Isaiah 64:2

KJV

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!

KJV (with Strong's)

As when the melting {H2003} fire {H784} burneth {H6919}, the fire {H784} causeth the waters {H4325} to boil {H1158}, to make thy name {H8034} known {H3045} to thine adversaries {H6862}, that the nations {H1471} may tremble {H7264} at thy presence {H6440}!

Complete Jewish Bible

It would be like fire kindling the brush, and the fire then makes the water boil. Then your enemies would know your name, the nations would tremble before you!

Berean Standard Bible

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!

American Standard Version

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!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 64:2 is a fervent plea from the prophet, representing a distressed Israel, for God to dramatically intervene and reveal His majestic power. Employing vivid imagery of a melting fire and boiling waters, the verse expresses a deep longing for a divine manifestation so overwhelming that it would compel God's adversaries to acknowledge His true character and cause all nations to tremble in awe at His sovereign presence. This petition underscores the desperate need for God to act decisively, not only for the deliverance of His people but also for the universal declaration of His unparalleled glory and authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a passionate communal lament and prayer found in [Isaiah 63:7-64:12](/isaiah/63 "Isaiah 63-64 - A Prayer of Lament and Petition"). The preceding verse, [Isaiah 64:1](/isaiah/64-1 "Isaiah 64:1 - A Plea for God's Intervention"), sets the stage by crying out for God to "rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence." Isaiah 64:2 intensifies this plea, providing specific, powerful imagery of divine action that would accompany such a descent. The entire chapter expresses the people's deep distress over their sin and separation from God, yearning for His glorious intervention to restore them and vindicate His name before a skeptical world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prayer in Isaiah 64 is often understood as reflecting the post-exilic period, or at least anticipating the profound desolation and spiritual weariness that would follow the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. The people are in a state of national humiliation, their temple destroyed, and their land desolate. They recall past acts of God's mighty deliverance, such as the [Exodus](/exodus/1 "Exodus - God Delivers His People") and the giving of the Law at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai"), where God's presence was manifested with fire and trembling. The surrounding nations, often adversaries, would have viewed Israel's plight as evidence of their God's weakness or absence. Thus, the plea for God to "make thy name known to thine adversaries" is a cry for divine vindication and a reassertion of His supremacy in a world that had seemingly forgotten Him.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the **Sovereignty and Power of God**, portraying Him as the ultimate force capable of reshaping creation and history. The desire for God's name to be "known to thine adversaries" emphasizes the theme of **Divine Revelation and Vindication**, where God acts to demonstrate His identity and authority to both His people and those who oppose Him. This revelation is intended to elicit **Awe and Trembling**, underscoring the holiness and majesty of God, demanding recognition and submission from all nations. Furthermore, the lament itself speaks to the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness** despite Israel's unfaithfulness, as the people appeal to God's past acts of salvation and His enduring character.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** H8034. In Hebrew thought, a "name" is far more than a mere label; it encapsulates the very essence, character, reputation, and authority of an individual. To "make God's name known" (as in [Psalm 96:3](/psalms/96-3 "Psalm 96:3 - Declare God's Glory Among the Nations")) is to reveal His true nature, His attributes, His power, and His unique identity as the one true God to the world. It signifies a public demonstration of His inherent glory and sovereignty.
* **Known (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** H3045. This primitive root signifies "to know" in a comprehensive sense, encompassing intellectual understanding, experiential acquaintance, recognition, and even intimate relationship. When applied to God making His name known, it implies not just a cognitive awareness of His existence but a profound, undeniable recognition of His power and authority that compels a response, even from His adversaries. It's about God asserting His reality in a way that cannot be ignored.
* **Tremble (Hebrew, _râgaz'_):** H7264. This word describes a violent quivering or shaking, often associated with strong emotions like anger or fear. In the context of encountering God's presence, it denotes a profound sense of awe, dread, and agitation. It is the physical and emotional response to overwhelming divine majesty, signifying a forced acknowledgment of God's supreme power and an inability to resist or stand against Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As [when] the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil":** This vivid double simile serves as a powerful analogy for the overwhelming, irresistible, and transformative power of God's desired intervention. The imagery evokes a force so intense that it causes solid matter to melt and liquids to boil, signifying a complete disruption of the natural order and an unstoppable display of divine might. It suggests a theophany (a visible manifestation of God) of immense scale and intensity, reminiscent of God's appearance at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - God's Presence on Mount Sinai") or His judgment upon His enemies.
* **"to make thy name known to thine adversaries":** This clause reveals the primary purpose of the requested divine manifestation. The display of God's power is not random; it is a deliberate act designed to reveal His true identity, character, and authority to those who oppose Him or are ignorant of Him. "Adversaries" (H6862, _tsar_) refers to those who are hostile or cause distress, implying that God's action will serve as both a vindication for His people and a judgment or revelation for His enemies.
* **"[that] the nations may tremble at thy presence!":** This specifies the desired outcome of God's self-revelation. The "nations" (H1471, _gôwy_) refer to the Gentile peoples, the non-Israelites. The intention is that this overwhelming display of God's power will cause all peoples, not just Israel's immediate enemies, to "tremble" (H7264, _râgaz_) in awe, fear, and recognition of His ultimate sovereignty. It is a plea for universal acknowledgment of God's unique and terrifying majesty.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 64:2 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of divine power through the natural elements of fire and water. The phrase "As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil" employs **Simile** to liken God's anticipated action to an overwhelming natural phenomenon, making His power relatable yet awe-inspiring. The description of mountains melting (from the preceding verse) and waters boiling suggests **Hyperbole**, an intentional exaggeration to convey the immense, uncontainable, and transformative nature of God's power. There is also a strong element of **Theophany**, as the verse describes the desired manifestation of God's presence in a way that impacts the physical world and evokes a profound response from humanity. The structure also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the two clauses describing the fire's effect are followed by two clauses describing the purpose and outcome of God's action, reinforcing the cause-and-effect relationship between divine power and universal recognition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates a fundamental theological truth: God's ultimate purpose is to make His glory known to all creation. The imagery of fire and boiling water speaks to the absolute, uncontainable power of God, a power that transcends all earthly limitations and human comprehension. This divine display is not merely for the benefit of Israel, but for the universal recognition of His sovereignty, compelling even His adversaries and the nations to acknowledge His unique identity. It underscores that God's actions in history, whether in judgment or salvation, are always purposeful, aiming to magnify His name and elicit due reverence. The trembling of the nations is not just fear, but a profound, inescapable recognition of the Holy One, a response that ultimately points towards universal worship or judgment.

* [Exodus 19:18](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - God's Presence on Mount Sinai")
* [Psalm 96:3](/psalms/96-3 "Psalm 96:3 - Declare God's Glory Among the Nations")
* [Revelation 15:4](/revelation/15-4 "Revelation 15:4 - All Nations Will Worship God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 64:2 serves as a profound reminder of the awesome power and majesty of God, a truth that should both humble and comfort us. In times of personal or collective distress, when circumstances seem overwhelming and God's presence feels distant, this verse calls us to pray with boldness and faith, asking for God to reveal Himself in ways that are undeniable. It challenges our often-small view of God, urging us to remember that He is capable of far more than we can imagine, able to melt obstacles and bring about transformation. For believers, this should inspire deep reverence and trust, knowing that our God is mighty to save and to vindicate His name. For those who do not yet know Him, it stands as a solemn warning and a hopeful invitation: God will ultimately reveal Himself, and every knee will bow. Our response to His presence, whether in this life or the next, will determine our eternal destiny. This verse compels us to live in awe of Him, allowing His power to shape our lives and His purposes to guide our prayers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "mountains" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your life or in the world are you asking God to "melt" or overcome with His power?**
* **How does the imagery of "melting fire" and "boiling waters" challenge or expand your understanding of God's power and presence?**
* **In what ways can your life and witness contribute to making God's "name known to thine adversaries" and causing "nations to tremble" (in awe, not just fear) at His presence?**

### FAQ
**What does "melting fire burneth" and "fire causeth the waters to boil" mean metaphorically?**

Answer: Metaphorically, these phrases vividly describe God's overwhelming, irresistible power and His ability to radically transform circumstances. "Melting fire" suggests a force that can dissolve seemingly solid obstacles, while "fire causing waters to boil" implies an intense, disruptive power that can agitate and change even the most fundamental elements. Together, they convey a divine intervention so profound that it alters the very fabric of reality, demonstrating God's absolute control and His capacity to bring about dramatic, undeniable change. This imagery often accompanies descriptions of God's direct, powerful intervention in history, such as His appearance at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai") or His judgment upon nations.

**Why does the prophet want God's name known to "adversaries" and for "nations" to tremble?**

Answer: The prophet's desire is deeply rooted in the theological understanding of God's glory and sovereignty. When Israel faced distress or defeat, it often led to other nations questioning the power or even the existence of Israel's God. Therefore, the plea for God to make His name known to "adversaries" and for "nations to tremble" is a cry for divine vindication. It's a request for God to act in such a way that His unique identity, power, and authority are undeniably revealed to those who oppose Him or are ignorant of Him. The "trembling" is not just fear, but a forced recognition and awe, leading to the universal acknowledgment that the God of Israel is the one true God, as seen in passages like [Psalm 99:1](/psalms/99-1 "Psalm 99:1 - The Lord Reigns, Let the Peoples Tremble"). This ultimately serves God's purpose of universal worship and the establishment of His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 64:2, with its fervent plea for a dramatic divine manifestation to make God's name known and cause nations to tremble, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the prophet longed for a visible, earth-shaking theophany, God's most decisive and transformative self-revelation came not in fire and smoke on a mountain, but in the humble incarnation of His Son. Jesus is the very "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the Radiance of God's Glory")). Through Christ, God's "name" – His character, power, and saving purpose – has been made known to adversaries and nations alike, not through destructive fire, but through the sacrificial love of the cross and the conquering power of the resurrection. The "boiling waters" and "melting fire" of God's power are seen in Christ's authority over creation ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), His defeat of sin and death, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which transformed hearts rather than just physical landscapes. Ultimately, the prophecy that "nations may tremble at thy presence" will be fully realized when "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). Jesus is the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice makes God's name known to all, leading to either trembling in judgment or trembling in worship.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 99:1

¶ The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth [between] the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Jeremiah 33:9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Ezekiel 38:22

And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that [are] with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Ezekiel 38:23

Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Isaiah 37:20

Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.

Exodus 14:4

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I [am] the LORD. And they did so.

Psalms 102:15

So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.