Isaiah 9:18
Isaiah 9:18 in Multiple Translations
For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets which roll upward in billows of smoke.
¶ For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
For wickedness burneth as the fire; it devoureth the briers and thorns; yea, it kindleth in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.
For evil was burning like a fire; the blackberries and thorns were burned up; the thick woods took fire, rolling up in dark clouds of smoke.
For wickedness blazes like a fire, burning up brambles and thorns, setting the forest on fire, sending a column of smoke swirling upwards.
For wickednesse burneth as a fire: it deuoureth the briers and the thornes and will kindle in the thicke places of the forest: and they shall mount vp like the lifting vp of smoke.
For burned as a fire hath wickedness, Brier and thorn it devoureth, And it kindleth in thickets of the forest, And they lift themselves up, an exaltation of smoke!
For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.
For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the rising of smoke.
For wickedness is kindled as a fire, it shall devour the brier and the thorn: and shall kindle in the thicket of the forest, and it shall be wrapped up in smoke ascending on high.
When people do wicked things, it is like [SIM] a brushfire that spreads rapidly. It burns up not only briers and thorns; it starts a big fire in the forests from which clouds of smoke will rise.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 9:18
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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 9:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 9:18
Study Notes — Isaiah 9:18
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 9:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 9:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 9:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 9:18
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 9:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
- Sermons on Isaiah 9:18
Context — Judgment against Israel’s Unrepentance
18For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets, which roll upward in billows of smoke.
19By 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. 20They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 83:14 | As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze, |
| 2 | 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.” |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Isaiah 34:8–10 | For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Edom’s streams will be turned to tar, and her soil to sulfur; her land will become a blazing pitch. It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 7 | 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.” |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 32:22 | For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains. |
| 9 | Isaiah 66:16–17 | For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD. “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD. |
| 10 | Isaiah 10:16–18 | Therefore 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. 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. The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. |
Isaiah 9:18 Summary
This verse is saying that wickedness is like a fire that burns out of control, consuming everything in its path. It's a warning that when we allow wickedness to take hold in our lives, it can lead to destruction and chaos, as seen in the book of Isaiah and other places in the Bible, such as Jeremiah 17:27. The fire of wickedness can be slowed down or stopped when we turn to God and follow His ways, as seen in Psalms 37:1-7, where it says that the wicked will be cut off, but those who trust in the Lord will inherit the land. By following God's path, we can avoid being consumed by the flames of wickedness and instead find peace and righteousness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the fire in Isaiah 9:18 represent?
The fire in this verse represents the destructive power of wickedness, which consumes everything in its path, much like the refining fire mentioned in Malachi 3:2-3, where God purifies His people.
What are the thorns and briers that the fire consumes?
The thorns and briers likely represent the wicked and ungodly, as seen in Isaiah 5:6 and Matthew 13:7, where thorns and briers symbolize the things that choke out the good fruit of righteousness.
Is this verse talking about a literal fire or a spiritual one?
While the verse may be using a literal fire as an illustration, the focus is on the spiritual reality of wickedness and its destructive power, similar to the way Jesus uses physical illustrations to teach spiritual truths in the Gospel of Matthew, such as in Matthew 13:1-52.
How does this verse relate to God's judgment?
This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah that describes God's judgment on His people for their wickedness, as seen in Isaiah 9:17, where it says that God's anger is not turned away, and in Isaiah 9:19, where the land is scorched by the wrath of the Lord.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that wickedness can 'burn like a fire' in my own life, consuming the things that are good and right?
- How can I make sure that I am not contributing to the 'thorns and briers' that the fire of wickedness feeds on?
- What are some ways that I can 'kindle' a fire of righteousness in my own heart, rather than allowing the flames of wickedness to spread?
- How can I be a source of light and hope in a world that is often consumed by darkness and wickedness, as seen in Matthew 5:14-16?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 9:18
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 9:18
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 9:18
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 9:18
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 9:18
Sermons on Isaiah 9:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Towers Have Fallen (Sept 16 2001) - Part 3 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the need for repentance and turning away from wicked ways to avoid God's judgment. It warns of the consequences of societal sins, such as idolatry, immoralit |
|
Epistle 236 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the enduring power of truth and the sovereignty of God amidst trials and tribulations. He encourages believers to find strength in Christ, the bread of li |
|
A Cry Against the Wicked Youth of America by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher talks about a man, a Hebrew, who is running through the streets proclaiming that there are only 40 days left before everyone will die because of their |
|
Christless Pentecost - Part 2 by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for repentance and holiness in the church. He predicts a revival among young people and the downfall of drug abuse, alcoholism, and |
|
A Vision of the Latter-Day Glories by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unstoppable growth of the church and the gathering of all nations to worship God. He uses the imagery of a dry riverbed gradually fillin |
|
(Saved Through the Fire) 01 - the Path of True Salvation by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Malachi 3:1, which speaks of the coming of John the Baptist as a messenger to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. The speaker emphas |
|
(Through the Bible) Malachi by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of giving and receiving in accordance with a divine spiritual law. He compares it to the natural laws that govern our universe, s |





