Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. These are not coals for warmth; this is not a fire to sit by. New Living Translation But they are like straw burning in a fire; they cannot save themselves from the flame. You will get no help from them at all; their hearth is no place to sit for warmth. English Standard Version Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before! Berean Standard Bible Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. Berean Literal Bible Behold, they have become like stubble, and the fire burns them up; they will not deliver their soul from the hand of the flame—there is not a coal to warm, nor fire to sit before it! King James Bible Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. New King James Version Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves From the power of the flame; It shall not be a coal to be warmed by, Nor a fire to sit before! New American Standard Bible “Behold, they have become like stubble, Fire burns them; They cannot save themselves from the power of the flame; There will be no coal to warm by Nor a fire to sit before! NASB 1995 “Behold, they have become like stubble, Fire burns them; They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; There will be no coal to warm by Nor a fire to sit before! NASB 1977 “Behold, they have become like stubble, Fire burns them; They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; There will be no coal to warm by, Nor a fire to sit before! Legacy Standard Bible Behold, they have become like stubble, Fire burns them; They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; There will be no coal to warm by Nor a fire to sit before! Amplified Bible “In fact, they are like stubble; Fire burns them. They cannot save themselves from the power of the flame [much less save the nation], There is no blazing coal for warming Nor fire before which to sit! Berean Annotated Bible Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. Christian Standard Bible Look, they are like stubble; fire burns them. They cannot rescue themselves from the power of the flame. This is not a coal for warming themselves, or a fire to sit beside! Holman Christian Standard Bible Look, they are like stubble; fire burns them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. This is not a coal for warming themselves, or a fire to sit beside! American Standard Version Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. Contemporary English Version People who trust the stars are as helpless as straw in a flaming fire. No one can even keep warm, sitting by a fire that feeds only on straw. English Revised Version Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. GOD'S WORD® Translation They are like straw. Fire burns them. They can't rescue themselves from the flames. There are no glowing coals to keep them warm and no fire for them to sit by. Good News Translation "They will be like bits of straw, and a fire will burn them up! They will not even be able to save themselves--the flames will be too hot for them, not a cozy fire to warm themselves by. International Standard Version "See, they are just like stubble; fire burns them up. They could not even save themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals for warming oneself, no fire to sit by. NET Bible Look, they are like straw, which the fire burns up; they cannot rescue themselves from the heat of the flames. There are no coals to warm them, no firelight to enjoy. New Heart English Bible Look, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. Webster's Bible Translation Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSurely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. World English Bible Behold, they are like stubble. The fire will burn them. They won’t deliver themselves from the power of the flame. It won’t be a coal to warm at or a fire to sit by. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBehold, they have been as stubble! Fire has burned them, "" They do not deliver themselves from the power of the flame, "" There is not a coal to warm them, a light to sit before it. Berean Literal Bible Behold, they have become like stubble, and the fire burns them up; they will not deliver their soul from the hand of the flame—there is not a coal to warm, nor fire to sit before it! Young's Literal Translation Lo, they have been as stubble! Fire hath burned them, They deliver not themselves from the power of the flame, There is not a coal to warm them, a light to sit before it. Smith's Literal Translation Behold, they were as straw; the fire burnt them; they shall not deliver their soul from the hand of the flame: not a coal for warming, light to sit before it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold they are as stubble, fire hath burnt them, they shall not deliver them- selves from the power of the dames: there are no coals wherewith they may be warmed, nor fire, that they may sit thereat. Catholic Public Domain Version Behold, they have become like stubble. Fire has consumed them. They will not free themselves from the power of the flames. These are not coals by which they may be warmed, nor is this a fire which they may sit beside. New American Bible See, they are like stubble, fire consumes them; They cannot deliver themselves from the spreading flames. This is no warming ember, no fire to sit before! New Revised Standard Version See, they are like stubble, the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, they have become as stubble which is consumed by the fire; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; there are no coals to warm them, nor fire to sit before. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold, they have been as chips which the fire has burned, and they shall not save their soul from the hand of the flame. There are no coals for their fire, neither brightness sitting next to it OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, they shall be as stubble; The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves From the power of the flame; It shall not be a coal to warm at, Nor a fire to sit before. Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, they all shall be burnt up as sticks in the fire; neither shall they at all deliver their life from the flame. Because thou hast coals of fire, sit thou upon them; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Fall of Babylon Predicted…13You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. 14Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. 15This is what they are to you—those with whom you have labored and traded from youth—each one strays in his own direction; not one of them can save you.… Cross References Surely they are like stubble; 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.” 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. Obadiah 1:18 Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken. the fire will burn them up. Psalm 21:9 You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them. Hebrews 10:27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. 2 Thessalonians 1:8 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. Ezekiel 15:7 And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD. Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?” Amos 5:6 Seek the LORD and live, or He will sweep like fire through the house of Joseph; it will devour everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it. There will be no coals to warm them Isaiah 44:16 He burns half of it in the fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. Indeed, he warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” John 18:18 Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself. or fire to sit beside. Luke 22:55 When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Mark 14:54 Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire. Jeremiah 36:22 Since it was the ninth month, the king was sitting in his winter quarters with a fire burning before him. Revelation 18:8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” Jeremiah 51:58 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” Treasury of Scripture Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. they shall Isaiah 40:24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. Isaiah 41:2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow. Ezekiel 15:7 And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them. themselves Heb. Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? there shall Isaiah 30:14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit. Jeremiah 51:25,26 Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain… Revelation 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. Jump to Previous Able Burn Burned Burns Coal Coals Consumes Deliver Dry Fire Flame Light Oneself Power Safe Save Seated Sit Stems Stubble Surely Themselves Warm WarmingJump to Next Able Burn Burned Burns Coal Coals Consumes Deliver Dry Fire Flame Light Oneself Power Safe Save Seated Sit Stems Stubble Surely Themselves Warm WarmingIsaiah 47 1. God's judgment upon Babylon and Chaldea6. For their unmercifulness 7. Pride 10. And over-boldness 11. Shall be irresistible Surely they are like stubble; In biblical times, stubble referred to the dry stalks left after grain harvest, symbolizing something easily consumed and of little value. This imagery is used to depict the futility and vulnerability of Babylon's magicians and astrologers, who are unable to withstand God's judgment. The comparison to stubble emphasizes their impending destruction and the swiftness with which it will occur, as stubble is quickly consumed by fire. the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. Persons / Places / Events 1. BabylonThe city and empire being addressed in Isaiah 47. Known for its wealth, power, and idolatry, Babylon is a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. 2. The Prophet Isaiah The author of the book, Isaiah was a prophet in Judah who conveyed God's messages of judgment and hope to the people. 3. The Judgment of God The event being described in this passage, where God pronounces judgment on Babylon for its arrogance and idolatry. Teaching Points The Inevitability of God's JudgmentGod's judgment is certain and inescapable for those who oppose Him. Just as stubble is consumed by fire, so will those who rely on their own strength and wisdom be unable to stand against God's righteous judgment. The Futility of Human Efforts Human efforts and wisdom, represented by Babylon's magicians and astrologers, are powerless to save. This reminds us to place our trust in God rather than in human abilities or achievements. The Nature of True Security True security is found in God alone. The inability of Babylon to find warmth or comfort from the fire symbolizes the emptiness of relying on anything other than God for security and peace. The Call to Repentance This passage serves as a warning and a call to repentance. It encourages us to examine our lives and turn away from anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 47:14?2. How does Isaiah 47:14 illustrate the futility of relying on false gods? 3. What can we learn about God's power from Isaiah 47:14's imagery? 4. How does Isaiah 47:14 connect to the theme of divine judgment in Scripture? 5. How should Isaiah 47:14 influence our understanding of God's sovereignty today? 6. What practical steps can we take to avoid the fate described in Isaiah 47:14? 7. What is the historical context of Isaiah 47:14? 8. How does Isaiah 47:14 reflect God's judgment on Babylon? 9. What does Isaiah 47:14 reveal about God's power over nations? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 47? 11. What does 'bruised reed' and 'smoking flax' signify? 12. Has there been any historical or archaeological evidence to support the fulfillment of Malachi 4:3, where the righteous literally tread on the ashes of the wicked? 13. Isaiah 47:14 - Where is the historical or scientific evidence of people burning up like stubble as a direct fulfillment of this prophecy? 14. Proverbs 25:21-22 - Does instructing believers to 'heap burning coals' on an enemy's head conflict with later biblical teachings on compassion and forgiveness? What Does Isaiah 47:14 Mean Surely they are like stubbleGod pictures Babylon’s astrologers and sorcerers as leftover straw on a harvested field—weightless, rootless, and good only for kindling. • Psalm 83:13 shows the same image: “Make them like tumbleweed… like chaff before the wind.” • Nahum 1:10 echoes, “They will be consumed like dry stubble.” • John the Baptist applies it universally in Matthew 3:12, where the chaff meets “unquenchable fire.” The point is simple: every human scheme that ignores the LORD is as temporary and combustible as stubble. The fire will burn them up The “fire” is God’s judgment, and it is certain, complete, and personal. • Isaiah 10:17 calls the Holy One “a fire” that “will burn and consume.” • Malachi 4:1 warns that a day is coming “burning like a furnace.” • Revelation 18:8 foretells Babylon’s end: “She will be consumed by fire.” What Babylon’s magicians called down for protection will instead arrive as the very blaze that ends them. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame No charm, prediction, or political alliance can shield a soul from the Lord’s verdict. • Isaiah 42:17 says idol-trusting people “will be turned back in utter shame.” • Psalm 49:7-8 reminds us, “No man can redeem his life, or give to God a ransom for him.” • Jeremiah 50:32 promises the proud will “stumble and fall with no one to lift him up,” as God Himself kindles the fire. Human self-rescue ends where divine holiness begins. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside The same flame that destroys offers zero comfort; it leaves only cold desolation. • Job 20:26 speaks of “a fire unfanned” that consumes and leaves nothing. • Lamentations 4:11 records how the LORD “kindled a fire in Zion that has consumed her foundations”—nothing soothing remained. • Revelation 18:9-10 shows the world watching Babylon’s smoke from a distance, powerless to help and terrified to come near. The lesson: judgment fire is not a cozy hearth; it is a consuming blaze that strips away every illusion of safety. summary Isaiah 47:14 dismantles the false security of Babylon’s spiritual experts. Like dry straw, they ignite under God’s righteous flame, unable to rescue themselves or others. The fire that falls offers no warmth, only total loss. Scripture consistently affirms that anyone or anything set against the LORD—no matter how sophisticated—faces the same outcome: swift, certain, and inescapable judgment. True safety is found only in humble trust and obedience to the one living God who controls the fire. (14) There shall not be a coal to warm at.--Better, it shall not be . . . The destroying flame shall be altogether other than the fire on the hearth, at which a man can sit and warm himself.Verse 14. - Behold, they shall be as stubble (comp. Isaiah 5:24; Isaiah 40:24; Isaiah 41:2). A favourite metaphor with Isaiah for extreme weakness and incapacity of resistance. In Isaiah 5:24 it is connected, as here, with fire. No doubt in Palestine, as elsewhere, an accidental fire from time to time caught hold of a stubble-field, and speedily reduced it to a mass of blackened ashes. The threat here is that God's wrath shall similarly sweep over Babylon. They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame. Mr. Cheyne translates, with much spirit, "They cannot rescue their soul from the clutch of the flame." Like those who are caught in the midst of a fire in a prairie or jungle, they have no escape - the flame is on all sides - and they cannot but perish. There shall not be a coal to warm at; rather, it is not a charcoal-fire to warm one's self at. A return to the sarcastic tone of vers. 12, 13. The conflagration which spreads around is something more than a fire to warm one's self at - it is an awful widespread devastation.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Surelyהִנֵּ֨ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! they are הָי֤וּ (hā·yū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be like stubble; כְקַשׁ֙ (ḵə·qaš) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7179: Stubble, chaff the fire אֵ֣שׁ (’êš) Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire will burn them up. שְׂרָפָ֔תַם (śə·rā·p̄ā·ṯam) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 8313: To be, on fire They cannot לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no deliver יַצִּ֥ילוּ (yaṣ·ṣî·lū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver themselves נַפְשָׁ֖ם (nap̄·šām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion from the power מִיַּ֣ד (mî·yaḏ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand of the flame. לֶֽהָבָ֑ה (le·hā·ḇāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3852: A flash, a sharply polished blade, point of a, weapon There will be no אֵין־ (’ên-) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle coals גַּחֶ֣לֶת (ga·ḥe·leṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1513: An ember to warm them לַחְמָ֔ם (laḥ·mām) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 2552: To be or become warm or fire א֖וּר (’ūr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 217: Flame, the East to sit לָשֶׁ֥בֶת (lā·še·ḇeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry beside. נֶגְדּֽוֹ׃ (neḡ·dōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before Links Isaiah 47:14 NIVIsaiah 47:14 NLT Isaiah 47:14 ESV Isaiah 47:14 NASB Isaiah 47:14 KJV Isaiah 47:14 BibleApps.com Isaiah 47:14 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 47:14 Chinese Bible Isaiah 47:14 French Bible Isaiah 47:14 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 47:14 Behold they shall be as stubble (Isa Isi Is) |
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