Isaiah 10:17
Isaiah 10:17 in Multiple Translations
And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and its Holy One a flame. In a single day it will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and thistles.
And 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;
And the light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.
And the light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: wasting and burning up his thorns in one day.
Israel's light will become a fire, and his Holy One will become a flame. It will burn up his thorns and brambles in just one day.
And the light of Israel shalbe as a fire, and the Holy one thereof as a flame, and it shall burne, and deuoure his thornes and his briers in one day:
And the light of Israel hath been for a fire, And his Holy One for a flame, And it hath burned, and devoured his thorn And his brier in one day.
The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.
And 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;
And the light of Israel shall be as a fire, and the Holy One thereof as a flame: and his thorns and his briers shall be set on fire, and shall be devoured in one day.
I, Yahweh, who am like [MET] a light for the people of Israel, will be the fire; I, the Holy One, will be like a flame. The soldiers of Assyria are like [MET] thorns and briers, and I will burn them up in one night.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 10:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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Isaiah 10:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
אֽוֹר
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
לְ/אֵ֔שׁ
וּ/קְדוֹשׁ֖/וֹ
לְ/לֶהָבָ֑ה
וּ/בָעֲרָ֗ה
וְ/אָֽכְלָ֛ה
שִׁית֥/וֹ
וּ/שְׁמִיר֖/וֹ
בְּ/י֥וֹם
אֶחָֽד
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
אֽוֹר
ʼôwr
H216
light
N-cs
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
לְ/אֵ֔שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Prep | N-cs
וּ/קְדוֹשׁ֖/וֹ
qâdôwsh
H6918
holy
Conj | Adj | Suff
לְ/לֶהָבָ֑ה
lehâbâh
H3852
flame
Prep | N-fs
וּ/בָעֲרָ֗ה
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
וְ/אָֽכְלָ֛ה
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
שִׁית֥/וֹ
shayith
H7898
thornbush
N-ms | Suff
וּ/שְׁמִיר֖/וֹ
shâmîyr
H8068
thorn
Conj | N-ms | Suff
בְּ/י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-ms
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 10:17
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.
אֽוֹר
ʼôwr
H216
"light"
N-cs
Light, including natural light from the sun or stars, and also spiritual light from God. It can refer to happiness, prosperity, or understanding. In the Bible, God is often described as the source of light and life.
Definition: 1) light 1a) light of day 1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars) 1c) day-break, dawn, morning light 1d) daylight 1e) lightning 1f) light of lamp 1g) light of life 1h) light of prosperity 1i) light of instruction 1j) light of face (fig.) 1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
Usage: Occurs in 110 OT verses. KJV: bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. See also: Genesis 1:3; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 4:7.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
לְ/אֵ֔שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Prep | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
וּ/קְדוֹשׁ֖/וֹ
qâdôwsh
H6918
"holy"
Conj | Adj | Suff
Holy means set apart or sacred, used to describe God, angels, and saints. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things or people dedicated to God's service, like the Temple in Jerusalem or the prophets who spoke on God's behalf.
Definition: : holy sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: holy (One), saint. See also: Exodus 19:6; Psalms 89:19; Psalms 16:3.
לְ/לֶהָבָ֑ה
lehâbâh
H3852
"flame"
Prep | N-fs
This word refers to a flame or the tip of a weapon, like the head of a spear. It describes something sharp or pointed, often used in battle.
Definition: 1) flame 2) tip of weapon, point, head of spear
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: flame(-ming), head (of a spear). See also: Numbers 21:28; Isaiah 43:2; Psalms 29:7.
וּ/בָעֲרָ֗ה
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
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.
וְ/אָֽכְלָ֛ה
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
שִׁית֥/וֹ
shayith
H7898
"thornbush"
N-ms | Suff
This word describes a thornbush or a wild growth of weeds and briers. It's used in the Bible to talk about the wilderness or untamed areas of the earth. In the book of Isaiah, it symbolizes a place of desolation.
Definition: thorn bushes
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: thorns. See also: Isaiah 5:6; Isaiah 7:25; Isaiah 7:23.
וּ/שְׁמִיר֖/וֹ
shâmîyr
H8068
"thorn"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
A thorn or sharp stone, also possibly a diamond due to its sharpness. This word is used in Exodus 28:18 and Ezekiel 28:13 to describe precious stones and in Matthew 13:7 to describe thorns that choke out God's word.
Definition: 1) thorn(s), adamant, flint 1a) thorns, thorn-bushes 1b) adamant (as sharp) 1c) a sharp stone, flint 1c1) perhaps a diamond
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: adamant (stone), brier, diamond. See also: Isaiah 5:6; Isaiah 10:17; Isaiah 7:23.
בְּ/י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
Study Notes — Isaiah 10:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 10:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 10:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 10:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 10:17
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 10:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
- Sermons on Isaiah 10:17
Context — Judgment on Assyria
15Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood!
16Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame.
17And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and its Holy One a flame. In a single day it will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and thistles.
18The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. 19The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Numbers 11:1–3 | Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. And the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down. So that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them. |
| 3 | Isaiah 37:23 | Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! |
| 4 | Revelation 22:5 | There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever. |
| 5 | Nahum 1:10 | For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard— like stubble that is fully dry. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 7:20 | Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place, on man and beast, on the trees of the field and the produce of the land, and it will burn and not be extinguished. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 4:4 | Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.” |
| 8 | Numbers 16:35 | And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. |
| 9 | Revelation 21:23 | And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp. |
| 10 | Isaiah 31:9 | Their rock will pass away for fear, and their princes will panic at the sight of the battle standard,” declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem. |
Isaiah 10:17 Summary
This verse, Isaiah 10:17, tells us that God will use His holy fire to judge and destroy the wickedness of Assyria, just like a fire burns away thorns and thistles. This is a reminder that God is holy and just, and He will purify His people, as seen in (Malachi 3:2-3). It's a call for us to trust in God's power and sovereignty, even when faced with challenges, and to reflect His light in our daily lives, as mentioned in (Matthew 5:14-16). By surrendering to God's refining fire, we can be purified and become more like Him, as seen in (1 Peter 1:7).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the Light of Israel to become a fire?
This refers to God's judgment and purification of His people, as seen in Isaiah 10:17, where He will burn away the wickedness of Assyria, similar to the refining fire in Malachi 3:2-3.
Who are the thorns and thistles that will be devoured?
The thorns and thistles represent the wicked and ungodly people of Assyria, as mentioned in Isaiah 10:17, who will be judged and destroyed by God's holy fire, much like the weeds in Matthew 13:40-42.
What is the significance of this event happening in a single day?
The fact that God will accomplish this in a single day, as stated in Isaiah 10:17, emphasizes His power and sovereignty, similar to the sudden destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:24-25.
How does this verse relate to God's people today?
This verse reminds us that God is still a holy and just God, who will judge wickedness and purify His people, as seen in 1 Peter 1:7, where our faith is refined like gold in a fire.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'thorns and thistles' in my own life that need to be burned away by God's holy fire?
- How can I trust in God's power and sovereignty, even when faced with overwhelming challenges, like the Israelites faced with Assyria?
- What does it mean for me to be a reflection of the Light of Israel in my daily life, and how can I shine God's light in a dark world?
- In what ways can I prepare myself for God's refining fire, and how can I cooperate with His work in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 10:17
And the light of Israel shall be for a fire,.... That is, the Lord, who is the light of his people; who enlightens them by his word and Spirit, and by his grace effectually calls them out of darkness
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 10:17
And 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; The light of Israel ... shall burn ... his thorns - the
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
The light of Israel, that God who is and will be a comfortable light to his people, shall be for a fire to the Assyrians who shall have heat without light, as it is in hell. His thorns and briers; his vast army, which is no more able to resist God, than dry thorns and briers are to oppose the fire which is kindled among them.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
Isaiah 10:17 And 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;Ver. 17. And the light of Israel shall be for a fire.] To Israel he shall be a comfortable light - to their enemies a consuming fire, as Exodus 14:24. Ecce idem iustis et fidelibus suavis, impiis autem gravis. His thorns and his briers.] His army, which is so troublesome and vexatious to Israel. God will "go through them, he will burn them together." In one day,] i.e., In one night, being part of the natural day. So the Spanish Armada was quickly dispersed, which had been so many years in rigging and setting forward. Assyrios, quibus ut sentibus vepribusque cohorrebat terra. - Jun.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
(17) And the light of Israel shall be for a fire.—The Divine glory, which is as a consuming fire (Isaiah 27:4) to the enemies of Israel, is to Israel itself as the very light of life. The “briars and thorns” (we note the recurrence of the combination of Isa 9:18) are the host of the Assyrian army (comp. 2 Samuel 23:6; Ezekiel 2:6), as “the glory of his forest” in the next verse are the captains and princes. The emphatic “in one day” points to some great catastrophe, such as that which afterwards destroyed the army of Sennacherib.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
Verse 17. And it shall burn and devour his thorns - "And he shall burn and consume his thorn."] The briers and thorns are the common people; the glory of his forest are the nobles and those of highest rank and importance. See Clarke on Isaiah 9:17, and compare Ezekiel 20:47. The fire of God's wrath shall destroy them, both great and small; it shall consume them from the soul to the flesh; a proverbial expression; soul and body, as we say; it shall consume them entirely and altogether; and the few that escape shall be looked upon as having escaped from the most imminent danger; "as a firebrand plucked out of the fire," Amos 4:11; ὡςδιαπυρος, so as by fire, 1 Corinthians 3:15; as a man when a house is burning is forced to make his escape by running through the midst of the fire. I follow here the reading of the Septuagint, כמאש נסס kemash noses, ὡςὁφευγωναπωφλογοςχαιομενης, as he who flees from the burning flame. Symmachus also renders the latter word by φευγων, flying.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 10:17
16–19. The destruction of the Assyrian army is described under the two figures of sickness and a conflagration. There is a certain amount of confusion in the metaphors, and undoubtedly the style deteriorates at this point.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 10:17
And the light of Israel - That is, Yahweh. The word “light” here, אור 'ôr, is used also to denote a “fire,” or that which causes light and heat; see Ezekiel 5:2; Isaiah 44:16; Isaiah 47:14.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 10:17
17. The light of Israel — The word “light,” means light, whether literal or figurative.
Sermons on Isaiah 10:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Appearance of Christ in Human Nature - Part 1 by John Gill | John Gill preaches about the appearance of Christ in human nature, comparing it to the light of the morning when the sun rises, emphasizing that His coming dispels darkness and bri |
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Grumbling and Complaining - Part 1 by Keith Green | Keith Green addresses the dangers of grumbling and complaining, emphasizing how such attitudes anger God and burden spiritual leaders. He highlights the contrast between the Old an |
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Lord, Give Me Your Heart - 2 by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of caring for the least fortunate in society. He uses the analogy of the long-haired and short-haired groups to represent thos |
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Giant Joshua by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a story of a young man waiting for the director of a company for several hours. The director asks the young man some simple questions, testing |
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The Graves of Lust by Teresa Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing gratitude for God's mercy and anointing to set people free from lust and discontent. The sermon focuses on the story of the Israel |
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Desert Survival Series Pt 28- Moses the Servant of God by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of durability in our lives. He starts by highlighting how in today's society, we are concerned about the longevity of the thin |
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The Seven Levels of Judgment - Part 5 by Dan Biser | This sermon delves into the biblical theme of God's response to the wickedness of men through various calamities and weather phenomena. It explores how the children of Israel faced |