Isaiah 47:14 kjv
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
Isaiah 47:14 nkjv
Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves From the power of the flame; It shall not be a coal to be warmed by, Nor a fire to sit before!
Isaiah 47:14 niv
Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. These are not coals for warmth; this is not a fire to sit by.
Isaiah 47:14 esv
Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before!
Isaiah 47:14 nlt
But they are like straw burning in a fire;
they cannot save themselves from the flame.
You will get no help from them at all;
their hearth is no place to sit for warmth.
Isaiah 47 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 47:14 | "Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; there shall be no coal for warmth, no fire before them for a place to sit." | Isa 10:17, Jer 51:33, Joel 2:3, Mal 4:1 |
| Job 15:35 | "They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity, and their belly prepares deceit." | Job 4:8, Job 20:14 |
| Psalm 1:4 | "The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away." | Psa 37:2, Prov 10:25, Hos 13:3 |
| Psalm 73:18-19 | "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment? they are utterly consumed with terrors." | Psa 35:5, Isa 30:30 |
| Prov 26:27 | "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return unto him." | Ecc 10:8, Gal 6:7 |
| Jer 20:12 | "But the LORD of hosts trieth the righteous, and seeth the reins and the heart: let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause." | Psa 7:9, Jer 11:20 |
| Jer 51:33 | "For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come." | Jer 50:16, Rev 14:15, Rev 18:8 |
| Ezek 15:4 | "Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire hath consumed both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned: is it meet for any work?" | Ezek 15:7, John 15:6 |
| Nah 1:10 | "For while they be folded together as thorns, and while they are drunk as drunkards, they shall be devoured as dry stubble." | Nah 1:9, 1 Cor 6:10 |
| Zeph 2:15 | "This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand." | Isa 47:8, Zeph 2:14 |
| Zech 11:2 | "Howl, O fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down." | Jer 23:1, Zech 10:5 |
| Matt 3:12 | "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." | Luke 3:17, John 3:36, Rev 19:20 |
| Luke 12:47-48 | "And that servant which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, Shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." | Luke 12:48, Heb 10:26-27 |
| 1 Cor 10:22 | "Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?" | 1 Cor 10:21, Deut 32:22 |
| Heb 10:27 | "But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." | Heb 10:26, 1 Cor 3:17, 2 Thes 1:8 |
| Rev 18:9-10 | "And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come." | Rev 17:16, Rev 18:8, Rev 18:18 |
| Rev 18:17-18 | "For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in the ships and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of the city, saying, What like unto this great city?" | Rev 17:4, Rev 18:16 |
| Deut 32:39 | "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand." | Deut 4:35, Isa 44:8, Isa 45:5 |
| Isa 47:12 | "Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail." | Isa 47:13, Jer 10:11 |
Isaiah 47 verses
Isaiah 47 14 Meaning
This verse signifies the absolute helplessness of those who rely on their own strength or idols, ultimately facing divine judgment. Their supposed protectors are powerless to save them from the coming destruction.
Isaiah 47 14 Context
Chapter 47 of Isaiah portrays God's judgment upon Babylon. It is a taunt against the once-proud and powerful city, highlighting its impending downfall. The chapter emphasizes Babylon's reliance on astrology, sorcery, and idols, which are presented as utterly useless in the face of God's sovereign power. Verse 14 specifically addresses the futility of Babylon's alliances and perceived saviors, likening them to stubble consumed by fire. This follows verses where Babylon is encouraged to stand with its magic and sorceries to see if it can prevail, directly setting up the utter failure described in verse 14. The immediate context is a declaration of God's decisive judgment and the complete destruction that awaits those who oppose Him and trust in false sources of power.
Isaiah 47 14 Word Analysis
Behold (הִנֵּה - hinnēh): An interjection calling attention, emphasizing what follows. It's a direct command to look and understand the reality of the situation.
they (הֵמָּה - hēmmah): Refers to the powerful, the advisors, the sorcerers, and the patrons of Babylon.
shall be (יִהְיוּ - yih·yū): Future tense, indicating a certain outcome of their present course.
as stubble (קַשׁ - qaš): Dry, brittle, worthless remnants of grain, easily consumed by fire. Symbolizes complete destruction and worthlessness. This is a common metaphor for the wicked.
the fire (הָאֵשׁ - hā’ēš): Represents divine judgment and wrath.
shall burn them (תֹּאכְלֵמוֹ - tōkh·lē·mō): "Shall consume them." The active verb emphasizes the totality of the destruction. Fire here is not just for warmth but for destruction.
and shall not (וְלֹא - wə·lō): A strong negation.
deliver themselves (תְּפַלֵּט־נַפְשָׁהּ - tǝ·pal·lē·t(ǝ) na·pšāh): "Deliver its life/soul." Implies an inability to rescue their very being or existence.
from the power (מִכֹּחַ - mik·kō·aḥ): From the strength, might, or force.
of the flame (לַלֶּהָבָה - lal·lə·hā·ḇāh): "To the flame." Connects directly to the fire previously mentioned.
there shall be (לֹא־יהְיֶה־לָהֶם - lō yih·yəh lɑ·hɛm): "There shall not be for them." Emphasizes total absence of what would provide comfort or hope.
no coal (גֶּחָל - gə·ḥāl): Embers, coals used for warmth or light.
for warmth (לְחֹם־אֹר - lə·ḥōm ’ōr): "For warmth of light/heat." Or, more generally, for comfort.
neither (וְלֹא - wə·lō): Another strong negation, amplifying the desolation.
fire (אֵשׁ - ’ēš): Again referring to judgment's consuming power, but here contrasted with the specific ember that would provide warmth.
before them (לִפְנֵיהֶם - liph·nê·hɛm): In their presence, or facing them.
for a place to sit (לְמִסְבָּא - lə·mis·bā’): "For a sitting" or "for a place around which to sit." Implies a communal, comforting gathering, perhaps around a hearth or fire for discussion or rest. The absence of this signifies utter isolation and desolation.
Group analysis: The verse describes a sequence of absolute destruction. The initial statement ("they shall be as stubble") establishes the nature of their being under judgment – easily consumed. The active verb "shall burn them" shows the judgment's efficacy. The following clauses "shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame" and the absence of "coal for warmth, no fire before them for a place to sit" paint a picture of complete desolation. Their protectors are as useless as burnt-out embers that can provide no light or warmth, leaving them abandoned in the darkness of divine wrath. This is the finality of judgment, leaving no trace of their former power or comfort.
Isaiah 47 14 Bonus Section
The imagery of "stubble" being burned is a consistent theme in Scripture to describe the fate of the wicked, emphasizing their impermanence and worthlessness apart from God's sustaining power. This verse powerfully echoes prophecies against other oppressive nations and individuals who relied on their own strength or false gods, underscoring God's universal sovereignty and His absolute authority to bring down the proud. The lack of "coal for warmth" and "fire for a place to sit" extends the judgment beyond mere destruction to utter desolation and the complete absence of comfort, fellowship, or any lingering good that might recall their former existence or offer relief. It signifies that not even a spark of hope or refuge remains for them.
Isaiah 47 14 Commentary
This verse paints a stark picture of ultimate destruction awaiting those who trust in anything other than the LORD. The metaphor of stubble consumed by an unstoppable fire vividly illustrates their complete annihilation and utter lack of self-preservation or ability to find comfort. The inability to even muster an ember for warmth or a place to gather signifies the total absence of any hope, relief, or residual good from their lives or their idols. Their "friends" or supposed protectors are equally consumed, offering no aid. This is the fate of rebellion against God, a foretaste of the second death for those who remain unrepentant.
- Practical usage: The verse serves as a severe warning against self-reliance and idolatry in any form. It reminds believers that their hope and security are found solely in Christ, who stands as our ultimate protection and source of eternal comfort.