Isaiah 66:16
Isaiah 66:16 in Multiple Translations
For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.
For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
For by fire will Jehovah execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah shall be many.
For with fire and sword will the Lord come, judging all the earth, and his sword will be on all flesh: and great numbers will be put to death by him.
The Lord will execute judgment on everyone by fire and by his sword. There will be many killed by the Lord.
For the Lord will iudge with fire, and with his sworde all flesh, and the slaine of the Lord shall be many.
For by fire and by His sword, Doth Jehovah do judgment with all flesh. And many have been Jehovah's pierced ones.'
For the LORD will execute judgment by fire and by his sword on all flesh; and those slain by the LORD will be many.
For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
For the Lord shall judge by fire, and by his sword unto all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
It is as though [MET] Yahweh has a big sword, and he will judge and execute many people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 66:16
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 66:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֤י
בָ/אֵשׁ֙
יְהוָ֣ה
נִשְׁפָּ֔ט
וּ/בְ/חַרְבּ֖/וֹ
אֶת
כָּל
בָּשָׂ֑ר
וְ/רַבּ֖וּ
חַֽלְלֵ֥י
יְהוָֽה
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
בָ/אֵשׁ֙
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Prep | N-cs
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
נִשְׁפָּ֔ט
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
V-Niphal
וּ/בְ/חַרְבּ֖/וֹ
chereb
H2719
sword
Conj | Prep | N-fs | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בָּשָׂ֑ר
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms
וְ/רַבּ֖וּ
râbab
H7231
to multiply
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
חַֽלְלֵ֥י
châlâl
H2491
slain
Adj
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 66:16
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
בָ/אֵשׁ֙
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Prep | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
נִשְׁפָּ֔ט
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
V-Niphal
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
וּ/בְ/חַרְבּ֖/וֹ
chereb
H2719
"sword"
Conj | Prep | N-fs | Suff
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
אֶת
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בָּשָׂ֑ר
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
וְ/רַבּ֖וּ
râbab
H7231
"to multiply"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
Means to multiply or increase, used in Genesis to describe God's promise to make Abraham's descendants numerous.
Definition: 1) to be or become many, be or become much, be or become great 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to be or become many 1a2) to be or become great 1a3) to be long (of journey) 2) (Pual) ten thousands
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: increase, be many(-ifold), be more, multiply, ten thousands. See also: Genesis 6:1; Psalms 69:5; Psalms 3:2.
חַֽלְלֵ֥י
châlâl
H2491
"slain"
Adj
This word describes something or someone that has been profaned or hurt, like in Numbers 35:33. It can also mean to be pierced or wounded, as in physically harmed.
Definition: : killed 1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced 1a) pierced, fatally wounded 1b) slain Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded. See also: Genesis 34:27; Isaiah 66:16; Psalms 69:27.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Isaiah 66:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 66:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 66:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 66:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 66:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 66:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 66:16
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 66:16
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 66:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 66:16
- Sermons on Isaiah 66:16
Context — Final Judgments against the Wicked
14When you see, you will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; then the hand of the LORD will be revealed to His servants, but His wrath will be shown to His enemies.
15For behold, the LORD will come with fire— His chariots are like a whirlwind— to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire.
16For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.
17“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD. 18“And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 38:21–22 | And I will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains, declares the Lord GOD, and every man’s sword will be against his brother. 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. |
| 2 | Isaiah 30:30 | And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 39:2–10 | I will turn you around, drive you along, bring you up from the far north, and send you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike the bow from your left hand and dash down the arrows from your right hand. On the mountains of Israel you will fall—you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to every kind of ravenous bird and wild beast. You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD. So I will make My holy name known among My people Israel and will no longer allow it to be profaned. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Yes, it is coming, and it will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD. This is the day of which I have spoken. Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, kindle fires, and burn up the weapons—the bucklers and shields, the bows and arrows, the clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel. They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD. |
| 4 | Revelation 19:11–21 | Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. |
| 5 | Isaiah 27:1 | In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent —Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea. |
| 6 | Isaiah 34:5–10 | When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat— with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom. And the wild oxen will fall with them, the young bulls with the strong ones. Their land will be drenched with blood, and their soil will be soaked with fat. For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Edom’s streams will be turned to tar, and her soil to sulfur; her land will become a blazing pitch. It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it. |
Isaiah 66:16 Summary
This verse, Isaiah 66:16, is talking about a time when God will judge the world and punish those who have done wrong, using fire and His sword to execute judgment. This is a serious and powerful reminder of God's holiness and justice, as seen in Psalm 99:1-9 and Revelation 20:11-15. It's a call to repentance and a reminder to turn to God, as described in Acts 3:19-20 and 1 Peter 3:18, and to trust in His love and mercy, as seen in John 3:16 and Romans 8:1. By understanding God's judgment, we can better appreciate His love and salvation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the LORD to execute judgment by fire and sword?
This refers to God's powerful and righteous judgment, where He will punish evil and sin, as seen in Isaiah 66:16, and is consistent with His character as a God of justice, as described in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 119:137.
Why will many be slain by the LORD?
This is a result of God's judgment on those who have rejected Him and continued in sin, as warned in Isaiah 66:16, and is also seen in the context of God's wrath in Romans 1:18-32 and Revelation 6:15-17.
Is this verse talking about a physical or spiritual judgment?
While the verse does mention physical judgment, it is also a spiritual reality, as God judges the hearts of all people, as seen in Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Samuel 16:7.
How does this verse relate to the return of Jesus Christ?
This verse is consistent with the biblical teaching that Jesus will return to judge the world, as described in Acts 17:31 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, and will execute God's judgment on all people.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can prepare myself for the day of the Lord's judgment, as described in Isaiah 66:16 and 2 Peter 3:10-14?
- How can I balance the reality of God's judgment with the truth of His love and mercy, as seen in John 3:16 and Romans 8:1?
- In what ways can I be a light in a world that is facing God's judgment, and how can I share the message of salvation with those around me, as described in Matthew 5:14-16 and 2 Corinthians 5:20?
- What are some practical steps I can take to ensure that I am not among those who are slain by the Lord, but rather among those who are redeemed, as described in Romans 10:9-10 and 1 John 1:9?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 66:16
For by fire, and by his sword, will the Lord plead with all flesh,.... With the Mahometans, the Turks, the Ottoman empire, against whom he will call for a sword, and will rain upon them fire and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 66:16
For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 66:16
This kind of rebuking is also called a pleading with them; so he threatens to plead against Gog with pestilence and blood, . God at first pleads with sinners by words; but if he cannot so prevail, he will plead with them in a way by which he will overcome by fire, pestilence, and blood. With all flesh; thus he threatens to do with all sinners, or with all the wicked Jews. The slain of the Lord shall be many; to the fire he threatens to add the sword, so as the slain of the Lord, that is, those whom God should cause to be slain, should be many.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 66:16
Isaiah 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.Ver. 16. For with fire.] Than which nothing is more formidable. And with his sword.] Which is no ordinary one.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 66:16
(16) Will the Lord plead . . .—Better, will the Lord hold judgment. The thoughts of the seer pass on to the retributive side of the Divine righteousness. Fire and sword have been used by the enemies of God against His people, and shall, in turn, be the instruments of His vengeance. The “sword” may, however, be the symbol of the Divine judgment, apart from any reference to its human instrument (Deuteronomy 32:41; Revelation 1:16).
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 66:16
16. by his sword] See ch. Isaiah 27:1, Isaiah 34:5-6. plead] i.e. “enter into judgement,” as Ezekiel 38:22; Joe 3:2. the slain of the Lord shall be many] Cf. Jeremiah 25:33; Zephaniah 2:12 (Hebr.)
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 66:16
For by fire and by his sword - The sword is an instrument by which punishment is executed (see the notes at Isaiah 34:5; compare Romans 13:4).
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 66:16
15, 16. Will come with fire — The figure partakes of imagery from Sinai — a figure always at hand when demonstration of great trial scenes are before us. Isaiah 34:3. For by… his sword — As a mighty warrior.
Sermons on Isaiah 66:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Demonstration 1 (Of Faith) by Aphraates | Aphraates preaches about the importance of faith as the foundation of all good works, emphasizing that faith in Christ is the cornerstone upon which the entire structure of a belie |
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2 Peter 3:7 by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the significance of 2 Peter 3:7, explaining that the current heavens and earth are preserved by God's word, awaiting a future judgment by fire. He contrasts th |
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The King of the North by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord preaches about the prophetic significance of the great world conflict predicted in the Scriptures, involving a revived Roman Empire, a ten-nation confederacy, and |
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The Tribulation, and Those Who Are to Pass Through It. by William Kelly | William Kelly preaches about the great tribulation, emphasizing the distinction between the tribulation that the Christian must endure in this world and the specific trouble at the |
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The Significance of Israel 1980 by Lance Lambert | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a vision from the book of Daniel in which a son of man is given dominion and a kingdom that will never be destroyed. The preacher then connec |
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Hell - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of hell and the judgment of God. He emphasizes that even before eternity comes, God will pour out His judgments on the earth, inc |
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(Revelation - Part 1): John Saw Further in All Directions by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Revelation and the visions that John saw. He describes how John saw various apocalyptic events, such as the sun turning black, th |