Isaiah 33:12

12 People will be burned until their bones become like lime; they will burn quickly like dry thornbushes."

Isaiah 33:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 33:12

And the people shall be [as] the burnings of lime
Like chalk stones that are burnt to make lime of; which may denote not only their hardness and impenitency, which brought upon them and issued in the wrath of God; but the miserable condition into which they are brought, and the torture they should be put to: perhaps this may refer to the casting of the beast and false prophet alive into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, ( Revelation 19:20 ) : [as] thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire;
"thorns" are a fit simile to express the unfruitfulness, uselessness, and harmfulness of wicked men, particularly the sons of Belial, the followers of antichrist; and these "cut up", and so not green and moist, but dry, and fit fuel for the fire, which burn the more easily and quickly, makes the metaphor more agreeable. The burning of Rome seems here to be pointed at, ( Revelation 17:16 ) ( 18:8 ) .

Isaiah 33:12 In-Context

10 The Lord says, "Now, I will stand up and show my greatness. Now, I will become important to the people.

11 You people do useless things that are like hay and straw. A destructive wind will burn you like fire.

12 People will be burned until their bones become like lime; they will burn quickly like dry thornbushes."

13 You people in faraway lands, hear what I have done. You people who are near me, learn about my power.

14 The sinners in Jerusalem are afraid; those who are separated from God shake with fear. They say, "Can any of us live through this fire that destroys? Who can live near this fire that burns on and on?"