Isaiah 66:15
כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ בָּאֵ֣שׁ יָבֹ֔וא וְכַסּוּפָ֖ה מַרְכְּבֹתָ֑יו לְהָשִׁ֤יב בְּחֵמָה֙ אַפֹּ֔ו וְגַעֲרָתֹ֖ו בְּלַהֲבֵי־אֵֽשׁ׃
Announcement Formula: כִּֽי־הִנֵּה יְהוָה
כִּֽי־הִנֵּה (“For behold”) introduces a prophetic announcement with emphasis and urgency. יְהוָה is the divine subject, immediately linked to the coming action. The formula alerts the audience to a decisive intervention by God.
Descent in Fire: בָּאֵשׁ יָבֹוא
בָּאֵשׁ (“in fire”) uses the preposition בְּ (“in, with”) emphasizing the medium of divine appearance. יָבֹוא is a Qal imperfect 3ms of ב־ו־א (“to come”), describing imminent future action: “He will come.” The pairing of divine coming with fire signifies judgment and purification throughout prophetic literature.
Fiery Chariots: וְכַסּוּפָה מַרְכְּבֹתָיו
וְכַסּוּפָה (“and like a whirlwind”) uses כְּ (“like”) for simile, comparing God’s chariots (מַרְכְּבֹתָיו, “His chariots”) to a stormy whirlwind. סוּפָה suggests violent and irresistible force. Together, the imagery intensifies the portrayal of God’s unstoppable advance.
Purpose Clause: לְהָשִׁיב בְּחֵמָה אַפֹּו
לְהָשִׁיב (“to return, to turn back”) is a Hiphil infinitive construct of ש־ו־ב. It expresses purpose: “to repay” or “to bring back.” בְּחֵמָה (“in fury”) and אַפֹּו (“His anger”) describe the emotional character of the retribution, combining concepts of rage and fiery vengeance.
Parallel Force: וְגַעֲרָתֹו בְּלַהֲבֵי־אֵשׁ
וְגַעֲרָתֹו (“and His rebuke”) is paired with בְּלַהֲבֵי־אֵשׁ (“with flames of fire”). גַעֲרָה (“rebuke, blast”) depicts God’s judgment not merely as words, but as powerful, destructive utterance. The phrase links divine speech with fire, symbolizing consuming judgment.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Isaiah 66:15
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| יָבֹוא | ב־ו־א | Qal imperfect (3ms) | “He will come” — describing imminent arrival |
| סוּפָה | ס־ו־ף | Noun (fs) | “Whirlwind” — simile for divine force |
| לְהָשִׁיב | ש־ו־ב | Hiphil infinitive construct | “To repay / to turn back” — purpose clause |
| גַעֲרָה | ג־ע־ר | Noun (fs) | “Rebuke” — instrument of fiery judgment |
The Grammar of Fiery Judgment
Isaiah 66:15 is ablaze with grammar that mirrors its meaning: future tense verbs promise divine action, infinitives signal purpose, and similes forge vivid imagery. Flames, chariots, and wrath converge linguistically to forecast a judgment as overwhelming as it is inevitable. Through the careful structure of verbs and imagery, Hebrew grammar here does not just describe judgment — it becomes the medium of divine fire itself.
