### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun יְקוֹד (yᵉqôwd, `{{H3350}}`) carries the core meaning of "a burning" or "burning." It is derived directly from the verb יָקַד (yāqad, `{{H3344}}`), which signifies "to kindle," "to burn," or "to glow." Thus, yᵉqôwd describes the *result* or *act* of kindling, emphasizing the intense heat and consuming nature inherent in the root verb. Unlike a general term for fire, yᵉqôwd points to a specific instance or effect of combustion, often with connotations of intensity and consumption. Its singular usage in the Hebrew Bible underscores a particular, potent manifestation of this concept.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term יְקוֹד (yᵉqôwd, `{{H3350}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically in [[Isaiah 10:16]]. The verse reads: "Therefore the Lord, the LORD of hosts, will send a wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning (יְקוֹד) will be kindled like a burning fire."
In this prophetic context, Isaiah delivers a message of divine judgment against the arrogant nation of Assyria. The "burning" (יְקוֹד) is presented as a direct consequence of God's sovereign action. It is paralleled with "wasting sickness" (רָזוֹן, rāzôn), both serving as metaphors for the debilitating and destructive judgment that will consume Assyria's strength and glory. The phrase "under his glory a burning will be kindled" vividly portrays the ignominious end of Assyria's pride and power, which God will cause to be consumed as if by fire. The explicit comparison to "a burning fire" (כִּיקֹד אֵשׁ, kiyqôd 'ēsh) further emphasizes the destructive, consuming nature of this divine intervention. It is not merely a metaphor for a general decline, but for a specific, intense, and God-initiated consumption.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and significant related word is the verbal root יָקַד (yāqad, `{{H3344}}`), from which יְקוֹד (yᵉqôwd, `{{H3350}}`) is directly derived. This root's meaning of "to kindle" or "to burn fiercely" is fully embodied in the noun, highlighting the active, intense nature of the "burning" described.
Other Hebrew terms related to fire and burning include:
* אֵשׁ ('ēsh, `{{H784}}`): The general and most common word for "fire."
* לֶהָבָה (lehāvāh, `{{H3852}}`): "Flame" or "blazing fire," emphasizing the visible aspect of fire.
* בָּעַר (bāʿar, `{{H1197}}`): A verb meaning "to burn," "to consume," often in a destructive sense.
* שָׂרַף (śāraph, `{{H8313}}`): A verb meaning "to burn," "to consume by fire," frequently used in contexts of sacrifice, cremation, or utter destruction.
While these terms all relate to fire, יְקוֹד (yᵉqôwd, `{{H3350}}`) carries a unique nuance in its singular biblical occurrence. It is not merely fire, but a specific "kindling" or "burning" that is initiated by divine will, acting as an instrument of judgment to consume strength and glory. It implies a targeted, internal consumption, as opposed to a widespread conflagration, though its effects are equally devastating.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of יְקוֹד (yᵉqôwd, `{{H3350}}`) in [[Isaiah 10:16]] holds profound theological significance, primarily as an expression of divine judgment and sovereignty.
1. **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** The "burning" symbolizes God's active and consuming wrath against human pride and arrogance. Assyria, in its self-aggrandizement, failed to acknowledge that it was merely an instrument in God's hand ([[Isaiah 10:5]]). The יְקוֹד represents the inevitable consequence of defying the Most High.
2. **Consumption of Human Glory:** The phrase "under his glory a burning will be kindled" powerfully illustrates God's ability to diminish and destroy human strength, honor, and perceived invincibility. What Assyria considered its "glory" – its military might, its conquests, its wealth – would be consumed by an internal, divinely-sent "burning."
3. **God's Sovereignty over Nations:** This passage underscores the biblical truth that God is sovereign over all nations. He raises them up and casts them down. The יְקוֹד is a stark reminder that even the most powerful earthly empires are subject to His will and judgment.
4. **Fire as a Metaphor for God's Action:** Throughout Scripture, fire is a multifaceted metaphor for God's presence (e.g., the burning bush, [[Exodus 3:2]]), His holiness ([[Deuteronomy 4:24]]), purification, and judgment. In [[Isaiah 10:16]], יְקוֹד distinctly aligns with the judgmental aspect, signifying a destructive, consuming force unleashed by God Himself.
### Summary
The Hebrew word יְקוֹד (yᵉqôwd, `{{H3350}}`) denotes "a burning" or "burning," deriving from the verb "to kindle." Its sole appearance in [[Isaiah 10:16]] serves as a potent metaphor for divine judgment. In this context, it describes a consuming affliction, likened to a fierce fire, which God sends to destroy the pride and strength of arrogant Assyria. Theologically, יְקוֹד powerfully conveys God's sovereign ability to bring about the downfall of nations, demonstrating His righteous wrath and the ultimate futility of human glory when it stands in opposition to His divine will. It is a vivid image of intense, consuming judgment.
TRV