Isaiah 47:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Babylon's advisors and false spiritual practices are utterly consumed, leaving nothing useful behind.
The Context of Isaiah 47:14
The oracle describes the fate of the magicians: they are reduced to stubble, burned completely, leaving only ash. No coal remains to warm by, no ember persists. This is total destruction, also describing the annihilation of Babylon's false spiritual infrastructure.
What Does Isaiah 47:14 Mean?
Stubble burns quickly and completely. There is no lingering glow, no useful remainder. Babylon's great advisors, her accumulated magical knowledge, her divination practices are consumed like stubble. And what is left is not even ash that can be used; it is only the memory of fire.
In contrast, God endures. His word is not stubble but eternal. His counsel is not consumed by the fire of history but is refined by it. When we commit ourselves to what God values, we commit ourselves to what lasts. Our works may face judgment, but if they are built on Christ, they remain. Our fears and false counselors may burn away, but the peace of God remains.
Isaiah 47:14 in the Original Language
keshem (קשם), 'burning' - complete, thorough consumption.
How to Apply Isaiah 47:14 Today
What we trust in apart from God burns away. What we commit to God remains.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 47:14
What does Isaiah 47:14 mean?
Babylon's advisors and false spiritual practices are utterly consumed, leaving nothing useful behind.
What is the context of Isaiah 47:14?
The oracle describes the fate of the magicians: they are reduced to stubble, burned completely, leaving only ash. No coal remains to warm by, no ember persists. This is total destruction, also describing the annihilation of Babylon's false spiritual infrastructure.
How can I apply Isaiah 47:14 today?
What we trust in apart from God burns away. What we commit to God remains.