Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Original Language Analysis
פָּחֲד֤וּ
are afraid
H6342
פָּחֲד֤וּ
are afraid
Strong's:
H6342
Word #:
1 of 16
to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general
בְצִיּוֹן֙
in Zion
H6726
בְצִיּוֹן֙
in Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
2 of 16
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
אָחֲזָ֥ה
hath surprised
H270
אָחֲזָ֥ה
hath surprised
Strong's:
H270
Word #:
4 of 16
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
מִ֣י׀
H4310
מִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
7 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יָג֥וּר
Who among us shall dwell
H1481
יָג֥וּר
Who among us shall dwell
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
מִי
H4310
מִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
12 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יָג֥וּר
Who among us shall dwell
H1481
יָג֥וּר
Who among us shall dwell
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
Cross References
Hebrews 12:29For our God is a consuming fire.Revelation 14:10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: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.Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.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 18:8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.Revelation 20:10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.Isaiah 29:13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:Job 18:11Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.Nahum 1:6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
Historical Context
Witnessing Assyria's destruction, Judean sinners recognized God's holiness. If He wouldn't spare blasphemous enemies, would He spare hypocritical worshipers? The Temple's Most Holy Place, where God dwelt, was separated by curtain—unauthorized entry meant death (Leviticus 16:2). God's fire consumed Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2). The question isn't academic but existential: how can sinners survive in the holy God's presence?
Questions for Reflection
- How does witnessing God's judgment on enemies cause self-examination about your own sin?
- What does it mean that God is a 'devouring fire'—both to enemies and to impurity in His people?
- How do you answer the question: 'Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?'
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites (פָּחֲדוּ בְצִיּוֹן חַטָּאִים אָחֲזָה רְעָדָה חֲנֵפִים, pachedu veTsiyon chata'im achazah re'adah chanefim)—חַטָּאִים (chata'im, sinners) in Zion are terrified (פָּחַד, pachad); trembling (רְעָדָה, re'adah) seizes חֲנֵפִים (chanefim, hypocrites, godless ones). Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (מִי־יָגוּר לָנוּ אֵשׁ אוֹכֵלָה מִי־יָגוּר לָנוּ מוֹקְדֵי עוֹלָם, mi-yagur lanu esh okhelah mi-yagur lanu moqdey olam)—who can dwell (גּוּר, gur, sojourn, abide) with אֵשׁ אוֹכֵלָה (esh okhelah, devouring fire) and מוֹקְדֵי עוֹלָם (moqdey olam, everlasting burnings)?
God's judgment on Assyria (vv. 10-13) terrifies sinners within Zion. If God consumes mighty Assyria like lime kilns and burning thorns, what about Judah's own sin? The hypocrites (חֲנֵפִים, chanefim, those professing faith but living wickedly) realize proximity to holy God is dangerous for the unholy. The rhetorical questions anticipate verses 15-16's answer. Hebrews 12:29: 'For our God is a consuming fire.' Psalm 15:1 asks similarly: 'LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?'