Structure in Isaiah 33

Isaiah 33 is arranged into two fairly neat chiasms. The first goes from verses 1-13:

A. Woe to the destroyer, v. 1

B. Prayer for mercy in time of distress, vv. 2-3

C. Yahweh exalted, vv. 5-6

B’. Land laments, vv 7-9

A’/C’. Yahweh arises, is exalted, lifts Himself, and lets distant lands know what He does, vv. 10-13

J. Alec Motyer ( The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary ) suggests this for the second part of the chapter:

A. Zion’s people repentant, vv. 14-16

B. The King’s presence, vv. 17-19

C. Zion at peace, v. 20

B’. The Lord of power, vv. 21-23

A’. Zion’s people, healed, v. 24

The first section thus focuses attention on Yahweh’s exaltation and His establishment of justice and righteousness in Zion; the second part focuses attention on the consequences for the city, now restored as a city of appointed feasts, a safe haven, an undisturbed tent.