Isaiah 66:24
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָצְא֣וּ
And they shall go forth
H3318
וְיָצְא֣וּ
And they shall go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְרָא֔וּ
and look
H7200
וְרָא֔וּ
and look
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בְּפִגְרֵי֙
upon the carcases
H6297
בְּפִגְרֵי֙
upon the carcases
Strong's:
H6297
Word #:
3 of 17
a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image
הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים
H376
הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַפֹּשְׁעִ֖ים
that have transgressed
H6586
הַפֹּשְׁעִ֖ים
that have transgressed
Strong's:
H6586
Word #:
5 of 17
to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תוֹלַעְתָּ֞ם
against me for their worm
H8438
תוֹלַעְתָּ֞ם
against me for their worm
Strong's:
H8438
Word #:
8 of 17
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָמ֗וּת
shall not die
H4191
תָמ֗וּת
shall not die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
10 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְאִשָּׁם֙
neither shall their fire
H784
וְאִשָּׁם֙
neither shall their fire
Strong's:
H784
Word #:
11 of 17
fire (literally or figuratively)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִכְבֶּ֔ה
be quenched
H3518
תִכְבֶּ֔ה
be quenched
Strong's:
H3518
Word #:
13 of 17
to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)
וְהָי֥וּ
H1961
וְהָי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Isaiah 14:11Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Daniel 12:2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.Isaiah 66:16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.Isaiah 34:10It 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.Zechariah 14:12And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.Matthew 3:12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.Isaiah 1:31And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.Isaiah 65:15And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
Historical Context
The Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) outside Jerusalem, where trash burned perpetually and where children were once sacrificed to Molech, became the imagery for eternal judgment. Isaiah's audience knew this place. Jesus used the same imagery (Matthew 5:22, 29-30, 10:28, 18:9, 23:33, Mark 9:43-48, Luke 12:5), confirming hell's reality. Throughout church history, eternal judgment has been affirmed despite being unpopular. The vision of Revelation confirms it—the lake of fire where the wicked are tormented forever (Revelation 14:11, 20:10, 15). This difficult truth must not be softened—it's clearly taught in Scripture. The certainty of eternal punishment should drive evangelistic urgency and personal holiness.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the doctrine of eternal punishment affect our evangelistic urgency and methods?
- What does the righteous viewing judgment teach about divine justice being vindicated?
- How do we balance affirming hell's reality with avoiding harshness or diminishing God's mercy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The book ends with sobering judgment: "And 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." The righteous witnessing the wicked's judgment is unsettling but scripturally attested. "Their worm shall not die" (tolatam lo tamut) and "their fire be quenched" (isham lo tikhbeh) describe perpetual, unending torment. Jesus quotes this verse (Mark 9:44, 46, 48) describing hell's eternal nature. "An abhorring" (dera'on) means object of horror and disgust—the righteous abhor what sin produces. From a Reformed perspective, this confirms eternal conscious punishment for the wicked. The righteous don't sadistically delight in suffering but recognize God's justice being vindicated. The contrast with verse 23 is stark: some worship eternally while others suffer eternally. This sobering conclusion emphasizes judgment's reality, motivating holiness and evangelism. God's justice, like His mercy, is eternal. The wicked face consequences that never end—a terrible truth requiring compassionate evangelistic response.