Isaiah 1:31
New International Version
The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”

New Living Translation
The strongest among you will disappear like straw; their evil deeds will be the spark that sets it on fire. They and their evil works will burn up together, and no one will be able to put out the fire.

English Standard Version
And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.

Berean Standard Bible
The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

King James Bible
And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

New King James Version
The strong shall be as tinder, And the work of it as a spark; Both will burn together, And no one shall quench them.

New American Standard Bible
The strong man will become like flax fiber, And his work a spark. So they shall both burn together And there will be no one to extinguish them.

NASB 1995
The strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together And there will be none to quench them.

NASB 1977
And the strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together, And there will be none to quench them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together, And there will be none to quench them.

Amplified Bible
The strong man will become tinder, And his work a spark. So both will burn together And there will be none to quench them.

Christian Standard Bible
The strong one will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to extinguish the flames.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The strong one will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

American Standard Version
And the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

Contemporary English Version
Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames.

English Revised Version
And the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Strong people will become tinder for a fire, and their work will be the spark. Both of them will burn together, and there will be no one to put out the fire.

Good News Translation
Just as straw is set on fire by a spark, so powerful people will be destroyed by their own evil deeds, and no one will be able to stop the destruction.

International Standard Version
Your strong one will be like tinder, and your work a spark; both of them will burn together, with no one to quench the flames that burn them."

Majority Standard Bible
The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

NET Bible
The powerful will be like a thread of yarn, their deeds like a spark; both will burn together, and no one will put out the fire.

New Heart English Bible
The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

World English Bible
The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the strong has been for tow, "" And his work for a spark, "" And both of them have burned together, "" And there is none quenching!

Young's Literal Translation
And the strong hath been for tow, And his work for a spark, And burned have both of them together, And there is none quenching!

Smith's Literal Translation
And the strong was for tow, and his work for a spark, and they two were burnt together, and none quenching.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And your strength shall be as the ashes of tow, and your work as a spark: and both shall burn together, and there shall be none to quench it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And your strength will be like the embers from stubble, and your work will be like a spark, and both will burn together, and there will be no one to extinguish it.

New American Bible
The strong tree shall turn to tinder, and the one who tends it shall become a spark; Both of them shall burn together, and there shall be none to quench them.

New Revised Standard Version
The strong shall become like tinder, and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And their strength shall be like cotton, and their works like a spark, and they shall both burn together, and there shall be none to quench them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And their strength will become linen and their works sparks, and both shall burn as one, and there is none who extinguishes’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the strong shall be as tow, And his work as a spark; And they shall both burn together, And none shall quench them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And their strength shall be as a thread of tow, and their works as sparks, and the transgressors and the sinners shall be burnt up together, and there shall be none to quench them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Corruption of Zion
30For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, like a garden without water. 31The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

Cross References
Malachi 4:1
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”

Ezekiel 20:47-48
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched. / Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.”

Jeremiah 21:14
I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’”

Psalm 37:20
But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.

Proverbs 1:31
So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

Hosea 8:7
For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if it should produce, the foreigners would swallow it up.

Nahum 1:10
For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard—like stubble that is fully dry.

Zephaniah 1:18
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.

2 Kings 22:17
because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be kindled against this place and will not be quenched.’

Jeremiah 7:20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place, on man and beast, on the trees of the field and the produce of the land, and it will burn and not be extinguished.

Matthew 3:10
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Luke 3:9
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.

Hebrews 6:8
But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.


Treasury of Scripture

And the strong shall be as wick, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

the strong

Ezekiel 32:21
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

as tow

Isaiah 27:4
Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.

Isaiah 43:17
Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

Isaiah 50:11
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.

the maker of it.

Isaiah 34:9,10
And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch…

Isaiah 66:24
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Ezekiel 20:47,48
And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein…

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Isaiah 1
1. Isaiah complains of Judah for her rebellion
5. He laments her judgments
10. He upbraids their whole service
16. He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats
21. Bewailing their wickedness, he denounces God's judgments
25. He promises grace
28. And threatens destruction to the wicked














The mighty man
The Hebrew word for "mighty man" is "גִּבּוֹר" (gibbor), which often refers to a warrior or a person of great strength and valor. In the context of Isaiah, this term is used to denote those who rely on their own strength and power rather than on God. Historically, Israel often looked to strong leaders or alliances with powerful nations for security, rather than trusting in the Lord. This phrase serves as a reminder that human strength is ultimately futile without divine support.

will become tinder
"Tinder" refers to dry, flammable material used to kindle a fire. The Hebrew word "קַשׁ" (qash) implies something that is easily consumed and of little substance. This imagery suggests that those who are mighty in their own eyes will become as fragile and combustible as dry straw. Spiritually, it warns against pride and self-reliance, emphasizing the transient nature of human power when it is not rooted in God.

and his work a spark
The "work" here refers to the deeds and accomplishments of the mighty man. The Hebrew word "מַעֲשֶׂה" (ma'aseh) encompasses actions, deeds, or labor. A "spark" is a small fiery particle that can ignite a larger fire. This metaphor indicates that the very efforts and achievements of the proud will contribute to their downfall. In a broader biblical context, it underscores the principle that actions not aligned with God's will can lead to one's own destruction.

both will burn together
The phrase "both will burn together" signifies the inevitable and complete destruction of the mighty man and his works. The Hebrew verb "בָּעַר" (ba'ar) means to burn or consume by fire. This imagery of fire is often used in the Bible to represent judgment and purification. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the futility of relying on human strength and achievements.

with no one to extinguish the flames
This final phrase emphasizes the totality and inescapability of the judgment. The Hebrew word "כָּבָה" (kabah) means to quench or put out a fire. The absence of anyone to extinguish the flames highlights the complete helplessness of those who have rejected God. It serves as a call to repentance, urging individuals to seek refuge in the Lord, who alone can save and deliver from judgment.

(31) The maker of it as a spark.--Better, his work as a spark. The sin itself becomes the instrument of destruction. The mighty and the proud, who were foremost in the work of idolatry, and who did not repent, should perish with their work--i.e., with the idol which their hands had made. The tow and the spark are chosen as representing the most rapid form of combustion.

Verse 31. - The strong (literally, the strong one) shall be as tow; i.e. weak and powerless (comp. Judges 16:9), utterly unable to resist the Divine fiat when it goes forth. The maker of it. An extraordinary mistranslation, since po'al never means anything but "work." His own acts would light the fire by which the "strong one" would be consumed and perish.

"Nec lex justior ulla est,
Quam necis artifices arts perire sua."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The strong man
הֶחָסֹן֙ (he·ḥā·sōn)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2634: Powerful

will become
וְהָיָ֤ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

tinder
לִנְעֹ֔רֶת (lin·‘ō·reṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5296: Something shaken out, tow

and his work
וּפֹעֲל֖וֹ (ū·p̄ō·‘ă·lōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6467: Doing, deed, work

[will be] a spark;
לְנִיצ֑וֹץ (lə·nî·ṣō·wṣ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5213: A spark

both
שְׁנֵיהֶ֛ם (šə·nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

will burn
וּבָעֲר֧וּ (ū·ḇā·‘ă·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1197: To kindle, consume, to be, brutish

together,
יַחְדָּ֖ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

with no one
וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

to quench the flames.
מְכַבֶּֽה׃ (mə·ḵab·beh)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3518: To be quenched or extinguished, to go out


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 1:31 The strong will be like tinder (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 1:30
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