You conceive chaff;This phrase uses agricultural imagery to convey the futility of the people's efforts. In ancient Israel, chaff was the husk separated from the grain during threshing, considered worthless and discarded. The metaphor suggests that the plans and actions of the people are empty and without substance. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of human efforts apart from God being ultimately fruitless, as seen in
Psalm 1:4, where the wicked are compared to chaff driven by the wind.
you give birth to stubble.
Stubble refers to the leftover stalks after a field has been harvested, another symbol of worthlessness. The imagery of giving birth to stubble emphasizes the idea of producing something that lacks value and is destined for destruction. This can be connected to the concept of spiritual barrenness, where actions not rooted in righteousness lead to emptiness. The futility of relying on human strength and wisdom is echoed in passages likeJeremiah 17:5-6, which contrasts the cursed man who trusts in man with the blessed man who trusts in the Lord.
Your breath is a fire that will consume you.
This phrase highlights the self-destructive nature of the people's actions. In biblical symbolism, fire often represents judgment and purification. Here, the breath, which can symbolize life and spirit, becomes a consuming fire, indicating that their own words and deeds will lead to their downfall. This can be seen as a warning of divine judgment, similar to the fire imagery inIsaiah 30:27-30, where God's breath is described as a consuming fire. The self-destructive consequences of sin are a recurring theme in Scripture, reminding believers of the importance of aligning with God's will to avoid such outcomes.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope.
2.
JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, often the primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies. During Isaiah's time, Judah faced threats from surrounding nations and internal corruption.
3.
AssyriaA dominant empire during Isaiah's time, often seen as an instrument of God's judgment against Israel and Judah for their unfaithfulness.
4.
JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, frequently mentioned in Isaiah's prophecies as both a place of impending judgment and future restoration.
5.
God's JudgmentA recurring theme in Isaiah, where God warns of the consequences of sin and rebellion, often using vivid imagery to convey the seriousness of His message.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Sinful EndeavorsJust as chaff and stubble are worthless, so are the pursuits that are not rooted in God's righteousness. Our efforts apart from God will ultimately lead to destruction.
The Consequences of RebellionThe imagery of fire consuming highlights the inevitable judgment that comes from living in opposition to God's will. It serves as a warning to turn back to God.
The Power of WordsThe "breath" that becomes a consuming fire can be seen as a metaphor for the destructive power of words and actions that are not aligned with God's truth.
Call to RepentanceThis verse serves as a call to examine our lives and turn away from pursuits that lead to spiritual emptiness, urging us to seek God's guidance and righteousness.
Hope in God's RedemptionWhile the verse speaks of judgment, it also points to the need for redemption, which is available through faith in Christ, who offers a way out of the cycle of sin and judgment.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 33:11?
2.How does Isaiah 33:11 warn against relying on human efforts over God's power?
3.What does "chaff" and "stubble" symbolize in Isaiah 33:11 for believers today?
4.How can Isaiah 33:11 guide us in discerning false teachings?
5.Connect Isaiah 33:11 with James 4:14 on the futility of earthly pursuits.
6.How can Isaiah 33:11 encourage us to prioritize spiritual growth over worldly success?
7.What does Isaiah 33:11 reveal about the consequences of sin and rebellion against God?
8.How does Isaiah 33:11 reflect the theme of divine judgment in the Bible?
9.What historical context influenced the message of Isaiah 33:11?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 33?
11.What does 'baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire' mean?
12.How could Moses and the elders literally 'see' God and survive (Exodus 24:9-11)?
13.Isaiah 47:14 - Where is the historical or scientific evidence of people burning up like stubble as a direct fulfillment of this prophecy?
14.Is hell eternal? (Matthew 25:46 vs. Malachi 4:1)What Does Isaiah 33:11 Mean
You conceive chaff– Isaiah pictures the enemies of God plotting and planning, yet what they carry in their minds is as weightless as chaff.
–Psalm 7:14 echoes this image: “Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and gives birth to falsehood,” showing that sinful schemes never produce lasting substance.
–Job 15:35 adds, “They conceive trouble and give birth to evil,” reinforcing how emptiness is the inevitable outcome of wicked intent.
– The lesson: when hearts are bent on rebellion, even the moment of conception—where life and purpose should begin—is already hollow.
You give birth to stubble– The climax of those empty plans is not a harvest of grain but brittle stubble, good only for burning (Isaiah 5:24).
– Stubble is short-lived; it snaps under the slightest pressure, illustrating the fragility of human pride set against God.
–Psalm 83:13 prays that God would make His foes “like tumbleweed… like chaff before the wind,” highlighting how effortlessly He disperses them.
– What looks like strength in the world’s eyes turns out to be fuel awaiting the fire of divine judgment.
Your breath is a fire that will consume you– In a striking reversal, the very breath of the wicked—symbolizing their words, boasts, and threats—ignites their downfall.
–Job 4:9 observes, “By the breath of God they perish,” yet Isaiah says the destroyers’ own breath burns them up; their sin is self-kindling.
–James 3:6 warns, “The tongue is a fire… set on fire by hell,” reminding us that speech can unleash destruction far beyond intention.
–Isaiah 10:17 foretells that “The Light of Israel will become a fire… in one day it will consume” the arrogant nation; here, however, God allows pride to turn inward and devour itself.
– Whether through divine intervention or self-inflicted ruin, rebellion against the Holy One cannot stand.
summaryIsaiah 33:11 exposes the futility of evil: empty plans (chaff) yield worthless results (stubble), and the very words used to threaten God’s people become the spark that destroys the plotters. The verse calls every reader to recognize that life apart from the Lord produces only kindling for judgment, while humble trust in Him secures lasting substance and safety.
(11)
Ye shall conceive chaff . . .--Primarily the words are addressed to the Assyrian invaders, but not without a side glance at all who had been weaving their own webs of policy instead of trusting in Jehovah. Scheme and result, conception and parturition, would be alike worthless.
Your breath, as fire . . .--"Breath," the hot panting of rage; this, instead of working the destruction of Judah, should prove suicidal.
Verse 11. -
Ye shall conceive chaff. The
Assyrian plans against Jerusalem shall be mere "chaff" and "
stubble." They shall come to naught. Nay, the fury of the foe against Jerusalem shall be the fire to destroy them.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You conceiveתַּהֲר֥וּ(ta·hă·rū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2029:To conceive, become pregnantchaff;חֲשַׁ֖שׁ(ḥă·šaš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2842:Dry grassyou give birth toתֵּ֣לְדוּ(tê·lə·ḏū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineagestubble.קַ֑שׁ(qaš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7179:Stubble, chaffYour breathרוּחֲכֶ֕ם(rū·ḥă·ḵem)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritis a fireאֵ֖שׁ(’êš)Noun - common singular
Strong's 784:A firethat will consume you.תֹּאכַלְכֶֽם׃(tō·ḵal·ḵem)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person masculine plural
Strong's 398:To eat
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 33:11 You will conceive chaff (Isa Isi Is)