BibleWord.ai› Bible› Isaiah› Chapter 44› Verse 16

Isaiah 44:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 44:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire.
Isaiah 44:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 44

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13The carpenter stretcheth out a line; he marketh it out with a pencil; he shapeth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compasses, and shapeth it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house.
14He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the holm-tree and the oak, and strengtheneth for himself one among the trees of the forest: he planteth a fir-tree, and the rain doth nourish it.
15Then shall it be for a man to burn; and he taketh thereof, and warmeth himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread: yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
16He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire.
17And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image; he falleth down unto it and worshippeth, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
18They know not, neither do they consider: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
19And none calleth to mind, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
← Isaiah 44:15Isaiah 44:17 →
← Full Chapter 44 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He burneth part thereof in the fire, &c.] To warm himself with, as before: with part thereof he eateth flesh; that is, with part of it he dresses flesh, and makes it fit to eat; unless the meaning is, with part of it he makes tables and trenchers to eat meat off of; but the former sense seems most likely, and agrees with what follows: he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; he roasts his meat with it, and eats it when roasted, and is highly pleased and delighted with it, and he eats of it to his satisfaction: yea, he warmeth him, and saith, Aha; an expression of joy and delight, being before a good fire in winter time: I am warm, I have seen the fire; have felt it, and enjoyed the comfort of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“part . . . part--not distinct parts, but the same part of the wood (compare Isa 44:17). eateth--that is, cooks so as to eat (Isa 44:19). I have seen--I feel its power.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With part thereof he eateth flesh - That is, he prepares flesh to eat, or prepares his food. He roasteth roast - He roasts meat. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Isaiah 44 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification