Isaiah 33:12

“And the people shall be [as] the burnings of lime, &c.] Like chalk stones that are burnt to make lime of; which may denote not only their hardness and impenitency, which brought upon them and issued in the wrath of God; but the miserable condition into which they are brought, and the torture they should be put to: perhaps this may refer to the casting of the beast and false prophet alive into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, (<661920>Revelation 19:20): [as] thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire; “thorns” are a fit simile to express the unfruitfulness, uselessness, and harmfulness of wicked men, particularly the sons of Belial, the followers of antichrist; and these “cut…”

“(Isa 9:19; Amo 2:1). Perhaps alluding to their being about to be burnt on the funeral pyre (Isa 30:33). thorns--the wicked (Sa2 23:6-7).”

“And the people - In the army of Sennacherib. As the burnings of lime - As if placed in a burning lime-kiln, where they must certainly be destroyed (see Isaiah 30:33; compare Amos 2:1). As thorns cut up - As thorns, or small brushwood, that has been long cut up and perfectly dried are speedily consumed, so shall it be with the Assyrian army. This is an image like many that are employed, denoting that the destruction of the army of the Assyrians would be sudden and entire. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The people - Shall be burnt as easily and effectually as chalk is burned to lime. Isaiah 33:14”

“the burnings: Amo 2:1 thorns: Isa 9:18, Isa 27:4, Isa 37:36; Sa2 23:6, Sa2 23:7 Isaiah 33:13”

“The prophet announces this to them, and now tells openly what has been exhibited to him in his mental mirror as the purpose of God. "And nations become as lime burnings, thorns cut off, which are kindled with fire." The first simile sets forth the totality of the destruction: they will be so completely burned up, that nothing but ashes will be left, like the lump of lime left at the burning of lime. The second contains a figurative description of its suddenness: they have vanished suddenly, like dead brushwood, which is cut down in consequence, and quickly crackles up and is consumed ( Isa 5:24, cf., Isa 9:17): kâsach is the Targum word for zâmar, amputare, whereas in Arabic it has the…”