King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:27 Mean?

Isaiah 30:27 in the King James Version says “Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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: burden: or, grievousness of flame heavy: Heb. heaviness”

Isaiah 30:27 · KJV

Context

25

And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. high hill: Heb. lifted up, etc

26

Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

27

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: burden: or, grievousness of flame heavy: Heb. heaviness

28

And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

29

Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel. mighty: Heb. Rock

Read Isaiah 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger (הִנֵּה שֵׁם־יְהוָה בָּא מִמֶּרְחָק בֹּעֵר אַפּוֹ)—The 'name of the LORD' represents God's revealed character and presence. It comes mimmerchaq (from far), indicating divine approach from transcendence. Bo'er (burning) with apo (His anger/nostril) depicts fury as consuming fire. And the burden thereof is heavy (וְכֹבֶד מַשָּׂאָה)—The koved (heaviness, weight) of massa'ah (burden, load) crushes its objects. God's anger isn't petulant emotion but weighty, substantial, crushing judgment.

His lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire—The personification continues: sephatayw (His lips) filled with za'am (indignation, wrath), and leshono (His tongue) like esh okelet (devouring fire). God's word becomes weapon—what He speaks consumes. Revelation 19:15 pictures Christ with sword proceeding from His mouth. Hebrews 4:12 describes God's word as 'sharper than any twoedged sword.' Here words become fire, burning away dross and consuming enemies. This theophany—God appearing in fire and fury—recalls Sinai (Exodus 19:18), Ezekiel's visions (Ezekiel 1:4), and anticipates final judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8) when Christ appears 'in flaming fire taking vengeance.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Theophanies in Israel's history often involved fire: burning bush (Exodus 3:2), Sinai (Exodus 19:18), pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21), Ezekiel's chariot (Ezekiel 1:4). Fire represents holiness that consumes impurity, glory that cannot be approached carelessly, judgment that purifies or destroys. Isaiah's audience would connect this to historical judgments—Assyria destroyed by angel (Isaiah 37:36), foreshadowing greater future judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'anger' differ from human anger—righteous response to evil versus selfish reaction?
  2. What does the imagery of God's words as devouring fire teach about the power and danger of divine speech?
  3. How should awareness of God's burning holiness and coming judgment shape evangelism and worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הִנֵּ֤ה1 of 15
H2009

lo!

שֵׁם2 of 15

“Behold the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָה֙3 of 15

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּ֣א4 of 15

“cometh”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִמֶּרְחָ֔ק5 of 15

“from far”

H4801

remoteness, i.e., (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar

בֹּעֵ֣ר6 of 15

“burning”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

אַפּ֔וֹ7 of 15

“with his anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְכֹ֖בֶד8 of 15

“thereof is heavy”

H3514

weight, multitude, vehemence

מַשָּׂאָ֑ה9 of 15

“and the burden”

H4858

a conflagration (from the rising of smoke)

שְׂפָתָיו֙10 of 15

“his lips”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

מָ֣לְאוּ11 of 15

“are full”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

זַ֔עַם12 of 15

“of indignation”

H2195

strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)

וּלְשׁוֹנ֖וֹ13 of 15

“and his tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

כְּאֵ֥שׁ14 of 15

“fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

אֹכָֽלֶת׃15 of 15

“as a devouring”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 30:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 30:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Thessalonians 2:8Nahum 1:5-6Lamentations 1:12-13Isaiah 33:12Zephaniah 3:8Hebrews 12:29

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