14. (Isaiah 29:6; Isaiah 30:30). not . . . a coal—Like stubble, they shall burn to a dead ash, without leaving a live coal or cinder (compare Isaiah 30:14), so utterly shall they be destroyed. read more
The doom of Babylon 47:12-15Yahweh’s denunciation of Babylon comes to a climax in the final four verses. In spite of her pride, Babylon would need a savior, but there would be none for her. read more
However, their powers would be no match for the consuming judgment of God that was coming on them like a fire. It would sweep everything in its path away, the astrologers as well as their predictions. They would become the fuel for this fire that would be like a wild forest fire, not a comfortable campfire."They [the astrologers] do not even have the enduring power of wood in the fire, for they are consumed instantly [as stubble], and are not able to save themselves from the flame that devours... read more
An Ode on the Humiliation of Babylon1-15. The coming calamity. The reason of Babylon’s fall. Her helplessness to avert it.2. Grind] i.e. as a slave (Exodus 11:5).Uncover, etc.] RV ’remove thy veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg.’ The overthrow of the city is set forth under the figure of a maiden carried away into slavery. Pass over] on the way to exile. 3. Will not meet, etc.] RV ’will accept no man,’ i.e. none shall be spared.6. Babylon is to be thus punished because, when the Jewish... read more
(14) There shall not be a coal to warm at.—Better, it shall not be . . . The destroying flame shall be altogether other than the fire on the hearth, at which a man can sit and warm himself. read more
CHAPTER XIIBABYLONIsaiah 47:1-15THROUGHOUT the extent of Bible history, from Genesis to Revelation, One City remains, which in fact and symbol is execrated as the enemy of God and the stronghold of evil. In Genesis we are called to see its foundation, as of the first city that wandering men established, and the quick ruin, which fell upon its impious builders. By the prophets we hear it cursed as the oppressor of God’s people, the temptress of the nations, full of cruelty and wantonness. And in... read more
CHAPTER 47 A Description of the Fall of Babylon 1. Babylon’s degradation announced (Isaiah 47:1-3 ) 2. Israel acknowledges the redeemer (Isaiah 47:4 ) 3. Retribution for Babylon (Isaiah 47:5-7 ) 4. The destruction swift and sure (Isaiah 47:8-15 ) In chapter 14 a similar description of Babylon and the fall of the king of Babylon is recorded. All has its meaning for the future. read more
47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: [there shall] not [be] a coal {m} to warm at, [nor] fire to sit before it.(m) They will utterly perish, and no part of them remain. read more
ISAIAH INTRODUCTION TO PART TWO The chapters of Part 2 (chaps. 40-46) are chiefly millennial, and so different from the prevailing themes preceding, as to raise a query whether they were not written by some other author a second, or deutero-Isaiah, as some call him. We do not hold that opinion, the reasons for which are briefly stated in the author’s Primers of the Faith. In Synthetic Bible Studies, it was found convenient to treat this part as a single discourse though doubtless, such is not... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 47:14
Isaiah 47:14. Behold, they shall be as stubble— The judgment to be inflicted upon the professors and encouragers of the vain arts above mentioned is here elegantly and metaphorically described. The prophet says, that all those mentioned in the 13th verse, like stubble, should be set on fire by the divine wrath, and so wholly consumed, that nothing of them should remain which could be serviceable for any purpose whatever; for, as from wood and other fuel, when burned, there remain embers, before... read more