When a fire passes through a forest, it might well destroy some of the branches of a tree. But if some branches are left, there is hope that the tree might continue to live. A fire might even destroy the trunk and the branches. But a fire will seldom burn down to the roots. If the root remains, there is hope that the tree might survive, and a new tree might grow from the root. But in this verse, the destruction of the wicked is so complete as to leave absolutely no hope of revival.
1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.