He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

ISAIAH 44:16KJV
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Isaiah 44:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 44:16 mean?

Isaiah 44:16 describes a person using part of a piece of wood to build a fire, cooking meat over it, eating until satisfied, and warming himself, even expressing pleasure at the warmth from the fire. The verse highlights how ordinary and practical the use of wood is for daily needs like cooking and heating.

Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, pointing out the everyday uses of wood to set up a contrast with idol-making. In the surrounding passage, Isaiah is exposing the irony and foolishness of carving idols from the same wood that is burned for warmth and food. The verse is part of a larger argument showing how people can treat the same material as both sacred and ordinary, missing the contradiction.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 44:16

  • "burneth" (שָׂרַף, saraph) means to burn or consume by fire, emphasizing the practical destruction of part of the wood for heat.
  • "satisfied" (שָׂבַע, sava) means to be filled or content, showing that the wood meets real physical needs.
  • "Aha" (אָח, ach) is an exclamation of satisfaction or pleasure, capturing the sense of comfort and self-congratulation in the moment.
  • "warmeth" (חָמַם, chamam) means to become warm, underscoring the everyday benefit of the fire.

Why Isaiah 44:16 matters

  • Isaiah 44:16 helps clarify the absurdity Isaiah is highlighting: people use the same wood for common needs and for making idols, yet treat the idol as something holy.
  • The verse emphasizes the practical, everyday value of wood, making the later worship of a wooden idol seem even more unreasonable.
  • This verse connects to the broader theme in Isaiah 44, where the prophet exposes the emptiness of idol worship by showing how idols are made from ordinary materials used for ordinary purposes.

Where else these words appear

“roasteth” Hebrew H6740 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
  • Isaiah 44:19 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

“roast” Hebrew H6748 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
  • Exodus 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

“fire” Hebrew H217 · used in 6 verses

  • Isaiah 24:15 Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
  • Isaiah 31:9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

“Aha” Hebrew H1889 · used in 9 verses

  • Job 39:25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
  • Psalms 35:25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
  • Ezekiel 25:3 And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;