King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:33 Mean?

Isaiah 30:33 in the King James Version says “For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fir...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. of old: Heb. from yesterday”

Isaiah 30:33 · KJV

Context

31

For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.

32

And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. in every: Heb. every passing of the rod founded lay: Heb. cause to rest upon him with it: or, against them

33

For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. of old: Heb. from yesterday

Read Isaiah 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For Tophet is ordained of old (כִּי־עָרוּךְ מֵאֶתְמוֹל תָּפְתֶּה)—Tophet (תָּפְתֶּה) was a valley near Jerusalem (later called Gehenna) where children were sacrificed to Molech (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31-32). The verb aruk (arranged, prepared) with me-etmol (from yesterday, of old) indicates God prepared this place of judgment long ago. Yea, for the king it is prepared—Either Assyria's king or metaphorically any rebellious king. God prepares hell for His enemies. He hath made it deep and large—The dimensions he'emiq hirhiv (deepened, widened) suggest endless capacity for judgment. Hell isn't overcrowded.

The pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it—The meduratah (pile, pyre) is esh ve-etsim harbeh (fire and wood aplenty). God's nishmat (breath) like nachal gaphrit (torrent of brimstone/sulfur) ignites it. This describes eternal fire prepared for devil and angels (Matthew 25:41), a lake burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:20; 20:10). Jesus used 'Gehenna' (from Ge-Hinnom/Tophet) to describe hell (Mark 9:43-48). Isaiah's prophecy establishes hell's reality centuries before Christ. It's not medieval invention but biblical doctrine: eternal, conscious punishment for rebels against God. God's 'breath' that gives life (Genesis 2:7) here kindles eternal death—a sobering reversal.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tophet's historical horror—child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom—made it apt metaphor for hell. King Josiah defiled it (2 Kings 23:10) so it couldn't be used for worship. It became Jerusalem's garbage dump, fires burning continuously. Jesus adopted this geographical reference (Gehenna) for spiritual reality. Modern archaeology has uncovered urns with infant remains in similar Canaanite sites, confirming these practices' historical reality.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the doctrine of hell as conscious, eternal punishment challenge contemporary universalism and annihilationism?
  2. What does it mean that God 'prepared' hell—does this indicate He desires people's damnation or warns of consequences for rejecting Him?
  3. How should believers proclaim both God's love (John 3:16) and His wrath (this verse)—and why are both necessary?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּֽי1 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָר֤וּךְ2 of 20

“is ordained”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

מֵֽאֶתְמוּל֙3 of 20

“of old”

H865

heretofore; definitely yesterday

תָּפְתֶּ֔ה4 of 20

“For Tophet”

H8613

tophteh, a place of cremation

גַּם5 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הִ֛וא6 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ7 of 20

“yea for the king”

H4428

a king

הוּכָ֖ן8 of 20

“it is prepared”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

הֶעְמִ֣יק9 of 20

“he hath made it deep”

H6009

to be (causatively, make) deep (literally or figuratively)

הִרְחִ֑ב10 of 20

“and large”

H7337

to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)

מְדֻרָתָ֗הּ11 of 20

“the pile”

H4071

a pile of fuel

אֵ֤שׁ12 of 20

“thereof is fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְעֵצִים֙13 of 20

“wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

הַרְבֵּ֔ה14 of 20

“and much”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

נִשְׁמַ֤ת15 of 20

“the breath”

H5397

a puff, i.e., wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal

יְהוָה֙16 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

כְּנַ֣חַל17 of 20

“like a stream”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

גָּפְרִ֔ית18 of 20

“of brimstone”

H1614

properly, cypress-resin; by analogy, sulphur (as equally inflammable)

בֹּעֲרָ֖ה19 of 20

“doth kindle”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

בָּֽהּ׃20 of 20
H0

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 30:33 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 30:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 23:10Genesis 19:24Jeremiah 19:6Hebrews 13:81 Peter 1:8Revelation 14:10-11

Places in This Verse

TophethAltar · Modern: Hinnom Valley · 31.77°N, 35.23°E9 verses across 3 books
View all places in Isaiah 30 →

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