Isaiah 47:14
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
Original Language Analysis
הָי֤וּ
H1961
הָי֤וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַצִּ֥ילוּ
them they shall not deliver
H5337
יַצִּ֥ילוּ
them they shall not deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
7 of 17
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשָׁ֖ם
themselves
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֖ם
themselves
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִיַּ֣ד
from the power
H3027
מִיַּ֣ד
from the power
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
א֖וּר
at nor fire
H217
א֖וּר
at nor fire
Strong's:
H217
Word #:
15 of 17
flame; hence (in the plural) the east (as being the region of light)
Cross References
Nahum 1:10For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.Malachi 4:1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.Isaiah 41:2Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.Isaiah 10:17And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;Matthew 10:28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.Ezekiel 15:7And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
Historical Context
When Cyrus conquered Babylon, the priestly and magician class lost their privileged status. The Persians had their own magi and did not perpetuate Babylonian occult practices, fulfilling this prophecy of counsel becoming worthless.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'counselors' (influencers, experts, gurus) will prove to be stubble when judgment comes?
- How can you discern between counsel that is godly substance versus worldly stubble?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The image of false counselors becoming 'stubble' consumed by fire depicts utter impotence - they cannot even save themselves, much less others. The phrase 'there shall not be a coal to warm at' emphasizes totality of judgment; even residual benefit is removed. This foreshadows eternal judgment where those who led others astray face worse condemnation (Matthew 23:15).