King James Version

What Does Isaiah 5:24 Mean?

Isaiah 5:24 in the King James Version says “Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, an... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. fire: Heb. tongue of fire

Isaiah 5:24 · KJV


Context

22

Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

23

Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

24

Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. fire: Heb. tongue of fire

25

Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. torn: or, as dung

26

And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The agricultural imagery of stubble consumed by flame and chaff by fire depicts swift, total judgment. The cause-effect relationship—'because they have cast away the law of the LORD'—directly links judgment to covenant rebellion. Despising 'the word of the Holy One of Israel' compounds rejection: not mere neglect but active contempt. This anticipates John Baptist's warning of unquenchable fire consuming chaff (Matthew 3:12) and Hebrews' warning that willful sin after knowing truth brings fearful judgment (Hebrews 10:26-27).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Despite possessing God's law and prophetic word, Judah rejected both. This inexcusable rebellion—spurning divine revelation—sealed their judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the privilege of possessing Scripture heighten accountability for rejecting it?
  2. In what ways might we functionally 'despise' God's word despite claiming to value it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
לָכֵן֩1 of 25
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֶּאֱכֹ֨ל2 of 25

devoureth

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

קַ֜שׁ3 of 25

the stubble

H7179

straw (as dry)

לְשׁ֣וֹן4 of 25

and the flame

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,

אֵ֗שׁ5 of 25

Therefore as the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וַחֲשַׁ֤שׁ6 of 25

the chaff

H2842

dry grass

לֶֽהָבָה֙7 of 25
H3852

flame

יִרְפֶּ֔ה8 of 25

consumeth

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

שָׁרְשָׁם֙9 of 25

so their root

H8328

a root (literally or figuratively)

כַּמָּ֣ק10 of 25

shall be as rottenness

H4716

properly, a melting, i.e., putridity

יִֽהְיֶ֔ה11 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וּפִרְחָ֖ם12 of 25

and their blossom

H6525

a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom

כָּאָבָ֣ק13 of 25

as dust

H80

light particles (as volatile)

יַעֲלֶ֑ה14 of 25

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

כִּ֣י15 of 25
H3588

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

מָאֲס֗וּ16 of 25

because they have cast away

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

אֵ֚ת17 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תּוֹרַת֙18 of 25

the law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

יְהוָ֣ה19 of 25

of the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֔וֹת20 of 25

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וְאֵ֛ת21 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִמְרַ֥ת22 of 25

the word

H565

an utterance

קְדֽוֹשׁ23 of 25

of the Holy One

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל24 of 25

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

נִאֵֽצוּ׃25 of 25

and despised

H5006

to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom


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 5:24 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 5:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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