Isaiah 9:18
"For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

For wickedness burneth as the fire,.... That is, the punishment of their sins, as the Targum interprets it; the wrath of God for sin, which is poured out like fire, and consumes as that does; unless wicked men are meant, who are consumed with the fire of divine vengeance; the sense is the same: it shall devour the briers and thorns; sinners and ungodly, so the Targum paraphrases it; and Aben Ezra observes, they are the wicked; who are compared to

briers and thorns, for their unfruitfulness in themselves, harmfulness to others, and for their weakness to stand against the fury of incensed Deity, see Sa2 23:6 , and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest. Kimchi thinks there is a gradation in these words, that as fire first begins to burn the thorns, and smaller wood, and then the greater; so wickedness consumes first the little ones, who are the thorns, and after that it kindles in the thickets of the forest, who are the great ones; so the commonwealth of Israel is compared to a forest; and the thorns, briers, and thickets, may denote the common people and their governors, who all being guilty of wickedness, should not escape the vengeance of God: and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke: or lift up themselves, or be lifted up; so Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret the word; but Jarchi thinks it has the signification of "to be perplexed": and gives the sense of it thus; they are perplexed, and shut up with the strength of smoke that burns: others take it to be a word of the same meaning with and render it, "they shall pulverize", or "go into dust in the lifting up of smoke" (d); and denotes the dissolution of the commonwealth; but perhaps it may be better rendered, "though they shall walk proudly" (or behave haughtily), their "pride" shall be as "smoke", which soon vanishes away; since the word, which is only here used, in the Syriac language signifies to walk proudly, as a cock with two crests (e). (d) "et epulverabitur erectione fumi", Cocceius; "adeo ut in minutissimum pulverem abeant elato fumo, vel elatione fumi", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (e) "Et superbient, (fastuose se gerent,) at superbia (vel quorum superbia) fumus, h. e. fumi instar, evanescit, interibit, quod etiam Armenis indigiat, isfud vacobulum `Abac', Syr. galus, gallinaceus, superbo gradu incedens et bicristatus", Castel. Lexicon Polyglott. col. 12.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (14 words)

H5678 עֶבְרָה
Definition:

9+; constructעֶבְרַתZephaniah 1:18+; suffixעֶבְרָתִיIsaiah 10:6+, etc.; pluralעֲבָרוֺתJob 21:30; constructעַבְרוֺתPsalm 7:7;Job 40:11; —1overflow, excess, outburst,זָדוֺן׳עProverbs 21:24excess of inso 9+; constructעֶבְרַתZephaniah 1:18+; suffixעֶבְרָתִיIsaiah 10:6+, etc.; pluralעֲבָרוֺתJob 21:30; constructעַבְרוֺתPsalm 7:7;Job 40:11; —1overflow, excess, outburst,זָדוֺן׳עProverbs 21:24excess of inso

Possible Meanings:
  • arrogance (semantic_range)
  • fury (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H6635 צָבָא
Definition:

485noun masculine2Chronicles 28:9(possiblyfeminineIsaiah 10:2;Isaiah 40:2;Daniel 8:12, but see AlbrZAW xv (1895), 319; BevDn)army, war, warfare; — absolute׳צNumbers 1:3+ (מִצָּבָהZechariah 9:8); const 485noun masculine2Chronicles 28:9(possiblyfeminineIsaiah 10:2;Isaiah 40:2;Daniel 8:12, but see AlbrZAW xv (1895), 319; BevDn)army, war, warfare; — absolute׳צNumbers 1:3+ (מִצָּבָהZechariah 9:8); const

Possible Meanings:
  • be inclined (semantic_range)
  • desire (semantic_range)
  • be pleased (semantic_range)
H6272 עָתַם
Definition:

18(is be clogged in speech,suffocating heat,burned by heat; hence Thesscorched, but derived sense dubious; see RSJPhil. xiii. 61 f.); — read perhapsנִצְּתָה(√יָצַת)is burned up, compare RSl.c., Krochm 18(is be clogged in speech,suffocating heat,burned by heat; hence Thesscorched, but derived sense dubious; see RSJPhil. xiii. 61 f.); — read perhapsנִצְּתָה(√יָצַת)is burned up, compare RSl.c., Krochm

H0776 אֶרֶץ
Definition:

11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,) 11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,)

H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H5971 עַם
Definition:

Fromamam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.see HEBREWamamBrow Fromamam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.see HEBREWamamBrow

Possible Meanings:
  • with (semantic_range)
H3980 מַאֲכֹלֶת
Definition:

4;Isaiah 9:18.Topical LexiconSemantic field and imageryמַאֲכֹלֶת combines the idea of “something eaten” with its vivid metaphorical extension, “that which a fire consumes.” Scripture uses the term not 4;Isaiah 9:18.Topical LexiconSemantic field and imageryמַאֲכֹלֶת combines the idea of “something eaten” with its vivid metaphorical extension, “that which a fire consumes.” Scripture uses the term not

Possible Meanings:
  • fuel (semantic_range)
H0784 אֵשׂ
Definition:

23(masculineJeremiah 48:45;Psalm 104:4;**masculineis dubious:Numbers 16:18readעָלֶיהָfor 2ndעֲלֵיהֶם(ᵐ5B);Jeremiah 20:9see Ges§ 132 d;Jeremiah 48:45read (many MSS.,Numbers 21:23)יצאה;Psalm 104:4read p 23(masculineJeremiah 48:45;Psalm 104:4;**masculineis dubious:Numbers 16:18readעָלֶיהָfor 2ndעֲלֵיהֶם(ᵐ5B);Jeremiah 20:9see Ges§ 132 d;Jeremiah 48:45read (many MSS.,Numbers 21:23)יצאה;Psalm 104:4read p

Possible Meanings:
  • foundation (semantic_range)
H0376 אִישׁ
Definition:

23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ 23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ

Possible Meanings:
  • man (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0251 אָח
Definition:

29+ (Ezekiel 18:10 strike out Co compareᵐ5ᵑ6ᵑ9; Ew Smאַח; Dl BaEz xdefends as =onecompare Assyriana—u) never with article; cstrאֲחִיGenesis 10:21+; suffixאָחִיGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיךָGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיוGe 29+ (Ezekiel 18:10 strike out Co compareᵐ5ᵑ6ᵑ9; Ew Smאַח; Dl BaEz xdefends as =onecompare Assyriana—u) never with article; cstrאֲחִיGenesis 10:21+; suffixאָחִיGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיךָGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיוGe

Possible Meanings:
  • brother (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H2550 חָמַל
Definition:

153t.;חָמָ֑ל2 Samuel 12:6;Lamentations 2:17;חָמָ֑לְתָּLamentations 2:21;Lamentations 3:43;וְחָמַלְתִּ֫יMalachi 3:17;ImperfectיַחְמֹלJob 16:136t.;יַחְמוֺלJob 6:103t.;וַיַּחְמֹל1 Samuel 15:93t.; 3 femin 153t.;חָמָ֑ל2 Samuel 12:6;Lamentations 2:17;חָמָ֑לְתָּLamentations 2:21;Lamentations 3:43;וְחָמַלְתִּ֫יMalachi 3:17;ImperfectיַחְמֹלJob 16:136t.;יַחְמוֺלJob 6:103t.;וַיַּחְמֹל1 Samuel 15:93t.; 3 femin

Possible Meanings:
  • spare (semantic_range)

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