Isaiah 34:10

Authorized King James Version

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It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

Original Language Analysis

לַ֤יְלָה night H3915
לַ֤יְלָה night
Strong's: H3915
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְיוֹמָם֙ nor day H3119
וְיוֹמָם֙ nor day
Strong's: H3119
Word #: 2 of 15
daily
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִכְבֶּ֔ה It shall not be quenched H3518
תִכְבֶּ֔ה It shall not be quenched
Strong's: H3518
Word #: 4 of 15
to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)
לְעוֹלָ֖ם for ever H5769
לְעוֹלָ֖ם for ever
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 5 of 15
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
יַעֲלֶ֣ה thereof shall go up H5927
יַעֲלֶ֣ה thereof shall go up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 6 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֲשָׁנָ֑הּ the smoke H6227
עֲשָׁנָ֑הּ the smoke
Strong's: H6227
Word #: 7 of 15
smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)
לָדוֹר֙ from generation H1755
לָדוֹר֙ from generation
Strong's: H1755
Word #: 8 of 15
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
לָדוֹר֙ from generation H1755
לָדוֹר֙ from generation
Strong's: H1755
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
תֶּחֱרָ֔ב it shall lie waste H2717
תֶּחֱרָ֔ב it shall lie waste
Strong's: H2717
Word #: 10 of 15
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
נְצָחִ֔ים and ever H5331
נְצָחִ֔ים and ever
Strong's: H5331
Word #: 11 of 15
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti
נְצָחִ֔ים and ever H5331
נְצָחִ֔ים and ever
Strong's: H5331
Word #: 12 of 15
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti
אֵ֥ין H369
אֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 13 of 15
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
עֹבֵ֖ר none shall pass through H5674
עֹבֵ֖ר none shall pass through
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 14 of 15
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בָּֽהּ׃ H0
בָּֽהּ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 15 of 15

Analysis & Commentary

The perpetual burning "night and day" emphasizes eternal punishment, a concept Jesus affirmed regarding hell (Mark 9:48). "Generation to generation" stresses the permanent nature of divine judgment—no restoration comes for those under God's final curse. The desolation means total uninhabitability forever, contrasting sharply with promises of land restoration for God's people. This sobering reality undergirds the Reformed understanding of eternal conscious punishment.

Historical Context

Edom's territory did become permanently desolate after the Nabatean conquest (6th-4th century BC). By New Testament times, Idumea was a shadow of former Edom.

Questions for Reflection

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