Charles Ellicott Commentary Isaiah 33:12

"And the peoples shall be as the burnings of lime, as thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire." — Isaiah 33:12 (ASV)

And the people shall be ... —The two images of destruction are singularly vivid. The limekiln and the oven which was fed with thorns were alike in this. The outcome of their work was seen in a residue of ashes.