Isaiah 33:11

Analysis & Commentary

Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble (תַּהֲרוּ חֲשַׁשׁ תֵּלְדוּ קַשׁ, taharu chashash teledu qash)—you conceive (הָרָה, harah) חֲשַׁשׁ (chashash, chaff, dry grass) and give birth to (יָלַד, yalad) קַשׁ (qash, stubble). Your breath, as fire, shall devour you (רוּחֲכֶם אֵשׁ תֹּאכַלְכֶם, ruchakem esh tokhalkhem)—your רוּחַ (ruach, breath, spirit) like אֵשׁ (esh, fire) will devour you.

God addresses Assyria's futile schemes—all their planning, effort, and warfare produce worthless results: chaff and stubble. The pregnancy metaphor depicts prolonged effort yielding useless fruit. Their own רוּחַ (ruach)—breath, spirit, arrogance—becomes fire consuming them. Poetic justice: their own rage destroys them. James 1:15 uses similar birth imagery: 'when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.' Psalm 7:14-16 depicts the wicked conceiving mischief and bringing forth falsehood, falling into their own pit.

Historical Context

Assyria conceived grand imperial plans—conquering nations, building empire, amassing wealth. But it all became chaff. Their arrogance (רוּחַ, ruach) kindled divine fire-judgment. Sennacherib's boasts (Isaiah 37:24-25) became his downfall. His own sons murdered him (Isaiah 37:38)—his 'breath' (descendants) became fire devouring him. Babylon later destroyed Assyria (612 BC)—all their conquests proved stubble. Empires rise and fall; only God's Kingdom endures.

Questions for Reflection

• What plans or ambitions might you be 'conceiving' that will only produce chaff and stubble?
• How does pride or arrogance (רוּחַ, ruach) become the fire that destroys the proud person?
• When have you seen the wicked's schemes backfire, consuming them like fire?