Isaiah 64:2
Isaiah 64:2 in Multiple Translations
as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence!
As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
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!
As when fire puts the brushwood in flames, or as when water is boiling from the heat of the fire: to make your name feared by your haters, so that the nations may be shaking before you;
In the same way that fire burns wood and makes water boil, make your reputation known to your enemies, so that nations will tremble in your presence!
As the melting fire burned, as the fire caused the waters to boyle, (that thou mightest declare thy Name to thy aduersaries) the people did tremble at thy presence.
(As fire kindleth stubble — Fire causeth water to boil,) To make known Thy name to Thine adversaries, From Thy presence do nations tremble.
as when fire kindles the brushwood, and the fire causes the water to boil. Make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at your presence!
As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thy adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
They would melt as at the burning of fire, the waters would burn with fire, that thy name might be made known to thy enemies: that the nations might tremble at thy presence.
Be like a fire that burns twigs and causes water to boil! Come down in order that your enemies will know who you are, and the people of other nations will tremble in your presence.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 64:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 64:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בַּ/עֲשׂוֹתְ/ךָ֥
נוֹרָא֖וֹת
לֹ֣א
נְקַוֶּ֑ה
יָרַ֕דְתָּ
מִ/פָּנֶ֖י/ךָ
הָרִ֥ים
נָזֹֽלּוּ
בַּ/עֲשׂוֹתְ/ךָ֥
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
נוֹרָא֖וֹת
yârêʼ
H3372
to fear
V-Niphal
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
נְקַוֶּ֑ה
qâvâh
H6960
to await
V-Piel-Imperf-1cp
יָרַ֕דְתָּ
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
מִ/פָּנֶ֖י/ךָ
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
הָרִ֥ים
har
H2022
mountain
N-mp
נָזֹֽלּוּ
zâlal
H2151
to shake
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 64:2
בַּ/עֲשׂוֹתְ/ךָ֥
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
נוֹרָא֖וֹת
yârêʼ
H3372
"to fear"
V-Niphal
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Definition: : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Usage: Occurs in 318 OT verses. KJV: affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). See also: Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 12:18; Psalms 3:7.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נְקַוֶּ֑ה
qâvâh
H6960
"to await"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cp
This Hebrew word means to collect or gather things together, and can also mean to wait patiently for something. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe waiting on God.
Definition: 1) to wait, look for, hope, expect 1a) (Qal) waiting (participle) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait or look eagerly for 1b2) to lie in wait for 1b3) to wait for, linger for
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). See also: Genesis 1:9; Isaiah 5:2; Psalms 25:3.
יָרַ֕דְתָּ
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
מִ/פָּנֶ֖י/ךָ
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הָרִ֥ים
har
H2022
"mountain"
N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
נָזֹֽלּוּ
zâlal
H2151
"to shake"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
Zalal means to be vile or worthless, describing someone who is morally loose or reckless, as seen in Proverbs 28:2 where a riotous eater is described as vile.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to shake, tremble, quake 1a) (Niphal) to shake, quake
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: blow down, glutton, riotous (eater), vile. See also: Deuteronomy 21:20; Isaiah 63:19; Proverbs 23:20.
Study Notes — Isaiah 64:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 64:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 64:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 64:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 64:2
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 64:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
- Sermons on Isaiah 64:2
Context — A Prayer for God’s Power
1If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence,
2as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence!
3When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence. 4From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 99:1 | The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake! |
| 2 | Jeremiah 33:9 | So this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I do for it. They will tremble in awe because of all the goodness and prosperity that I will provide for it. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 38:22–23 | I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. I will magnify and sanctify Myself, and will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD. |
| 4 | Daniel 4:32–37 | You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.” At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” At the same time my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride. |
| 5 | Psalms 46:10 | “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” |
| 6 | Jeremiah 5:22 | Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it. |
| 7 | Daniel 6:25–27 | Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound. I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 37:20 | And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God. ” |
| 9 | Exodus 14:4 | And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did. |
| 10 | Psalms 102:15–16 | So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory. For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory. |
Isaiah 64:2 Summary
Isaiah 64:2 is a prayer asking God to show His power and presence in a way that everyone will know He is real and mighty. The verse uses the example of fire making water boil to describe how God's presence can change things dramatically, much like the powerful works of God seen in the Exodus (as referenced in Exodus 34:5-7). This presence is not just for believers but also for those who do not know God, so they will respect and fear Him. It's a call for God to reveal Himself in such a powerful way that it will cause all nations to tremble with reverence, similar to the response of the nations in Psalm 67:2, where God's salvation is among all nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of fire kindling brushwood in Isaiah 64:2?
The image of fire kindling brushwood in Isaiah 64:2 illustrates the powerful and transformative presence of God, much like the refining fire mentioned in Malachi 3:2, which purifies and transforms those who come near to Him.
Why does Isaiah desire for God's name to be made known to His enemies?
Isaiah's desire for God's name to be made known to His enemies, as stated in Isaiah 64:2, is rooted in the understanding that knowing God's name is to know His character and power, as seen in Exodus 34:5-7, and this knowledge will evoke a response of trembling and reverence, as mentioned in Isaiah 64:2.
How does this verse relate to God's presence in our lives?
Isaiah 64:2 expresses a longing for God's presence to be manifest in a way that transforms and impacts not just believers, but also those who do not know Him, much like the desire expressed in Psalm 27:4 to dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty, highlighting the believer's yearning for a palpable experience of God's presence.
What is the role of trembling at God's presence in this context?
Trembling at God's presence, as mentioned in Isaiah 64:2, is an act of reverence and awe, recognizing the majesty and holiness of God, similar to the response of the disciples in Matthew 14:33, who worshiped Jesus after witnessing His power over nature, demonstrating that true acknowledgment of God's presence leads to worship and humility.
Reflection Questions
- What are the areas in my life where I need to experience the kindling fire of God's presence, and how can I prepare my heart for such an encounter?
- In what ways can I, like Isaiah, long for God's name to be made known to those around me who do not know Him, and what actions can I take to share His love and character with them?
- How does the image of fire causing water to boil in Isaiah 64:2 speak to the transformative power of God in my own life, and what are the 'waters' that I need to see boiled or transformed by His presence?
- What does it mean for me to tremble at God's presence, and how can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for Him in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 64:2
As when the melting fire burneth,.... Or, "the fire of melting" (k); a strong vehement fire, as Kimchi, such as is used under a furnace for melting metals; though De Dieu thinks a slow gentle fire is
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 64:2
As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
As when the melting fire burneth; 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; and thus, for the most part, when God will take vengeance of his enemies, the Scripture expresseth him coming with fire. Thy name known; thy power known, that thine enemies and persecutors of try church may know thy power, and that thy name may be dreaded among them; his name put for his power, . The nations; not the Babylonians only, but the nations round about.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
Isaiah 64:2 As [when] the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, [that] the nations may tremble at thy presence!Ver. 2. As when the melting fire burneth.] So let the mountains burn and boil at thy presence. Aristotle reporteth that from the hill Etna there once ran down a torrent of fire, that consumed all the houses thereabout. The like is recorded of Vesuvius, and of Pietra Mala, a mountain in the highest part of the Apeninnes, which perpetually burneth; so Hecla and Hogla, in Iceland. De Mundo, cap. 6.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
(2) As when the melting fire burneth . . .—Better, as when fire Kindleth brushwood, as when fire causeth the water to boil. The two-fold action of material fire is used, as elsewhere, as a symbol of the “consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29) of the wrath of Jehovah.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
Verse 2. As when the melting fire burneth - "As the fire kindleth the dry fuel"] המסים hamasim. "It means dry stubble, and the root is המס hamas," says Rabbi Jonah, apud Sal. ben Melec in loc. Which is approved by Schultens, Orig. Heb. p. 30. "The fire kindling the stubble does not seem like enough to the melting of the mountains to be brought as a simile to it. What if thus? - 'That the mountains might flow down at thy presence! As the fire of things smelted burneth, As the fire causeth the waters to boil - ' There is no doubt of the Hebrew words of the second line bearing that version." - Dr. JUBB. I submit these different interpretations to the reader's judgment.
For my own part I am inclined to think that the text is much corrupted in this place. The ancient Versions have not the least traces of either of the above interpretations. The Septuagint and Syriac agree exactly together in rendering this line by, "As the wax melted before the fire," which can by no means be reconciled with the present text. The Vulgate, for המסים hamasim, read ימסו yemasu. That the nations] For גוים goyim, the nations, four MSS. (one of them ancient) have הרים harim, the mountains. - L.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 64:2
2. Render: As fire kindleth brushwood, as fire maketh water boil, &c. to make thy name known to thine adversaries &c.]—the purpose of the Theophany. Cf. ch. Isaiah 59:18-19.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 64:2
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:
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 64:2
2. The melting fire burneth… waters to boil — The point here is the quickness of the effect prayed for in Isaiah 64:1. As fire burns brush or boils water, so quick do Israel’s national foes tremble.
Sermons on Isaiah 64:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Exodus) Exodus 25:1-8 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the blueprint and construction of the tabernacle as described in the book of Exodus. The tabernacle was a place where the Israelites could app |
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(The Royal Psalms) Part 3 by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unchanging nature of God and His unwavering love and faithfulness towards His people. The sermon uses the analogy of a shepherd and his |
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Trembling at God's Righteousness by Joshua Daniel | This sermon focuses on the importance of not deferring obedience to God, using the example of Felix delaying his decision to follow Christ. It emphasizes the need for humility, rig |
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Exposition on Psalm 100 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the importance of jubilating unto the Lord with confession, understanding the depth of jubilance and the need to praise God with a joyful heart and unders |
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Psalm 99 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the greatness and glory of Christ's kingdom, emphasizing the exhortation to worship Him fittingly. The sermon highlights the awe-inspiring image of Jesus s |
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The Unrelenting Humility of God by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the scene of worship described in Revelation chapter 4. The worship is directed towards the God of all creation, with thunderings, lightning |
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The Ministry of Restoration - Part 3 by Dick Hussey | In this sermon on Judges Chapter 9, Jotan, the only surviving son of Gideon, speaks a parable from the top of a hill. One of the pearls in this parable is found in verse 13, where |