# General Information:

Yahweh threatens to destroy the evil people of [Isaiah 5:18-23](../05/18.md).

# tongue of fire

"flame of fire" or "flame"

# stubble ... chaff

"Stubble" and "chaff" are the useless parts of the food grain plant. During harvest they are dry and so burn easily. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile]])

# stubble

The dry pieces of plants that are left in the ground after the stalks have been cut.

# chaff

or "dry grass"

# their root will rot, and their blossom will blow away like dust

Isaiah speaks of these people as if they were a dying plant. Alternate translation: "they will die like a plant whose roots have rotted and whose blossom has dried up and blown away in the wind" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])