Isaiah 5:24

“Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, &c.] Or “tongue of fire”f105; meaning the flame, the same as in the next clause; because it is in the form of a tongue; (see <440203>Acts 2:3): and the flame consumeth the chaff; which is done easily, speedily, and entirely; the metaphors denote that their destruction would be easy, swift, sudden, irresistible, and irrecoverable. Reference may be had to the burning of Jerusalem, literally understood: [so] their root shall be rottenness; and so utterly perish; meaning their fathers, as Aben Ezra and Abarbinel think; or their chief and principal men, before mentioned; or their riches and substance, and whatever they gloried of, or trusted in; (see…”

“Literally, "tongue of fire eateth" (Act 2:3). flame consumeth the chaff--rather, withered grass falleth before the flame (Mat 3:12). root . . . blossom--entire decay, both the hidden source and outward manifestations of prosperity, perishing (Job 18:16; Mal 4:1). cast away . . . law--in its spirit, while retaining the letter.”

“Therefore as the fire ... - The remainder of this chapter is occupied with predicting “judgments,” or punishments, upon the people for their sins which had been specified. The Hebrew here is, ‘The tongue of fire.’ The figure is beautiful and obvious. It is derived from the pyramidal, or tongue-like appearance of “flame.” The concinnity of the metaphor in the Hebrew is kept up. The word “devoureth” is in the Hebrew “eateth:” ‘As the tongue of fire eats up,’ etc. The use of the word “tongue” to denote “flame” is common in the Scriptures; see the note at Acts 2:3. And the flame consumeth the chaff - The word rendered “chaff here,” means rather “hay, or dried grass.” The word rendered…”

“Rottenness - They shall be like a tree which not only withers in its branches, but dies and rots at the roots, therefore is past recovery. Dust - Shall be resolved into dust, and yield no fruit. Isaiah 5:26”

“5:24 The image of rotting roots reflects human transience (cp. 11:1; 27:6; 37:31). • To despise the Lord’s word means to ignore it, to live without regard for keeping it. Such an attitude toward God’s revelation leads to folly and ruin (Prov 1:30; 5:12; 15:5).”

“fire: Heb. tongue of fire devoureth: Isa 47:14; Exo 15:7; Joe 2:5; Nah 1:10; Mal 4:1; Co1 3:12, Co1 3:13 the flame: Mat 3:12; Luk 3:17 their root: Isa 9:14-17; Job 18:16; Hos 9:16; Amo 2:9 cast away: Sa1 15:23, Sa1 15:26; Kg2 17:14, Kg2 17:15; Neh 9:26; Psa 50:17; Jer 6:19, Jer 8:9; Luk 7:30; Joh 12:48; Heb 10:28, Heb 10:29 despised: Isa 30:12; Sa2 12:9, Sa2 12:10; Luk 10:16; Act 13:41; Th1 4:8 Isaiah 5:25”

“In the three exclamations in Isa 5:18-21, Jehovah rested contented with the simple undeveloped "woe" (hoi). On the other hand, the first two utterances respecting the covetous and the debauchees were expanded into an elaborate denunciation of punishment. But now that the prophet has come to the unjust judges, the denunciation of punishment bursts out with such violence, that a return to the simple exclamation of "woe" is not to be thought of. The two "therefores" in Isa 5:13, Isa 5:14, a third is now added in Isa 5:24 : "Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours stubble, and hay sinks together in the flame, their root will become like mould, and their blossom fly up like dust; for they have…”