Isaiah 10:17
And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֤ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֽוֹר
And the light
H216
אֽוֹר
And the light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
2 of 12
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּקְדוֹשׁ֖וֹ
and his Holy One
H6918
וּקְדוֹשׁ֖וֹ
and his Holy One
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
5 of 12
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
שִׁית֥וֹ
his thorns
H7898
שִׁית֥וֹ
his thorns
Strong's:
H7898
Word #:
9 of 12
scrub or trash, i.e., wild growth of weeds or briers (as if put on the field)
וּשְׁמִיר֖וֹ
and his briers
H8068
וּשְׁמִיר֖וֹ
and his briers
Strong's:
H8068
Word #:
10 of 12
a thorn; also (from its keenness for scratching) a gem, probably the diamond
Cross References
Isaiah 27:4Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.Isaiah 37:23Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.Jeremiah 4:4Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.Jeremiah 7:20Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.Nahum 1:10For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.Numbers 16:35And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
Historical Context
Fulfilled when 185,000 Assyrian soldiers died 'in one night' (Isaiah 37:36; 2 Kings 19:35). What seemed impossible—destroying a massive army without battle—God accomplished in hours. The phrase 'in one day' wasn't hyperbole but literal prediction. This miracle vindicated God's sovereignty and demonstrated His power to protect His people while judging their enemies.
Questions for Reflection
- How is God simultaneously light to His people and consuming fire to His enemies?
- What does the 'one day' destruction teach about God's ability to accomplish what seems impossible?
- How should God's holiness produce both comfort (for believers) and fear (for unbelievers)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'light of Israel' and 'his Holy One' both refer to God, who becomes 'a fire' and 'a flame' to consume Assyria. The reference to burning 'his thorns and his briers' echoes earlier judgment imagery (9:18). 'In one day' emphasizes suddenness—comprehensive judgment executed swiftly. This demonstrates God's dual nature toward humanity: light and life to His people, consuming fire to His enemies. The same holy God who saves also judges. His holiness demands both.