Isaiah 6:13
And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled.” The holy seed is its stump.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even after devastating judgment, a small "holy seed" remains, like the stump of a felled tree, holding the promise of future life. This isn't just about physical survival; it’s about an enduring, divine spark that ensures the people's ultimate continuity and renewal.
After delivering a message of judgment and impending exile, God instructs Isaiah that even in destruction, a remnant will remain. This remnant will be tested and sifted, like a tree stump that, though appearing lifeless, holds the potential for new growth. The prophecy points to a future where a "holy seed" will emerge from this tested remnant, ensuring the continuity of God's people and promises.
Imagine a once-vibrant forest, now reduced to scorched earth. Even in such devastation, life can find a way.
This verse paints a stark picture of judgment. The land of Judah, like a mighty tree felled and burned, faces repeated destruction.
The Repeated Fire
Isaiah foresees not just one act of judgment, but a recurring cycle. The land will be 'burned again.' This speaks to the profound and lasting consequences of disobedience, where destruction isn't a one-time event but a process that sifts and refines.
The Small Remnant
Amidst this destruction, a 'tenth' remains. This isn't a large, thriving population, but a mere fraction. It highlights that judgment, while severe, is not absolute annihilation. A remnant, however small, is preserved. This echoes the idea that even in God's judgment, mercy is present, though often in a very limited form.
What does a felled tree have to do with the future of God's people? It holds the secret to life even after death.
The core of this verse's hope lies in the image of the stump and the 'holy seed.'
The Unseen Life
Even when a terebinth or oak tree is cut down and burned, its stump often remains. This stump, though seemingly dead, holds the vital principle of life. It represents the latent power from which new growth can emerge.
The 'Holy Seed'
Isaiah identifies this principle of life as the 'holy seed.' This refers to a chosen, consecrated remnant – not just any survivors, but those set apart by God. This 'holy seed' is the enduring essence of God's people, the guarantee that despite devastation, the covenant line and God's redemptive purposes will continue. It's the promise that life will spring forth from what appears to be death.
Understand the original words
asiriyah · Hebrew Noun
A mathematical portion representing a remnant or a tithe, often used biblically to denote the small group that survives judgment to maintain the covenant continuity.
elah · Hebrew Noun
A tall, sturdy, and long-lived tree often used in Scripture as a symbol of strength, stability, and sometimes pride that will be brought low under God's judgment.
matstsebah · Hebrew Noun
The remaining part of a tree after the main trunk has been cut down; biblically, it symbolizes the small, surviving remnant of the people of God from which new growth will eventually emerge.
shalak · Hebrew Verb
Refers to that which has been cut down or slaughtered; a metaphor for the destruction of a nation or individual under divine discipline.
This verse speaks of repeated destruction and a persistent 'holy seed' that endures, reflecting a history of devastating conquests of Jerusalem and the Temple, yet always with a remnant preserving the nation's identity and future hope.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Isaiah's Vision and Commission
Isaiah receives his prophetic call in the temple, foreseeing the judgment and eventual restoration of Judah.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Syria attack Judah. Isaiah advises King Ahaz to trust God, but he seeks Assyrian aid instead.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and marking a major loss of the
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar, many Judean exiles, including Daniel, are taken to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
This passage speaks of an 'elect remnant' chosen by grace, mirroring Isaiah's concept of the 'holy seed' that preserves the nation even amidst destruction.
Ezekiel 5:1-4This passage uses a similar, stark imagery of division and destruction, where a portion is burned, a portion is cut by sword, and a portion scattered, illustrating the sifting judgment described in Isaiah.
Zechariah 13:8-9This prophecy describes a two-thirds being cut off and dying, but the remaining third being refined by fire, directly paralleling the 'tenth' that remains and is the 'holy seed' in Isaiah.
John 15:2Jesus uses the imagery of a vine being pruned so it can bear more fruit, which resonates with the idea that even after being 'cut down' or judged, the 'holy seed' retains a vital principle for future fruitfulness.
Isaiah 11:1This passage directly follows the theme of judgment in chapter 6, describing a 'shoot' from the stump of Jesse, which beautifully illustrates the 'holy seed' remaining as the source of future restoration.
gillIsaiah 6:13: "But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof."
But yet in it shall be a tenth,.... Which some understand of ten kings that should reign over Judah from this time, the death of Uzziah, unto the captivity, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra observe; and which are, as Kimchi reckons them, as follows, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh,…
barnesIsaiah 6:13: "But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof."
But yet ... - The main idea in this verse is plain, though there is much difficulty in the explanation of the particular phrases. The leading thought is, that the land should not be "utterly" and finally abandoned. There would be the remains of life - as in an oak or terebi…
Even after devastating judgment, a small "holy seed" remains, like the stump of a felled tree, holding the promise of future life. This isn't just about physical survival; it’s about an enduring, divine spark that ensures the people's ultimate continuity and renewal.
After delivering a message of judgment and impending exile, God instructs Isaiah that even in destruction, a remnant will remain. This remnant will be tested and sifted, like a tree stump that, though appearing lifeless, holds the potential for new growth. The prophecy points to a future where a "holy seed" will emerge from this tested remnant, ensuring the continuity of God's people and promises.
After delivering a message of judgment and impending exile, God instructs Isaiah that even in destruction, a remnant will remain. This remnant will be tested and sifted, like a tree stump that, though appearing lifeless, holds the potential for new growth. The prophecy points to a future where a "holy seed" will emerge from this tested remnant, ensuring the continuity of God's people and promises.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 6:13 is available in the Sola app.
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective
That which is set apart for God's use or characterized by His purity; it often denotes the faithful remnant who possess the promise of God and remain dedicated to His purposes.
zera · Hebrew Noun
The source of life and reproduction; metaphorically used for the faithful descendants or the remnant through whom God will fulfill His covenant promises to Israel.
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, carrying most of the remaining population into exile.
c. AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War
A major revolt against Roman rule leads to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple by the Romans.
"And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled.” The holy seed is its stump." — Even after devastating judgment, a small "holy seed" remains, like the stump of a felled tree, holding the promise of future life. This isn't just about physical survival; it’s about an enduring, div…
