King James Version

What Does Isaiah 50:11 Mean?

Isaiah 50:11 in the King James Version says “Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

Isaiah 50:11 · KJV


Context

9

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

11

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The warning to those who 'kindle a fire' and 'compass yourselves about with sparks' describes self-reliance - creating own light rather than trusting God. The judgment 'ye shall lie down in sorrow' shows that human-generated solutions lead to misery. This contrasts with verse 10's trust in darkness - those who rest in God's will find peace; those who create own alternatives find sorrow.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's repeated alliances with Egypt/Assyria rather than trusting God illustrate 'kindling fire' - attempting security through human wisdom. Every such attempt ended in judgment. The principle applies to all self-salvation attempts apart from God's provided way.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'fires' are you kindling (self-help strategies, worldly solutions) rather than trusting God in darkness?
  2. How has self-reliance led to the 'sorrow' this verse warns about, and what would repentant trust look like?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
הֵ֧ן1 of 17
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

כֻּלְּכֶ֛ם2 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

קֹ֥דְחֵי3 of 17

Behold all ye that kindle

H6919

to inflame

אֶשְׁכֶ֗ם4 of 17

a fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

מְאַזְּרֵ֣י5 of 17

that compass yourselves about

H247

to belt

וּבְזִיקוֹת֙6 of 17

and in the sparks

H2131

properly, what leaps forth, i.e., flash of fire, or a burning arrow; also (from the original sense of the root) a bond

לְכ֣וּ׀7 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּא֣וּר8 of 17

in the light

H217

flame; hence (in the plural) the east (as being the region of light)

אֶשְׁכֶ֗ם9 of 17

a fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וּבְזִיקוֹת֙10 of 17

and in the sparks

H2131

properly, what leaps forth, i.e., flash of fire, or a burning arrow; also (from the original sense of the root) a bond

בִּֽעַרְתֶּ֔ם11 of 17

that ye have kindled

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

מִיָּדִי֙12 of 17

This shall ye have of mine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הָיְתָה13 of 17
H1961

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

זֹּ֣את14 of 17
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לָכֶ֔ם15 of 17
H0
לְמַעֲצֵבָ֖ה16 of 17

in sorrow

H4620

anguish

תִּשְׁכָּבֽוּן׃17 of 17

ye shall lie down

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)


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 50:11 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 50:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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