BibleWord.ai› Bible› Isaiah› Chapter 64› Verse 2

Isaiah 64:2

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 64:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “as when fire kindleth the brushwood, [and] the fire causeth the waters to boil; to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

as when fire kindleth the brushwood, [and] the fire causeth the waters to boil; to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
Isaiah 64:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 64

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might quake at thy presence,
2as when fire kindleth the brushwood, [and] the fire causeth the waters to boil; to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
3When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains quaked at thy presence.
4For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen a God besides thee, who worketh for him that waiteth for him.
5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou wast wroth, and we sinned: in them [have we been] of long time; and shall we be saved?
← Isaiah 64:1Isaiah 64:3 →
← Full Chapter 64 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
“As when the melting fire burneth, &c.] Or, “the fire of melting”f1244; a strong vehement fire, as Kimchi, such as is used under a furnace for melting metals; though Deuteronomy Dieu thinks a slow gentle fire is intended, such as is sufficient to keep the liquor boiling; which he concludes from the use of the word in the Arabic language, which, according to an Arabic lexicographerf1245 he quotes, so signifies; and to the same purpose Hottingerf1246, by the help of the Arabic language, interprets the word of a small low noise, the hissing of a boiling pot; though, as Vitringa observes, could it be granted, which can not, that a slow fire raises great bubbles in water, such as when it boils;…”
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
“Oh, that Thy wrath would consume Thy foes as the fire. Rather, "as the fire burneth the dry brushwood" [GESENIUS].”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“As when the melting fire burneth - Margin, ‘The fire of meltings.’ Lowth renders it, ‘As when the fire kindleth the dry fuel.’ So Noyes, ‘As fire kindleth the dry stubble.’ The Septuagint render it: Ὡς κηρὸς ἀπὸ προσώπου πυρὸς τήκεται Hōs kēros apo prosōpou puros tēketai - ‘As wax is melted before the fire.’ So the Syriac renders it. The Hebrew word rendered here in the margin ‘meltings’ (המסים hămâsı̂ym), properly means, according to Gesenius, brushwood, twigs. So Saddias renders it. And the true idea here is, that the presence of Yahweh would cause the mountains to melt, as a fire consumes light and dry brushwood or stubble. Dr. Jubb supposes that the meaning is, ‘As the fire…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Fire - Come with such zeal for thy people, that the solid mountains may be no more before thy breath, than metal that runs, or water that boils by the force of a vehement fire. Known - That thine enemies may know thy power, and that thy name may be dreaded among them. Isaiah 64:3”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“melting fire: Heb. fire of meltings to make: Isa 37:20, Isa 63:12; Exo 14:4; Sa1 17:46, Sa1 17:47; Kg1 8:41-43; Psa 46:10, Psa 67:1, Psa 67:2; Psa 79:10, Psa 83:13, Psa 98:1, Psa 98:2, Psa 102:15, Psa 102:16, Psa 106:8; Eze 38:22, Eze 38:23, Eze 39:27, Eze 39:28; Dan 4:1-3, Dan 4:32-37, Dan 6:25-27; Joe 3:16, Joe 3:17 that the nations: Exo 15:14-16; Deu 2:25; Psa 9:20, Psa 48:4-6, Psa 99:1; Jer 5:22, Jer 33:9; Mic 7:15-17; Rev 11:11-13 Isaiah 64:3”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Isaiah 64 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification