prevents believers from indulging in vain confidence and encourages them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling [8]. Augustine, in his exposition on Psalms, links the fear of the Lord to the beginning of wisdom and understanding, highlighting its role in avoiding hell and seeking God's promises [9].

Range of Interpretations

The Targum Jonathan paraphrases Isaiah 33:6 to emphasize that the treasure of God's goodness is prepared for those who fear the Lord, underscoring the idea that fearing God is a prerequisite for receiving divine blessings [7]. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, discusses the gift of fear in the context of Christ's human nature, suggesting that fear is related to the perception of a potential evil and the power of the one who can inflict it [10].

Function in Tradition

Isaiah 33:6 has been used in various contexts within Jewish and Christian traditions. In Jewish liturgy and teaching, the verse is cited to emphasize the importance of fearing God. In Christian theology, the concept of fearing the Lord is seen as a fundamental aspect of the religious life, encouraging reverence, humility, and obedience.

The emphasis on the "fear of the Lord" as a treasure in Isaiah 33:6 highlights its significance as a virtue or attitude that is highly valued by God. This interpretation is consistent across various traditions, which see the fear of the Lord as a foundational element of a life lived in accordance with God's will.

The understanding of Isaiah 33:6 and its emphasis on the fear of the Lord continues to influence theological discussions and religious practices, serving as a reminder of the importance of reverence and trust in God.

Sources

  1. Isaiah “Isaiah 33:6 (KJV) — And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fear of the Lord the — Is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Comp. Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen. 31:42, 53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1; Phil. 2:12; Eph. 5:21; Heb. 12:28, 29).”
  3. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Isaiah 33:6: fear of the Lord That you shall fear Him - that is a good treasure to open up for you from before Him.”
  4. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 33b.24: The verse says: What does the Lord your God ask of you other than to fear the Lord your God. The Gemara asks: Is fear of Heaven a minor matter that it can be presented as if God is not asking anything significant? Didn’t Rabbi Ḥanina say in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: The Holy One, Blessed be He, has nothing in his treasury other than a treasure of fear of Heaven, as it is stated: “Fear of the Lord is his treasure” (Isaiah 33:6). The Lord values and treasures fear of Heaven over all else.”
  5. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 128b.66:24: The verse says: What does the Lord your God ask of you other than to fear the Lord your God. The Gemara asks: Is fear of Heaven a minor matter that it can be presented as if God is not asking anything significant? Didn’t Rabbi Ḥanina say in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: The Holy One, Blessed be He, has nothing in his treasury other than a treasure of fear of Heaven, as it is stated: “Fear of the Lord is his treasure” (Isaiah 33:6). The Lord values and treasures fear of Heaven over all else.”
  6. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 128a.66:24: The verse says: What does the Lord your God ask of you other than to fear the Lord your God. The Gemara asks: Is fear of Heaven a minor matter that it can be presented as if God is not asking anything significant? Didn’t Rabbi Ḥanina say in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: The Holy One, Blessed be He, has nothing in his treasury other than a treasure of fear of Heaven, as it is stated: “Fear of the Lord is his treasure” (Isaiah 33:6). The Lord values and treasures fear of Heaven over all else.”
  7. Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on Isaiah 33:6: And it shall come to pass, whatever good Thou hast promised to them that fear Thee, Thou wilt bring and establish it in its time: strength and salvation, wisdom and knowledge. For them that fear the Lord, the treasure of His goodness is prepared.”
  8. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: and so abused the goodness of God to their own destruction. But though you should hold that the words were addressed to elect believers, no inconsistency will follow. It is one thing, in order to prevent believers from indulging vain confidence, to repress the temerity which, from the remains of the flesh, sometimes gains upon them, and it is another thing to strike terror into their consciences, and prevent them from feeling secure in the mercy of God. 23. Then, when he bids us work out our salvation with fear and trembling, all h”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXI. (1) (part 5): avoid hell; before thou longest for a God who promiseth, beware of one who threateneth. For "holy and reverend is His Name." 7. ... "The fear of the Lord," therefore, "is the beginning of wisdom." "Understanding is good" (ver. 10). Who gainsayeth? But to understand, and not to do, is dangerous. It is "good," therefore, "to those that do there after." Nor let it lift up the mind unto pride; for, "the praise of Him," the fear of whom is the beginning of wisdom, "endureth for ever:" and this will be the reward, this the end,”
  10. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Grace of Christ as an Individual Man, Art. 6: Article: Whether in Christ there was the gift of fear? I answer that, As was said above (FS, Question [42], Article [1]), fear regards two objects, one of which is an evil causing terror; the other is that by whose power an evil can be inflicted, as we fear the king inasmuch as he has the power of putting to death. Now whoever can hurt would not be feared unless he had a certain greatness of might, to which resistance could not easily be offered; for what we easily repel we do not fear. An”
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