Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.

ISAIAH 10:16KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 10:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 10:16 mean?

Isaiah 10:16 announces that the Lord will bring down Assyria’s power and splendor. The verse pictures a once-formidable force losing its strength, followed by a fire that consumes what made it impressive.

The “fat ones” picture well-fed, powerful people, while “leanness” suggests a wasting away. The fire burns “under his glory,” as though a blaze were eating away at something splendid from within. After the challenge to Assyria’s boasting in verse 15, Isaiah presents the Lord as the one who acts.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 10:16

  • “ones” — מִשְׁמָן (mishman): This word carries the sense of richness or fatness. The KJV’s “fat ones” uses that picture to describe those who appear strong and well supplied.
  • “glory” — כָּבוֹד (kavod): This word can mean honor, splendor, or weight. Here, “glory” points to the imposing display of Assyria’s greatness, beneath which the fire is kindled.

Why Isaiah 10:16 matters

  • The verse answers Assyria’s pride with a picture of reversal. The “fat ones” face “leanness,” so their present strength will not remain.
  • The images reach beyond a single person. The words “among his fat ones” and “under his glory” picture damage to the power and splendor surrounding the Assyrian ruler.
  • The fire image continues into verse 17, where the fire consumes Assyria’s “thorns” and “briers.” Together, the images portray a force that once seemed hard to resist being burned away.

Where else these words appear

“leanness” Hebrew H7332 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
  • Micah 6:10 Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable?

“ones” Hebrew H4924 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
  • Isaiah 17:4 And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.

“kindle” Hebrew H3344 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 6:9 Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.
  • Leviticus 6:13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
  • Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.