Isaiah 5:24
Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵן֩
H3651
לָכֵן֩
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
לְשׁ֣וֹן
and the flame
H3956
לְשׁ֣וֹן
and the flame
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
4 of 25
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
יִרְפֶּ֔ה
consumeth
H7503
יִרְפֶּ֔ה
consumeth
Strong's:
H7503
Word #:
8 of 25
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
כַּמָּ֣ק
shall be as rottenness
H4716
כַּמָּ֣ק
shall be as rottenness
Strong's:
H4716
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, a melting, i.e., putridity
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וּפִרְחָ֖ם
and their blossom
H6525
וּפִרְחָ֖ם
and their blossom
Strong's:
H6525
Word #:
12 of 25
a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom
יַעֲלֶ֑ה
shall go up
H5927
יַעֲלֶ֑ה
shall go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
14 of 25
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָאֲס֗וּ
because they have cast away
H3988
מָאֲס֗וּ
because they have cast away
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
16 of 25
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תּוֹרַת֙
the law
H8451
תּוֹרַת֙
the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
18 of 25
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
20 of 25
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
וְאֵ֛ת
H853
וְאֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קְדֽוֹשׁ
of the Holy One
H6918
קְדֽוֹשׁ
of the Holy One
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
23 of 25
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
Cross References
Job 18:16His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.Isaiah 30:12Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:Luke 3:17Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.Joel 2:5Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.Isaiah 47:14Behold, 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.Isaiah 30:9That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:Exodus 15:7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
Historical Context
Despite possessing God's law and prophetic word, Judah rejected both. This inexcusable rebellion—spurning divine revelation—sealed their judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the privilege of possessing Scripture heighten accountability for rejecting it?
- In what ways might we functionally 'despise' God's word despite claiming to value it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The agricultural imagery of stubble consumed by flame and chaff by fire depicts swift, total judgment. The cause-effect relationship—'because they have cast away the law of the LORD'—directly links judgment to covenant rebellion. Despising 'the word of the Holy One of Israel' compounds rejection: not mere neglect but active contempt. This anticipates John Baptist's warning of unquenchable fire consuming chaff (Matthew 3:12) and Hebrews' warning that willful sin after knowing truth brings fearful judgment (Hebrews 10:26-27).