Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. Berean Literal Bible For Topheth was arranged long ago—even for the king it was prepared. He has made it deep and large, the pile of fire and much wood. The breath of YHWH like a torrent of brimstone will set fire to it! 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. Berean Annotated Bible For Topheth (place of fire) 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 {YHWH}, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze. 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. 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor 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. 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 VersionFor 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! Berean Literal Bible For Topheth was arranged long ago—even for the king it was prepared. He has made it deep and large, the pile of fire and much wood. The breath of YHWH like a torrent of brimstone will set fire to 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 BibleFor 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 BibleFor 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 1917For 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 For Topheth has long been prepared; Jeremiah 7:31-32 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. / So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth and the Valley of Ben-hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter. For they will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room. Jeremiah 19:6-13 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. / And in this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who seek their lives, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. / I will make this city a desolation and an object of scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff at all her wounds. … 2 Kings 23:10 He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech. it has been made ready for the king. Isaiah 10:12-19 So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes. / For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” … 2 Kings 19:35-37 And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place. 2 Chronicles 32:21 and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, Ezekiel 32:18-23 “Son of man, wail for the multitudes of Egypt, and consign her and the daughters of the mighty nations to the depths of the earth with those who descend to the Pit: / Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down and be placed with the uncircumcised! / They will fall among those slain by the sword. The sword is appointed! Let them drag her away along with all her multitudes. … Isaiah 5:14 Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers! Psalm 88:3-6 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. / I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. / I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. … with plenty of fire and wood. Ezekiel 39:9-10 Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, kindle fires, and burn up the weapons—the bucklers and shields, the bows and arrows, the clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel. / They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD. Leviticus 6:12-13 The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. / The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished. Genesis 22:6-8 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac. He himself carried the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together. / Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” “Here I am, my son,” he replied. “The fire and the wood are here,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” / Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze. Isaiah 11:4 but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. 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. Deuteronomy 29:23-24 All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger. / So all the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’ 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. 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 WoodJump to Next Breath Brimstone Burning Deep Fire Hearth Kindles Large Ordained Ordered Pile Prepared Ready Stream Sulfur Thereof Tophet Topheth WoodIsaiah 30 1. The prophet threatens the people for their confidence in Egypt8. 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; Topheth, located in the Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, was historically associated with child sacrifices to the pagan god Molech. This place became a symbol of judgment and divine wrath. The preparation of Topheth signifies God's longstanding plan for judgment against sin and rebellion. The imagery of preparation suggests intentionality and inevitability, reflecting God's sovereign justice. 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. TophethA location in the Valley of Hinnom, historically associated with child sacrifices to the god Molech. It symbolizes a place of judgment and destruction. 2. The King While not explicitly named, this likely refers to the Assyrian king or any earthly ruler opposing God's will, symbolizing those who stand against God. 3. The LORD The sovereign God of Israel, whose breath is depicted as a consuming fire, symbolizing divine judgment and power. 4. The Pyre Represents the prepared place of judgment, deep and wide, indicating the thoroughness and inevitability of God's judgment. 5. Brimstone A symbol of divine wrath and purification, often associated with judgment in biblical literature. Teaching Points The Certainty of Divine JudgmentGod's judgment is prepared and certain for those who oppose Him. Just as Topheth was prepared, so is the judgment for those who reject God's authority. The Sovereignty of God The breath of the LORD symbolizes His ultimate power and control over all creation. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty even amidst worldly chaos. The Call to Repentance The imagery of fire and brimstone serves as a warning to turn away from sin and idolatry. It is a call to repentance and alignment with God's will. The Holiness of God God's holiness demands justice. Understanding His nature should lead believers to live in reverence and obedience. The Assurance of Salvation For believers, the judgment of God is a reminder of the salvation offered through Christ, who bore the wrath of God on our behalf. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 30:33?2. How does Isaiah 30:33 illustrate God's judgment and justice? 3. What does "breath of the LORD" signify in Isaiah 30:33? 4. How can Isaiah 30:33 deepen our understanding of God's holiness? 5. How does Isaiah 30:33 connect with Revelation's depiction of divine judgment? 6. How should Isaiah 30:33 influence our daily walk with God? 7. What is the significance of Topheth in Isaiah 30:33? 8. How does Isaiah 30:33 relate to God's judgment? 9. Why is the imagery of fire used in Isaiah 30:33? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 30? 11. What is Topheth in the Bible? 12. What is Topheth in the Bible? 13. Why does Isaiah 30:33 describe a place of burning (Topheth), and does this align or conflict with other biblical references to punishment? 14. Can God be seen? (Exodus 33:20 vs. Genesis 32:30) What Does Isaiah 30:33 Mean For Topheth has long been prepared• “Topheth” is a literal place in the Valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, notorious for child sacrifice (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31). • Isaiah declares that God Himself has been planning judgment there “long” before Judah’s present crisis, showing His sovereign foreknowledge (Isaiah 14:24; Acts 15:18). • The certainty of a prepared judgment answers Judah’s foolish trust in Egypt (Isaiah 30:1–5); deliverance cannot come from human alliances but from the Lord who already has justice in place (Psalm 9:7–8). it has been made ready for the king • “The king” points immediately to Assyria’s arrogant ruler—later identified as Sennacherib (Isaiah 37:33-38)—but foreshadows every God-defying power, culminating in the final antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:20). • God’s justice is personal and targeted: He prepares a specific place for a specific offender (Daniel 4:30–32). • The verse comforts believers that the mightiest earthly tyrant cannot escape the Lord’s appointed end (Psalm 2:1-6). Its funeral pyre is deep and wide • The imagery shifts from a pagan altar to an enormous cremation site, stressing the magnitude of the sentence (Ezekiel 38:22). • Depth and breadth convey permanence and thoroughness; nothing of the wicked ruler will remain (Obadiah 1:16). • This prepares the reader to grasp the seriousness of God’s wrath against sin, not merely against policies or mistakes (Romans 2:5). with plenty of fire and wood • God stocks His own judgment fire; no outside fuel is needed (Leviticus 10:1-2; Hebrews 10:27). • “Plenty” underscores exhaustiveness—His resources for justice never run out (Nahum 1:6). • The people of Judah once supplied wood for idolatrous fires; now the Lord shows He alone controls the true flame (Jeremiah 19:5-6). The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze • Divine breath both gives life (Genesis 2:7) and destroys rebellion (Isaiah 11:4; Revelation 19:15). • A “torrent” pictures unstoppable force; “burning sulfur” recalls Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24), warning of real, fiery judgment (Matthew 25:41). • Fire comes directly from God, emphasizing that hell is not Satan’s domain but God’s righteous courtroom (Mark 9:48; Revelation 20:10). summary Isaiah 30:33 paints a vivid, literal scene: God has deliberately prepared Topheth as a massive, fiery judgment site for the proud king of Assyria and every subsequent rebel leader. The verse assures believers that the Lord’s justice is certain, ample, and personally administered. No human power can escape; yet those who trust Him instead of earthly alliances are delivered (Isaiah 30:15–18). (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. |
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