King James Version

What Does Isaiah 34:10 Mean?

Isaiah 34:10 in the King James Version says “It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall l... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

Isaiah 34:10 · KJV


Context

8

For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

9

And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.

10

It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

11

But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. cormorant: or, pelican

12

They shall call the nobles thereof to the kingdom, but none shall be there, and all her princes shall be nothing.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The perpetual burning "night and day" emphasizes eternal punishment, a concept Jesus affirmed regarding hell (Mark 9:48). "Generation to generation" stresses the permanent nature of divine judgment—no restoration comes for those under God's final curse. The desolation means total uninhabitability forever, contrasting sharply with promises of land restoration for God's people. This sobering reality undergirds the Reformed understanding of eternal conscious punishment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Edom's territory did become permanently desolate after the Nabatean conquest (6th-4th century BC). By New Testament times, Idumea was a shadow of former Edom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does eternal punishment reveal the infinite offense of sin against an infinite God?
  2. What comfort does the permanence of judgment bring to victims of evil?
  3. How should we balance proclaiming God's love with warning of eternal consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לַ֤יְלָה1 of 15

night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וְיוֹמָם֙2 of 15

nor day

H3119

daily

לֹ֣א3 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִכְבֶּ֔ה4 of 15

It shall not be quenched

H3518

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)

לְעוֹלָ֖ם5 of 15

for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

יַעֲלֶ֣ה6 of 15

thereof shall go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עֲשָׁנָ֑הּ7 of 15

the smoke

H6227

smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)

לָדוֹר֙8 of 15

from generation

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

לָדוֹר֙9 of 15

from generation

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

תֶּחֱרָ֔ב10 of 15

it shall lie waste

H2717

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

נְצָחִ֔ים11 of 15

and ever

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

נְצָחִ֔ים12 of 15

and ever

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

אֵ֥ין13 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עֹבֵ֖ר14 of 15

none shall pass through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בָּֽהּ׃15 of 15
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 34:10 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 34:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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