Lexical Summary misraphah: Burning, conflagration, incineration Original Word: מִשְׂרָפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burning From saraph; combustion, i.e. Cremation (of a corpse), or calcination (of lime) -- burning. see HEBREW saraph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom saraph Definition a burning NASB Translation burned (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מַשְׂרֵפָה, מִשְׂרָפָה ?] noun [feminine] a burning; — only plural construct אֲבוֺתֶיךָ ׃ מִשְׂרְפוֺת ׳בּמ: Jeremiah 34:5 (read ׳כְּמ ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Gie Du and others), like the burnings (of spices; compare √ 2a) for thy fathers; שִׂיד ׳מ Isaiah 33:12 (figurative of ignominious destruction, compare Amos 2:1). Topical Lexicon מִשְׂרָפָה Concept Overview The term designates an act or place of burning that is significant enough to be memorialized. In Scripture it appears in settings of public spectacle—either as a somber royal tribute or as a vivid image of divine judgment. The idea is larger than mere combustion; it evokes honor, finality and irrevocable transformation. Occurrences and Context • Isaiah 33:12 presents nations reduced to “burnings,” a picture of total destruction beneath the holiness of God. Funerary Burning as Royal Honor Royal funerals in Judah customarily included large pyres of aromatic woods and spices (2 Chronicles 16:14; 2 Chronicles 21:19). These fires did not cremate the body; they expressed esteem and symbolized prayers rising heavenward. Jeremiah’s prophecy assures Zedekiah of this privilege despite his failures—underscoring the Lord’s covenant faithfulness to David’s line even in imminent exile (compare 2 Samuel 7:13-16). The promise of מִשְׂרָפָה therefore became a ray of mercy amid national collapse. Symbol of Judgment Against Nations Isaiah sets the same word against hostile peoples: “The peoples will burn as if to lime, like thorns cut down and set ablaze” (Isaiah 33:12). Thorn-bush fuel vanishes quickly, leaving only chalky residue—a potent metaphor for the swift, thorough outcome of resisting God (Psalm 118:12). In prophetic literature fire often reveals God’s presence (Exodus 3:2) or purifies His people (Zechariah 13:9); here it annihilates His enemies. מִשְׂרָפָה thus illustrates both sides of divine holiness: purifying the faithful yet consuming the rebellious (Hebrews 12:29). Connections with Other Biblical “Burnings” • Leviticus 6:12-13—continual altar fire sustaining fellowship with God. Each scene, like מִשְׂרָפָה, weds fire to either worship or wrath, depending on covenant posture. Theological Themes 1. Honor and Memory: Righteous kings received fragrant burnings; ignoble ones like Jehoram were denied them (2 Chronicles 21:19). The practice anticipates the “fragrant offering” of Christ’s self-sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2). Relevance for Ministry and Discipleship • Funeral ministry can draw from Jeremiah 34:5, affirming that the Lord remembers individual worth even in seasons of national or personal failure. Fire in Scripture is never neutral. מִשְׂרָפָה reminds readers that every heart will eventually meet the flame—either as a pleasing aroma before the King or as thorns destined for the blaze. Forms and Transliterations וּֽכְמִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת וכמשרפות מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת משרפות miś·rə·p̄ō·wṯ misreFot miśrəp̄ōwṯ ū·ḵə·miś·rə·p̄ō·wṯ uchemisreFot ūḵəmiśrəp̄ōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 33:12 HEB: וְהָי֥וּ עַמִּ֖ים מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת שִׂ֑יד קוֹצִ֥ים NAS: The peoples will be burned to lime, KJV: And the people shall be [as] the burnings of lime: INT: become the peoples will be burned to lime thorns Jeremiah 34:5 2 Occurrences |
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