Isaiah 30:33
New International Version
Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its fire pit has been made deep and wide, with an abundance of fire and wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.

New Living Translation
Topheth—the place of burning— has long been ready for the Assyrian king; the pyre is piled high with wood. The breath of the LORD, like fire from a volcano, will set it ablaze.

English Standard Version
For a burning place has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.

Berean Standard Bible
For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.

King James Bible
For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

New King James Version
For Tophet was established of old, Yes, for the king it is prepared. He has made it deep and large; Its pyre is fire with much wood; The breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, Kindles it.

New American Standard Bible
For Topheth has long been ready, Indeed, it has been prepared for the king. He has made it deep and large, A pyre of fire with plenty of wood; The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of brimstone, sets it afire.

NASB 1995
For Topheth has long been ready, Indeed, it has been prepared for the king. He has made it deep and large, A pyre of fire with plenty of wood; The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of brimstone, sets it afire.

NASB 1977
For Topheth has long been ready, Indeed, it has been prepared for the king. He has made it deep and large, A pyre of fire with plenty of wood; The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of brimstone, sets it afire.

Legacy Standard Bible
For Topheth has long been ready, Indeed, it has been prepared for the king. He has made it deep and large, A pyre of fire with plenty of wood; The breath of Yahweh, like a torrent of brimstone, sets it afire.

Amplified Bible
For Topheth [in Hinnom] has long been ready; Indeed, it has been prepared for the [Assyrian] king. He has made it deep and wide, A pit of fire with plenty of wood; The breath of the LORD, like a river of brimstone (blazing sulfur), kindles and fans it.

Christian Standard Bible
Indeed! Topheth has been ready for the king for a long time. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, kindles it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Indeed! Topheth has been ready for the king for a long time now. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of brimstone, kindles it.

American Standard Version
For a Topheth is prepared of old; yea, for the king it is made ready; he hath made it deep and large; the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of Jehovah, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

Contemporary English Version
Long ago the LORD got a place ready for burning the body of the dead king. The place for the fire is deep and wide, the wood is piled high, and the LORD will start the fire by breathing out flaming sulfur.

English Revised Version
For a Topheth is prepared of old; yea, for the king it is made ready; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Topheth was prepared long ago. It was made ready for the king. It was made deep and wide and piled high with plenty of burning logs. The LORD's breath will be like a flood of burning sulfur, setting it on fire.

Good News Translation
Long ago a place was prepared where a huge fire will burn the emperor of Assyria. It is deep and wide, and piled high with wood. The LORD will breathe out a stream of flame to set it on fire.

International Standard Version
For the Fire Pit has long been prepared; truly it is for the king; it will indeed be made ready. And its pyre will be deep and wide, with abundant fire and wood. Like a stream of burning sulfur, the breath of the LORD will set it ablaze.

Majority Standard Bible
For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.

NET Bible
For the burial place is already prepared; it has been made deep and wide for the king. The firewood is piled high on it. The LORD's breath, like a stream flowing with brimstone, will ignite it.

New Heart English Bible
For his burning place has long been ready. Yes, for the king it is made ready. He has made its pyre deep and large with fire and much wood. The LORD's breath, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.

Webster's Bible Translation
For Tophet is ordained of old; yes, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile of it is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

World English Bible
For his burning place has long been ready. Yes, it is prepared for the king. He has made its pyre deep and large with fire and much wood. Yahweh’s breath, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For Tophet is arranged from former time, "" Even it is prepared for the king, "" He has made deep, "" He has made large, "" Its pile [is] fire and much wood, "" The breath of YHWH, "" As a stream of brimstone, is burning in it!

Young's Literal Translation
For, arranged from former time is Tophet, Even it for the king is prepared, He hath made deep, He hath made large, Its pile is fire and much wood, The breath of Jehovah, As a stream of brim stone, is burning in it!

Smith's Literal Translation
For tophet was set in order from yesterday; also it was prepared; for the king, he made deep, he made broad, its pile fire and much wood; the breath of Jehovah as a torrent of pitch burned upon it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For Topheth is prepared from yesterday, prepared by the king, deep, and wide. The nourishment thereof is fire and much wood: the breath of the Lord as a torrent of brimstone kindling it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For a burning place, deep and wide, has been prepared from yesterday, prepared by the King. Its nourishment is fire and much wood. The breath of the Lord, like a torrent of brimstone, kindles it.

New American Bible
For his tophet has long been ready, truly it is prepared for the king; His firepit made both deep and wide, with fire and firewood in abundance, And the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, setting it afire.

New Revised Standard Version
For his burning place has long been prepared; truly it is made ready for the king, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he has prepared his punishment of old; yea, it is prepared to be executed; he has made it deep and large in his dwelling place; the wood and the fire are plentiful; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, does kindle it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he prepared his provision before the days, also this one is prepared to reign, and he went deep and expanded the house of his dwelling. The wood and fire are abundant, and the breath of LORD JEHOVAH is like a torrent and brimstone that is burning in it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For a hearth is ordered of old; Yea, for the king it is prepared, Deep and large; The pile thereof is fire and much wood; The breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thou shalt be required before thy time: has it been prepared for thee also to reign? nay, God has prepared for thee a deep trench, wood piled, fire and much wood: the wrath of the Lord shall be as a trench kindled with sulphur.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Mercies
32And with every stroke of the rod of punishment that the LORD brings down on them, the tambourines and lyres will sound as He battles with weapons brandished. 33For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.

Cross References
Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Matthew 25:41
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

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.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. / They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,

Matthew 13:42
And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Revelation 14:10-11
he too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. / And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

Mark 9:43-48
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. / where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ / 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. ...

Luke 16:23-24
In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. / So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Matthew 3:12
His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Jeremiah 7:31
They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.

Jeremiah 19:5-6
They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind. / So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth or the Valley of Ben-hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.

Ezekiel 38:22
I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Ezekiel 39:6
I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD.

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.”


Treasury of Scripture

For Tophet is ordained of old; yes, for the king it is prepared; he has made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, does kindle it.

Tophet

2 Kings 23:10
And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

Jeremiah 7:31,32
And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart…

Jeremiah 19:6,11-14
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter…

ordained

Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

of old.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

for the king

Isaiah 14:9-20
Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations…

Isaiah 37:38
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

Ezekiel 32:22,23
Asshur is there and all her company: his graves are about him: all of them slain, fallen by the sword: …

the breath

Isaiah 30:27,28
Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: …

Genesis 19:24
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Psalm 40:5,6
Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered…

Jump to Previous
Breath Brimstone Burning Deep Fire Hearth Kindles Large Ordained Ordered Pile Prepared Ready Stream Sulfur Thereof Tophet Topheth Wood
Jump to Next
Breath Brimstone Burning Deep Fire Hearth Kindles Large Ordained Ordered Pile Prepared Ready Stream Sulfur Thereof Tophet Topheth Wood
Isaiah 30
1. The prophet threatens the people for their confidence in Egypt
8. And contempt of God's word
18. God's mercies toward his church
27. God's wrath and the people's joy, in the destruction of Assyria














For Topheth has long been prepared
The term "Topheth" refers to a location in the Valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, historically associated with child sacrifices to the pagan god Molech. The Hebrew root of "Topheth" suggests a place of burning or a furnace, symbolizing judgment and destruction. In a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a stark reminder of God's righteous judgment against sin and idolatry. The phrase "has long been prepared" indicates God's foreknowledge and the certainty of His plans. It underscores the idea that divine justice is not arbitrary but is part of God's sovereign and eternal plan.

it has been made ready for the king
The "king" here is often interpreted as the Assyrian king, representing the enemies of God's people. Historically, this reflects the fate awaiting those who oppose God's will. From a theological standpoint, it serves as a warning to all leaders and nations that defy God's authority. The preparation "for the king" emphasizes that no earthly power can escape divine judgment. It is a call for humility and repentance, recognizing that all authority ultimately belongs to God.

Its funeral pyre is deep and wide
The imagery of a "funeral pyre" conveys a sense of finality and total destruction. The words "deep and wide" suggest the vastness and inescapability of God's judgment. In the Hebrew context, this would evoke the seriousness of divine retribution. For believers, it serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of living in accordance with God's commandments. It also reassures the faithful that God will ultimately triumph over evil.

with plenty of fire and wood
The abundance of "fire and wood" signifies the intensity and completeness of the judgment. Fire, in biblical symbolism, often represents purification and the presence of God. The provision of "plenty" indicates that God's judgment is thorough and sufficient. This phrase encourages believers to trust in God's justice, knowing that He will address all wrongs in His perfect timing. It also serves as a call to spiritual vigilance, urging Christians to remain steadfast in their faith.

The breath of the LORD
"The breath of the LORD" is a powerful metaphor for God's active presence and intervention. In Hebrew, "breath" (ruach) can also mean spirit or wind, symbolizing life and power. This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to enact His will effortlessly. For Christians, it is a reminder of the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and empowering believers. It reassures the faithful that God's presence is both a comfort and a force against evil.

like a torrent of brimstone
A "torrent of brimstone" evokes images of overwhelming and consuming fire, reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Brimstone, or sulfur, is associated with divine wrath and purification. This phrase underscores the seriousness of God's judgment against sin. It serves as a warning to those who persist in rebellion against God, while also offering hope to believers that evil will not prevail. It calls Christians to live righteously, anticipating the ultimate purification of creation.

sets it ablaze
The act of setting "it ablaze" signifies the initiation of judgment by God Himself. It is a decisive action that reflects God's authority and power. In the biblical narrative, fire often symbolizes God's holiness and His ability to purify and renew. For believers, this phrase is a reminder of the transformative power of God's judgment, which not only punishes but also purifies. It inspires Christians to seek holiness and to trust in God's redemptive plan for the world.

(33) Tophet is ordained of old.--Literally, the Tophet, or place of burning, with perhaps the secondary sense of "a place of loathing." Tophet was the name given to the Valley of Hinnom, outside Jerusalem, where, within the memory of living men, Ahaz had made his son to pass through the fire to Moloch (2Kings 16:3), and where like sacrifices had taken place up to the time of Hezekiah's accession. "The king" is, of course, the king of Assyria; but the Hebrew, "for the melek," suggests a sarcastic reference to the god there worshipped, as if it were "for Moloch." There was to be a great sacrifice of the Melek to the Moloch, who was as a mighty king (the name of the Ammonite god being a dialectic form of the Hebrew Melek) exulting in his victims. (Comp. for the idea Isaiah 31:9.)

The pile thereof is fire and much wood.--The word seems partly literal, and partly figurative. The king of Assyria, though he did not die at Jerusalem, is represented as burnt with stately ceremonial in Tophet. Probably, as a matter of fact, it was the burial place of the corpses that were lying round the city after the pestilence had destroyed the Assyrian army, and they were literally burnt there. For such a Moloch funeral, making the valley of Hinnom then, as it afterwards became, a fit type of Gehenna, a trench deep and wide and a mighty pyre were needed. Comp. Jeremiah 19:12, where like words are spoken of Jerusalem.

Verse 33. - For Tophet is ordained of old; rather, for a Tophet has been long since prepared. A "Tophet" is a place of burning, probably derived from the Aryan root tap or taph, found in Greek τάφος τέφρα, Latin tep-idus, Sanskrit tap, Persian taphtan. The name was specially attached to a particular spot in the Valley of Hinnom, where sacrifices were offered to Moloch (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 19:6, 11, etc.); but Isaiah seems to use it generically, as if there were many Tophets. For the king it is prepared; literally, it also is prepared for the king - in the Hebrew "for the moloch," which is the same word as "Moloch," who was looked upon by his worshippers as "the king" ςκατς ἐξοχήν. Isaiah means to say, "As the Tophet of the Vale of Hinnom is prepared for a king (Moloch), so this new Tophet is prepared for another king (the King of Assyria)." He hath made it deep and large - a vast burning-place for a vast multitude (2 Kings 19:35), with the fire and the wood ready, only awaiting the breath of Jehovah to kindle it. As the bodies of great malefactors were burnt (Joshua 7:25), and not buried, so the prophet consigns to a great burning the hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrian corpses, of which it would soon be necessary to dispose in some way.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Topheth
תָּפְתֶּ֔ה (tā·p̄ə·teh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8613: Topheth -- a place of burning, probably the same as Topheth

has long
מֵֽאֶתְמוּל֙ (mê·’eṯ·mūl)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 865: Heretofore, definitely yesterday

been prepared;
עָר֤וּךְ (‘ā·rūḵ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

it has been made ready
הוּכָ֖ן (hū·ḵān)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

for the king.
לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Its funeral pyre
מְדֻרָתָ֗הּ (mə·ḏu·rā·ṯāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4071: A pile (of wood)

is deep
הֶעְמִ֣יק (he‘·mîq)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6009: To be, deep

and wide,
הִרְחִ֑ב (hir·ḥiḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7337: To be or grow wide or large

with plenty of
הַרְבֵּ֔ה (har·bêh)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

fire
אֵ֤שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

and wood.
וְעֵצִים֙ (wə·‘ê·ṣîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

The breath
נִשְׁמַ֤ת (niš·maṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5397: A puff, wind, angry, vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect, an animal

of the LORD,
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

like a torrent
כְּנַ֣חַל (kə·na·ḥal)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

of brimstone,
גָּפְרִ֔ית (gā·p̄ə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1614: Cypress-resin, sulphur

sets it ablaze.
בֹּעֲרָ֖ה (bō·‘ă·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 1197: To kindle, consume, to be, brutish


Links
Isaiah 30:33 NIV
Isaiah 30:33 NLT
Isaiah 30:33 ESV
Isaiah 30:33 NASB
Isaiah 30:33 KJV

Isaiah 30:33 BibleApps.com
Isaiah 30:33 Biblia Paralela
Isaiah 30:33 Chinese Bible
Isaiah 30:33 French Bible
Isaiah 30:33 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Isaiah 30:33 For his burning place has long been (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 30:32
Top of Page
Top of Page