Inflame; Enflame
Biblical Definition
The words "inflame" and "enflame" appear in the Bible to describe the arousal of intense passions, whether through intoxication or through illicit religious practices. The Hebrew root behind these terms conveys the idea of burning, heating up, or being set on fire with desire. While fire imagery in the Bible can be positive — describing God's presence, the Holy Spirit, or righteous zeal — the inflaming language in Isaiah carries strongly negative connotations.
Wine That Inflames
In Isaiah 5:11, the prophet pronounces woe on those who "rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them." Here, being "inflamed" describes the state of being driven by alcohol, consumed by the pursuit of intoxication from morning to night.
This verse is part of a series of six "woe" pronouncements in Isaiah 5:8-23, each targeting a different social sin in Judah. The warning against wine that inflames sits alongside condemnations of greed (5:8), injustice (5:20), and arrogant self-sufficiency (5:21). The inflamed drinkers are characterized by their complete absorption in pleasure, to the exclusion of awareness of God: "They do not regard the deeds of the Lord, or see the work of his hands" (Isaiah 5:12).
Enflaming with Idolatry
Isaiah 57:5 uses the related term "enflaming" in the context of idolatrous worship: "You who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks." The enflaming here describes the frenzied passion of pagan worship, which in Canaan involved fertility rituals and, at its worst, child sacrifice.
The prophet uses language of sexual arousal deliberately, because the Bible frequently portrays idolatry as spiritual adultery. Israel's covenant with God was like a marriage (Hosea 2:19-20; Ezekiel 16:8), and turning to other gods was likened to the burning passion of an unfaithful spouse (Ezekiel 23:5-11).
The Broader Theme of Disordered Desire
The inflaming imagery connects to a broader biblical theme about the danger of desires that burn out of control. Proverbs warns repeatedly about the destructive power of unchecked appetite, whether for alcohol (Proverbs 23:29-35), sexual immorality (Proverbs 6:27-29), or wealth (Proverbs 30:15-16).
The New Testament continues this theme. Paul warns that those who reject God are "given up" to "dishonorable passions" (Romans 1:26). James describes how desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when fully grown, brings death (James 1:14-15). The image of inflaming passion that leads to destruction runs as a consistent thread through both Testaments.
Righteous Fire Versus Destructive Flame
Scripture draws a clear distinction between the fire that comes from God and the fire of disordered human desire. The fire of God purifies and empowers (Malachi 3:2-3; Acts 2:3). The fire of sinful passion consumes and destroys. Isaiah's use of inflaming language serves as a warning to recognize the difference — to be set aflame by devotion to God rather than by the intoxicating attractions of idolatry and excess.
The remedy the prophets offer is a return to wholehearted devotion to God, whose love is described as a flame that cannot be quenched (Song of Solomon 8:6-7), channeling human passion toward its proper and life-giving object.
Biblical Context
The term 'inflame' appears in Isaiah 5:11, describing the effect of wine on those who pursue intoxication. 'Enflaming' appears in Isaiah 57:5, referring to the frenzied passion of idolatrous worship. Both terms appear in the context of prophetic condemnation of Israel's unfaithfulness to God.
Theological Significance
The inflaming imagery warns against desires that burn out of control, whether through substance abuse or spiritual unfaithfulness. It illustrates the biblical principle that human passion, when directed away from God, becomes self-destructive. The contrast between holy fire (God's presence) and destructive fire (disordered desire) is a key biblical motif that highlights the importance of directing the heart's deepest longings toward God.
Historical Background
Isaiah prophesied primarily during the 8th century BC, a time of relative prosperity in Judah that led to moral and spiritual decline. Canaanite fertility worship, which involved ecstatic rituals under sacred trees, was a persistent temptation for Israel throughout the monarchic period. Wine production was central to Judah's agricultural economy, and excessive drinking was a recognized social problem. The prophet's language reflects both the agricultural realities and the religious challenges of his era.