Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. New Living Translation But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment. English Standard Version Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. Berean Standard Bible Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who array yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! This is what you will receive from My hand: You will lie down in a place of torment. Berean Literal Bible Behold, all of you⁺ kindling a fire, girding on firebrands—walk in the light of your⁺ fire, and of the firebrands you⁺ have kindled! This is for you⁺ from My hand; you⁺ will lie down in a place of torment. King James Bible Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. New King James Version Look, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled— This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment. New American Standard Bible Behold, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with flaming arrows, Walk in the light of your fire And among the flaming arrows you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand: You will lie down in torment. NASB 1995 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with firebrands, Walk in the light of your fire And among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand: You will lie down in torment. NASB 1977 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with firebrands, Walk in the light of your fire And among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand; And you will lie down in torment. Legacy Standard Bible Behold, all you who kindle a fire, Who gird yourselves with firebrands, Walk in the light of your fire And among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand: You will lie down in torment. Amplified Bible Listen carefully, all you who kindle your own fire [devising your own man-made plan of salvation], Who surround yourselves with torches, Walk by the light of your [self-made] fire And among the torches that you have set ablaze. But this you will have from My hand: You will lie down in [a place of] torment. Berean Annotated Bible Behold, all you⁺ who kindle a fire, who array yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your⁺ fire and of the firebrands you⁺ have lit! This is what you⁺ will receive from My hand: You⁺ will lie down in a place of torment. Christian Standard Bible Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with torches; walk in the light of your fire and of the torches you have lit! This is what you’ll get from my hand: you will lie down in a place of torment. Holman Christian Standard Bible Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with firebrands; walk in the light of your fire and in the firebrands you have lit! This is what you’ll get from My hand: you will lie down in a place of torment. American Standard Version Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands; walk ye in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. Contemporary English Version Go ahead and walk in the light of the fires you have set. But with his own hand, the LORD will punish you and make you suffer. English Revised Version Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands: walk ye in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. GOD'S WORD® Translation But all of you light fires and arm yourselves with flaming torches. So walk in your own light and among the torches you have lit. This is what you will receive from me: You will be tormented. Good News Translation All of you that plot to destroy others will be destroyed by your own plots. The LORD himself will make this happen; you will suffer a miserable fate. International Standard Version Look! All those who light a fire, who surround yourselves with flaming torches— walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have set ablaze! This is what you will receive from my hand: you will lie down in torment. NET Bible Look, all of you who start a fire and who equip yourselves with flaming arrows, walk in the light of the fire you started and among the flaming arrows you ignited! This is what you will receive from me: you will lie down in a place of pain. New Heart English Bible Look, all you who kindle a fire, who adorn yourselves with torches around yourselves; walk in the light of your fire, and among the torches that you have kindled. You shall have this of my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow. Webster's Bible Translation Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that encompass yourselves with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBehold, all you who kindle a fire, who array yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! This is what you will receive from My hand: You will lie down in a place of torment. World English Bible Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who adorn yourselves with torches around yourselves, walk in the flame of your fire, and among the torches that you have kindled. You will have this from my hand: you will lie down in sorrow. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBehold, all you kindling a fire, girding on sparks, "" Walk in the light of your fire, "" And in the sparks you have caused to burn, "" This has been to you from My hand, "" You lie down in grief!” Berean Literal Bible Behold, all of you⁺ kindling a fire, girding on firebrands—walk in the light of your⁺ fire, and of the firebrands you⁺ have kindled! This is for you⁺ from My hand; you⁺ will lie down in a place of torment. Young's Literal Translation Lo, all ye kindling a fire, girding on sparks, Walk ye in the light of your fire, And in the sparks ye have caused to burn, From my hand hath this been to you, In grief ye lie down! Smith's Literal Translation Behold, all ye kindling a fire, girding yourselves with fiery darts: go ye in the light of your fire, and in the fiery darts ye kindled. From my hand was this to you; ye shall lie down for sorrow. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold all you that kindle a fire, encompassed with dames, walk in the light of your fire, and in the dames which you have kindled: this is done to you by my hand, you shall sleep in sorrows. Catholic Public Domain Version Behold, all you who kindle a fire, wrapped in flames: walk in the light of your fire and in the flames that you have kindled. This has been done to you by my hand. You will sleep in anguish. New American Bible All you who kindle flames and set flares alight, Walk by the light of your own fire and by the flares you have burnt! This is your fate from my hand: you shall lie down in a place of torment. New Revised Standard Version But all of you are kindlers of fire, lighters of firebrands. Walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled! This is what you shall have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, all of you are like kindling wood and the sparks of the kindling. Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks that you have kindled. This shall you have of my hands: you shall lie down in sorrow. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold, all of you set me a fire and kindle me flames. Go in the brightness of your fire and in the flames that you have kindled; from my hands you shall encounter this: “You shall lie down in sorrow” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, That gird yourselves with firebrands, Begone in the flame of your fire, And among the brands that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of My hand; Ye shall lie down in sorrow. Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, ye all kindle a fire, and feed a flame: walk in the light of your fire, and in the flame which ye have kindled. This has happened to you for my sake; ye shall lie down in sorrow. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Servant's Obedience…10Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God. 11Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who array yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! This is what you will receive from My hand: You will lie down in a place of torment. Cross References Behold, all you who kindle a fire, Jeremiah 7:18 The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven; they pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. 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.” Isaiah 1:31 The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames. who array yourselves with firebrands, Proverbs 26:18-19 Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, / so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” Amos 4:11 “Some of you I overthrew as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. Zechariah 3:2 And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?” walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. Job 18:5-6 Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow. / The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out. Proverbs 13:9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished. This is what you will receive from My hand: Jeremiah 25:15 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. Psalm 75:8 For a cup is in the hand of the LORD, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours from His cup, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to the dregs. Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. You will lie down in a place of torment. 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 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. 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.” Psalm 18:28 For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness. Treasury of Scripture Behold, all you that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that you have kindled. This shall you have of my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow. all ye Isaiah 28:15-20 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: … Isaiah 30:15,16 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not… Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. walk Exodus 11:9,10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt… Ezekiel 20:39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols. Amos 4:4,5 Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years: … this shall John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. ye shall Isaiah 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness. Isaiah 65:13-16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: … Psalm 16:4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. Jump to Previous Ablaze Alight Begone Brands Compass Encircle Encompass Fire Firebrands Fires Flame Flaming Gird Hand Kindle Kindled Lie Sorrow Sparks Torches Torment Walk YourselvesJump to Next Ablaze Alight Begone Brands Compass Encircle Encompass Fire Firebrands Fires Flame Flaming Gird Hand Kindle Kindled Lie Sorrow Sparks Torches Torment Walk YourselvesIsaiah 50 1. Christ shows Israel's Sin is not to be imputed to him, 2. by his ability to save 5. By his obedience in that work 7. And by his confidence in that assistance 10. An exhortation to trust in God, and not in ourselves Behold, all you who kindle a fire This phrase addresses those who rely on their own efforts and wisdom rather than trusting in God. In the biblical context, fire often symbolizes judgment or divine presence. Here, it represents human attempts to create their own light or guidance, contrasting with the divine light provided by God. This self-reliance is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises trusting in the Lord rather than one's own understanding. who array yourselves with firebrands walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! This is what you will receive from My hand: You will lie down in a place of torment. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah and spoke of both judgment and redemption. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, often the primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies. They were warned against idolatry and self-reliance. 3. Firebrands Symbolic of human efforts and self-reliance, representing the actions of those who trust in their own light rather than God's guidance. 4. Torment The consequence of relying on one's own understanding and rejecting God's light, leading to spiritual and possibly physical suffering. Teaching Points Self-Reliance vs. God-RelianceThe passage warns against the dangers of relying on our own wisdom and efforts instead of seeking God's guidance. True wisdom and safety come from walking in God's light. Consequences of Rejecting God's Light Choosing to walk in our own light leads to spiritual darkness and torment. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning our lives with God's will. The Illusion of Control Human efforts to control and illuminate our path are ultimately futile without God's direction. We must surrender our perceived control to God's sovereign plan. The Call to Repentance This verse serves as a call to repentance for those who have strayed from God's path, encouraging a return to reliance on His light and truth. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 50:11?2. How does Isaiah 50:11 warn against relying on our own understanding? 3. What consequences are described for those who "walk in the light of your fire"? 4. How does Isaiah 50:11 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 about trusting God? 5. In what ways can we ensure we follow God's light, not our own? 6. How can Isaiah 50:11 guide us in making decisions aligned with God's will? 7. What does Isaiah 50:11 mean by "walk in the light of your own fire"? 8. How does Isaiah 50:11 challenge self-reliance in spiritual matters? 9. What historical context influenced the message of Isaiah 50:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 50? 11. How does the Bible explain evil and suffering? 12. 1 Samuel 18:10: How can an 'evil spirit from God' coexist with the belief in a loving deity, and does this contradict other scriptural portrayals of God? 13. In 1 Samuel 16:14, why would God send an 'evil spirit' to torment Saul, contradicting the idea of a benevolent deity? 14. Is the imagery of 'plowers plowing' on the Psalmist's back (Psalm 129:3) meant to be literal or metaphorical, and how do we reconcile it with scientific or historical plausibility? What Does Isaiah 50:11 Mean Behold“Behold” is the divine way of grabbing our attention. God breaks into the noise, saying, “Look here!” Whenever Scripture opens with this word, we are meant to pause and listen with full seriousness (Isaiah 42:1; John 1:29). All you who kindle a fire The Lord addresses people who insist on lighting their own fire—in other words, those who rely on self-made schemes, human wisdom, or fleshly energy rather than on Him (Jeremiah 17:5; Proverbs 3:5-6). • The image recalls Israel’s repeated attempts to solve problems without submitting to God, whether by political alliances (Isaiah 30:1-2) or idol worship (Isaiah 1:29-31). • It also speaks to any heart today that prefers personal ingenuity to humble dependence on the Lord (James 4:13-16). Who array yourselves with firebrands Not only do they light their own fire; they also dress themselves in the sparks—proudly displaying the very ideas and passions that will burn them (Proverbs 16:18). • “Firebrands” suggest flashy but dangerous solutions: self-righteousness (Romans 10:3), worldly philosophies (Colossians 2:8), or sinful desires masquerading as enlightenment (2 Peter 2:19). • Clothing oneself with sparks is the opposite of “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). Walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! God almost grants their wish: “Fine—go ahead. Live by your own light.” It is a solemn permission underscored elsewhere (Psalm 81:12; Romans 1:24). • The phrase echoes Proverbs 14:12—“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” • Walking by self-made fire produces temporary glow, but it cannot guide through real darkness (John 12:35-36). This is what you will receive from My hand The Lord reserves the final word. Actions have consequences, and He personally administers them (Galatians 6:7; Hebrews 10:30). • His “hand” signifies certain, sovereign judgment; no one can escape or appeal beyond it (Isaiah 14:27). • Mercy is still available for those who turn (Isaiah 55:6-7), yet persistent self-reliance invites His discipline. You will lie down in a place of torment The final outcome is not merely discomfort but torment—a foretaste of eternal separation from God (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15). • “Lie down” suggests finality and helplessness, contrasting sharply with the rest promised to those who trust the Lord (Matthew 11:28-29; Hebrews 4:3). • The sparks they cherished become the flames that consume them (Proverbs 1:31; Hebrews 10:26-27). summary Isaiah 50:11 warns anyone tempted to replace God’s light with self-made solutions. Lighting and wearing our own sparks—whether through pride, worldly wisdom, or sinful passion—may look impressive for a moment, but it ends in torment. Only the true Light, Jesus Christ, offers safe and lasting guidance. Trust His fire, not your own, and He will lead you into rest instead of judgment. (11) All ye that kindle a fire.--The words obviously point to any human substitute for the Divine light, and thus include the two meanings which commentators have given them: (1) Man's fiery wrath, that worketh not the righteousness of God; and (2) man's attempt to rest in earthly comforts or enjoyments instead of in the light and joy that comes from God.That compass yourselves about with sparks.--The words are rendered by many commentators, gird yourselves with burning darts, or firebrands, i.e., with calumnies and execrations as your weapons of warfare (Comp. Ephesians 6:16.) Ye shall lie down in sorrow.--The words point to a death of anguish, perhaps to the torment that follows death (comp. Luke 16:24), as the outcome of the substitution of the earthly for the heavenly light. Verse 11. - All ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks; or, with firebrands. The persons intended seem to be those whose "tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity" (James 3:6), and who by means of it are employed in "stirring up strife all the day long." They are condemned to be scorched by the fire which they have themselves kindled, to be made wretched by the strife which they have themselves caused to spring up. Their end, moreover, will be to lie down in sorrow; or, in torture (Cheyne). God will punish them in the next world for the misery which they have brought about in this, and will thus exercise retributive justice upon the wicked ones, whose main object in life has been to embitter the lives of their fellow-men. |
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