Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stubble - literally, as the tongue of fire devoureth (Acts 2:3).
And the flame consumeth the chaff - rather, the withered grass, or straw х chªshash (H2842), from chuwsh (H2363), to hasten; whatever hastily takes fire: or from qaashash (H7197), to collect; or formed from the sound] falleth х yirpeh (H7503), the Qal of raapah (H7503), to fail] before the flame (Matthew 3:12).
(So) their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom - entire decay; both the hidden source and outward manifestation of prosperity perishing (Job 18:16; Malachi 4:1).
Because they have cast away the law - in its spirit, while retaining the letter.