Isaiah 30:27
Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
Original Language Analysis
שֵׁם
Behold the name
H8034
שֵׁם
Behold the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
2 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִמֶּרְחָ֔ק
from far
H4801
מִמֶּרְחָ֔ק
from far
Strong's:
H4801
Word #:
5 of 15
remoteness, i.e., (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar
אַפּ֔וֹ
with his anger
H639
אַפּ֔וֹ
with his anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
מַשָּׂאָ֑ה
and the burden
H4858
מַשָּׂאָ֑ה
and the burden
Strong's:
H4858
Word #:
9 of 15
a conflagration (from the rising of smoke)
שְׂפָתָיו֙
his lips
H8193
שְׂפָתָיו֙
his lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
10 of 15
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
מָ֣לְאוּ
are full
H4390
מָ֣לְאוּ
are full
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
11 of 15
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
זַ֔עַם
of indignation
H2195
זַ֔עַם
of indignation
Strong's:
H2195
Word #:
12 of 15
strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)
Historical Context
Theophanies in Israel's history often involved fire: burning bush (Exodus 3:2), Sinai (Exodus 19:18), pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21), Ezekiel's chariot (Ezekiel 1:4). Fire represents holiness that consumes impurity, glory that cannot be approached carelessly, judgment that purifies or destroys. Isaiah's audience would connect this to historical judgments—Assyria destroyed by angel (Isaiah 37:36), foreshadowing greater future judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'anger' differ from human anger—righteous response to evil versus selfish reaction?
- What does the imagery of God's words as devouring fire teach about the power and danger of divine speech?
- How should awareness of God's burning holiness and coming judgment shape evangelism and worship?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger (הִנֵּה שֵׁם־יְהוָה בָּא מִמֶּרְחָק בֹּעֵר אַפּוֹ)—The 'name of the LORD' represents God's revealed character and presence. It comes mimmerchaq (from far), indicating divine approach from transcendence. Bo'er (burning) with apo (His anger/nostril) depicts fury as consuming fire. And the burden thereof is heavy (וְכֹבֶד מַשָּׂאָה)—The koved (heaviness, weight) of massa'ah (burden, load) crushes its objects. God's anger isn't petulant emotion but weighty, substantial, crushing judgment.
His lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire—The personification continues: sephatayw (His lips) filled with za'am (indignation, wrath), and leshono (His tongue) like esh okelet (devouring fire). God's word becomes weapon—what He speaks consumes. Revelation 19:15 pictures Christ with sword proceeding from His mouth. Hebrews 4:12 describes God's word as 'sharper than any twoedged sword.' Here words become fire, burning away dross and consuming enemies. This theophany—God appearing in fire and fury—recalls Sinai (Exodus 19:18), Ezekiel's visions (Ezekiel 1:4), and anticipates final judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8) when Christ appears 'in flaming fire taking vengeance.'