Isaiah 1:31
And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֤ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִנְעֹ֔רֶת
shall be as tow
H5296
לִנְעֹ֔רֶת
shall be as tow
Strong's:
H5296
Word #:
3 of 10
something shaken out, i.e., tow (as the refuse of flax)
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Isaiah 66:24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.Ezekiel 32:21The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.Malachi 4:1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Historical Context
Despite political strength and economic prosperity under Uzziah and Jotham, Judah's moral corruption made them spiritually combustible. Military might and material wealth couldn't avert coming judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What human strengths or achievements might we be trusting in that will ultimately prove to be 'tow'?
- How does this verse shape our understanding of what endures versus what will be consumed in judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The imagery of the strong becoming 'tow' (dried flax—highly flammable) and their work a 'spark' depicts self-destruction: human achievement apart from God becomes fuel for judgment's fire. The phrase 'they shall both burn together' emphasizes totality—neither person nor accomplishment survives. This eschatological judgment parallels Christ's teaching on hay, wood, and stubble consumed by fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) and anticipates the final judgment where unrighteousness is utterly destroyed (2 Peter 3:10-12).