Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
הערת לימוד
Study Note
The rhetorical question 'who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?' is voiced by the 'sinners in Zion' who are seized with fear at the prospect of divine theophany — and the answer (33:15-16) is ethical: the one who 'walketh righteously' and 'speaketh uprightly.' The imagery of 'devouring fire' draws on Sinai theophany language (Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24: 'for the Lord thy God is a consuming fire') and anticipates Hebrews 12:29's citation of the same Deuteronomy text. The question's logic — applied to God's sanctuary presence — is that divine holiness is not merely a theological concept but an ethical force that consumes those who approach it corruptly. The passage shaped Christian mystical theology's emphasis on purification as preparation for divine encounter.
תרגומים נוספים
The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling hath seized the godless ones: Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?
Afraid in Zion have been sinners, Seized hath trembling the profane: Who doth dwell for us--consuming fire, Who doth dwell for us--burnings of the age?
The sinners in Zion are full of fear; the haters of God are shaking with wonder. Who among us may keep his place before the burning fire? who among us may see the eternal burnings?
הפניות צולבות
And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the Lord shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
And ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard …
Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the …
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their …
They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the …
A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.
Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of …