Isaiah 30:33
For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָר֤וּךְ
is ordained
H6186
עָר֤וּךְ
is ordained
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
2 of 20
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הִ֛וא
H1931
הִ֛וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הוּכָ֖ן
it is prepared
H3559
הוּכָ֖ן
it is prepared
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
הֶעְמִ֣יק
he hath made it deep
H6009
הֶעְמִ֣יק
he hath made it deep
Strong's:
H6009
Word #:
9 of 20
to be (causatively, make) deep (literally or figuratively)
הִרְחִ֑ב
and large
H7337
הִרְחִ֑ב
and large
Strong's:
H7337
Word #:
10 of 20
to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
וְעֵצִים֙
wood
H6086
וְעֵצִים֙
wood
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
13 of 20
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
נִשְׁמַ֤ת
the breath
H5397
נִשְׁמַ֤ת
the breath
Strong's:
H5397
Word #:
15 of 20
a puff, i.e., wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כְּנַ֣חַל
like a stream
H5158
כְּנַ֣חַל
like a stream
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
17 of 20
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
גָּפְרִ֔ית
of brimstone
H1614
גָּפְרִ֔ית
of brimstone
Strong's:
H1614
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, cypress-resin; by analogy, sulphur (as equally inflammable)
Cross References
2 Kings 23:10And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.Genesis 19:24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;Jeremiah 19:6Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Matthew 4:22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.1 Peter 1:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Historical Context
Tophet's historical horror—child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom—made it apt metaphor for hell. King Josiah defiled it (2 Kings 23:10) so it couldn't be used for worship. It became Jerusalem's garbage dump, fires burning continuously. Jesus adopted this geographical reference (Gehenna) for spiritual reality. Modern archaeology has uncovered urns with infant remains in similar Canaanite sites, confirming these practices' historical reality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the doctrine of hell as conscious, eternal punishment challenge contemporary universalism and annihilationism?
- What does it mean that God 'prepared' hell—does this indicate He desires people's damnation or warns of consequences for rejecting Him?
- How should believers proclaim both God's love (John 3:16) and His wrath (this verse)—and why are both necessary?
Analysis & Commentary
For Tophet is ordained of old (כִּי־עָרוּךְ מֵאֶתְמוֹל תָּפְתֶּה)—Tophet (תָּפְתֶּה) was a valley near Jerusalem (later called Gehenna) where children were sacrificed to Molech (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31-32). The verb aruk (arranged, prepared) with me-etmol (from yesterday, of old) indicates God prepared this place of judgment long ago. Yea, for the king it is prepared—Either Assyria's king or metaphorically any rebellious king. God prepares hell for His enemies. He hath made it deep and large—The dimensions he'emiq hirhiv (deepened, widened) suggest endless capacity for judgment. Hell isn't overcrowded.
The pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it—The meduratah (pile, pyre) is esh ve-etsim harbeh (fire and wood aplenty). God's nishmat (breath) like nachal gaphrit (torrent of brimstone/sulfur) ignites it. This describes eternal fire prepared for devil and angels (Matthew 25:41), a lake burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:20; 20:10). Jesus used 'Gehenna' (from Ge-Hinnom/Tophet) to describe hell (Mark 9:43-48). Isaiah's prophecy establishes hell's reality centuries before Christ. It's not medieval invention but biblical doctrine: eternal, conscious punishment for rebels against God. God's 'breath' that gives life (Genesis 2:7) here kindles eternal death—a sobering reversal.