Isaiah 1:31
Isaiah 1:31 in Multiple Translations
The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.
And 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.
And the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
And the strong will be as food for the fire, and his work as a flame; and they will be burned together, with no one to put out the fire.
Your strong people will become like tinder, and their work will become like a spark. They will burn together, and nobody will be able to put out the flames.
And the strong shall be as towe, and the maker thereof, as a sparke: and they shall both burne together, and none shall quench them.
And the strong hath been for tow, And his work for a spark, And burned have both of them together, And there is none quenching!
The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them.”
And 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 .
And your strength shall be as the ashes of tow, and your work as a spark: and both shall burn together, and there shall be none to quench it.
Those among you who are very strong will become like [MET] dry wood, and the work they do will be like [MET] a spark; both they and the evil things that they do will burn up completely, and no one will be able to put out the fire.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 1:31
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 1:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
הֶ/חָסֹן֙
לִ/נְעֹ֔רֶת
וּ/פֹעֲל֖/וֹ
לְ/נִיצ֑וֹץ
וּ/בָעֲר֧וּ
שְׁנֵי/הֶ֛ם
יַחְדָּ֖ו
וְ/אֵ֥ין
מְכַבֶּֽה
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הֶ/חָסֹן֙
châçôn
H2634
strong
Art | Adj
לִ/נְעֹ֔רֶת
nᵉʻôreth
H5296
tow
Prep | N-fs
וּ/פֹעֲל֖/וֹ
pôʻal
H6467
work
Conj | N-ms | Suff
לְ/נִיצ֑וֹץ
nîytsôwts
H5213
spark
Prep | N-ms
וּ/בָעֲר֧וּ
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
שְׁנֵי/הֶ֛ם
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj | Suff
יַחְדָּ֖ו
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Part
מְכַבֶּֽה
kâbâh
H3518
to quench
V-Piel
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 1:31
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הֶ/חָסֹן֙
châçôn
H2634
"strong"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this word means being strong or powerful, like a mighty warrior. It describes someone with great physical or mental strength. This concept appears in various books, including Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: strong
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: strong. See also: Isaiah 1:31; Amos 2:9.
לִ/נְעֹ֔רֶת
nᵉʻôreth
H5296
"tow"
Prep | N-fs
Negoereth refers to tow, or the refuse of flax, which is the fibers that are shaken out when flax is beaten. It is mentioned in the Bible as a byproduct of the flax industry.
Definition: a strand of flax, tow (as shaken from flax when beaten)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: tow. See also: Judges 16:9; Isaiah 1:31.
וּ/פֹעֲל֖/וֹ
pôʻal
H6467
"work"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
A work or deed is what this word refers to, describing something that has been done or made. It can also mean wages or the result of an action.
Definition: 1) work, deed, doing 1a) deed, thing done 1b) work, thing made 1c) wages of work 1d) acquisition (of treasure)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: act, deed, do, getting, maker, work. See also: Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 104:23; Psalms 9:17.
לְ/נִיצ֑וֹץ
nîytsôwts
H5213
"spark"
Prep | N-ms
A spark refers to a small, fiery particle that flies out from a flame or fire. It's a tiny, glowing piece of something that's burning. The Bible uses this word to describe a small, fiery piece.
Definition: spark
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: spark. See also: Isaiah 1:31.
וּ/בָעֲר֧וּ
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
שְׁנֵי/הֶ֛ם
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj | Suff
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
יַחְדָּ֖ו
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
מְכַבֶּֽה
kâbâh
H3518
"to quench"
V-Piel
To quench means to put out or extinguish something, like a fire or a flame, as seen in Ezekiel 20:47 where God warns of a fire that will not be quenched. It can also refer to satisfying a desire or need.
Definition: 1) to quench, put out, be put out, be quenched, be extinguished 1a) (Qal) to be quenched, be extinguished 1b) (Piel) to quench, extinguish
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: go (put) out, quench. See also: Leviticus 6:5; Isaiah 34:10; Proverbs 26:20.
Study Notes — Isaiah 1:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 1:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:31
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:31
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:31
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:31
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 1:31
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 1:31
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:31
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:31
- Sermons on Isaiah 1:31
Context — The Corruption of Zion
29Surely you will be ashamed of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be embarrassed by the gardens that you have chosen.
30For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, like a garden without water.
31The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 66:24 | “As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.” |
| 2 | Ezekiel 32:21 | Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’ |
| 3 | Malachi 4:1 | “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.” |
| 4 | Mark 9:43–49 | If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. |
| 5 | Isaiah 9:19 | By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother. |
| 6 | Isaiah 27:4 | I am not angry. If only thorns and briers confronted Me, I would march and trample them, I would burn them to the ground. |
| 7 | Revelation 20:10 | And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. |
| 8 | Isaiah 5:24 | Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 20:47–48 | Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched. Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.” |
| 10 | Matthew 3:10 | The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. |
Isaiah 1:31 Summary
[Isaiah 1:31 is saying that people who think they are strong and can do everything on their own will actually be like dry leaves that catch on fire and burn up, because they are not trusting in God. This is similar to what we see in Psalm 52:7, where the wicked are like a tree that is cut down and withers away. We need to remember that our strength and abilities come from God, and if we try to do everything on our own, we will ultimately fail and be destroyed. By trusting in God and recognizing our own limitations, we can avoid this kind of destruction and find true strength and security in Him, as promised in Jeremiah 17:7-8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the strong man to become tinder in Isaiah 1:31?
The strong man becoming tinder refers to the idea that those who seem powerful and self-sufficient will be reduced to nothing, much like dry, flammable material, as seen in other passages like Isaiah 40:24, where God says that even the strongest among us are like grass that withers away.
Why will the strong man's work be a spark in this verse?
The strong man's work being a spark suggests that the things he has accomplished or built will ultimately lead to his own destruction, much like the sparks that ignite a fire, as warned in Proverbs 16:18, where pride goes before destruction.
What does it mean for both to burn together with no one to quench the flames?
This phrase indicates that the strong man and his works will be completely consumed by God's judgment, with no escape or rescue, much like the judgment described in Revelation 20:15, where those whose names are not in the Book of Life are thrown into the lake of fire.
Is this verse talking about a specific person or a general principle?
While the verse may have had a specific application to the people of Judah in Isaiah's time, the principle of God's judgment on pride and self-sufficiency is a general one that applies to all people, as seen in verses like James 4:10, where we are called to humble ourselves before God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am relying on my own strength and abilities rather than trusting in God?
- How can I apply the warning of Isaiah 1:31 to my own life, avoiding the temptation to trust in my own power and accomplishments?
- What does it mean for me to humble myself before God, and how can I do that in practical ways?
- How can I balance the desire to be strong and capable with the need to recognize my own limitations and dependence on God?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:31
And the strong shall be as tow,.... החסון, "that strong one", who is eminently so; the little horn, whose look is more stout than his fellows, Daniel 7:20 the beast who had great power and authority
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:31
And 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. The strong - powerful rulers (Amos 2:9). Shall be as tow, and the maker of it - rather, his work.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:31
The strong; either, 1. Your idols, which you think to be strong, and able to defend you, as appears by your confidence in them. Or, 2. The strongest persons among you, who think to secure themselves against the threatened danger by their wealth, or power, or wisdom; and much more they that are weak and helpless. Shall be as tow; shall be as suddenly and easily consumed by my judgments as tow is by fire. The maker of it; the maker of the idol, who can neither save himself nor his workmanship. Or, his work; either all that he doth or can do, or that which he hath done, his wicked course of life, shall bring him to ruin.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:31
Isaiah 1:31 And 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].Ver. 31. And the strong shall be as tow.] The idol is here called the strong one, either by an irony, sicut siquis scelestum bonum virum dicat, as if one should say to a knave, You are a right honest man: or else according to the idolater’ s false opinion of it, and vain expectation of it: like as in 2 Chronicles 28:23, the gods of Damascus are said to have "smitten" or "plagued" Ahaz: not that they did so indeed (for an idol is "nothing in the world," and this strong in the text is weak as water, Jeremiah 10:5 2 Corinthians 8:4), but he thought they did so like as the silly Papists also think of their male saints and female saints, whereof they have not a few, but are shamefully foiled and frustrated; besides that they are here and elsewhere threatened with unquenchable fire. Jerome, following Symmachus, for "tow," hath the "refuse of tow," which is quickly kindled. And the maker of it.] Or, And his work - that is, all your pains taken to no purpose in worshipping your idols, and bringing your memories, as they are called, and presents to them. And they shall both burn together.] As one saith of Aretine’ s obscene book, that it is opus dignum quod cremetur cum authore, fit for nothing but to make a bonfire to burn the author of it in. The beast and his complices shall be cast alive into the burning lake. And none shall quench them.] Hell fire is unquenchable. This Origen denied, and is therefore justly condemned by all sound divines. Boissard. Biblioth.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 1:31
(31) The maker of it as a spark.—Better, his work as a spark. The sin itself becomes the instrument of destruction. The mighty and the proud, who were foremost in the work of idolatry, and who did not repent, should perish with their work—i.e., with the idol which their hands had made. The tow and the spark are chosen as representing the most rapid form of combustion.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 1:31
29–31. The judgment will also bring about a purification of religion, by revealing the folly of trusting in other deities than Jehovah.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:31
And the strong - Those who have been thought to be strong, on whom the people relied for protection and defense - their rulers, princes, and the commanders of their armies. As tow - The coarse or broken part of flax, or hemp.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:31
31. And the strong — The “strong” men — “strong” rulers of the nation, of which the present rulers are the fit representatives. As tow — Beaten flax. A symbol of weakness.
Sermons on Isaiah 1:31
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(John - Part 46): The Last Supper: Jesus' True Humility by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. He explains that in biblical times, it was customary for a servant to wash the feet of |
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A Wounded Spirit and Destroyed Life's by Keith Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing the destructive impact of neglect, negativity, and lack of compassion within families, highlighting the need for repentance, for |
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Old Time Religion by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of society and the abundance of leisure time that people have. He emphasizes the importance of knowing certain truths rather than |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 63-66 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of worshiping the beast and receiving his mark. He emphasizes that those who engage in such worship will face the wrath of God, b |
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The Centrality of the Lamb - Part 2 by J. Sidlow Baxter | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sinful nature of humanity and the need for a savior. He notes that there is a growing interest in the Bibl |
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What Can the Righteous Do? by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher highlights the current state of the world, describing it as a hopeless mess in various areas such as government, law observance, morality, and family l |
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Separated From Our Loved Ones! by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the urgency of seeking God's mercy and salvation. He shares personal experiences and illustrations of people who died suddenly, emphasizing |