Isaiah 44:16

He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth [himself], and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

He burneth ^{H8313} part ^{H2677} thereof in ^{H1119} the fire ^{H784}; with part ^{H2677} thereof he eateth ^{H398} flesh ^{H1320}; he roasteth ^{H6740} roast ^{H6748}, and is satisfied ^{H7646}: yea, he warmeth ^{H2552} himself, and saith ^{H559}, Aha ^{H1889}, I am warm ^{H2552}, I have seen ^{H7200} the fire ^{H217}:

So half of it he burns in the fire; with that half he roasts meat and eats his fill; he warms himself; says, "It feels so good, getting warm while watching the flames!"

He burns half of it in the fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. Indeed, he warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”

He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire.

Isaiah 44:16 is part of a powerful passage (verses 9-20) where the prophet Isaiah vividly exposes the absurdity and folly of idol worship. This specific verse highlights the ultimate contradiction of pagan practices, where a piece of wood is simultaneously used for mundane, practical purposes and then fashioned into an object of worship.

Context and Setting

In the historical context of ancient Israel, idol worship was a pervasive practice among surrounding nations and a constant temptation for God's people. Isaiah, ministering during a period of significant political and spiritual turmoil, delivers a scathing critique of those who craft idols. The passage preceding this verse, such as Isaiah 44:9, begins to lay out the foolishness of the idol maker. Here, the prophet points out that the very same wood used for sustenance and comfort is then elevated to divine status.

Key Themes and Insights

The Absurdity of Idolatry: The verse paints a striking picture of the same piece of wood (עֵץ – 'ets in Hebrew, meaning "tree" or "wood") being used to cook a meal ("he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast") and provide warmth ("he warmeth [himself], and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire"). This practical utility stands in stark contrast to the later use of the remaining wood to form a god, underscoring the illogical nature of bowing down to something made by human hands from common material.
Human Folly and Blindness: Isaiah highlights the profound spiritual blindness of those who can derive physical comfort and nourishment from a piece of wood, yet fail to see the emptiness of the idol crafted from its remainder. They find immediate, tangible satisfaction in the fire's warmth but seek spiritual comfort in a lifeless object.
Contrast with the True God: By ridiculing the impotence of idols, the passage implicitly magnifies the incomparable power and sovereignty of the one true God, who is the Creator, not the created. This contrasts sharply with the idol's inability to see, hear, or save, as described in passages like Psalm 115:4-8 or Jeremiah 10:3-5.

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically worship wooden statues, the principle of Isaiah 44:16 remains profoundly relevant. We are prone to modern forms of idolatry – placing ultimate trust, devotion, and satisfaction in things other than God. These can include money, career, possessions, relationships, power, or even self-image. This verse challenges us to examine what truly provides us warmth, sustenance, and ultimate satisfaction. Is it the temporary comfort of created things, or the eternal security and spiritual warmth found only in the Creator, as we understand His nature through His Word? True fulfillment comes from worshiping the living God, not from what we can make, consume, or accumulate.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.