Crusade BibleCrusade Bible
Bouts mosesAttributed to Dieric Bouts · 1450–00

Fire

אֵשׁ/FY-ur/

“Fire, flame”

Summary

A symbol of God's presence, holiness, and judgment throughout Scripture, used both literally in sacrifices and figuratively to represent divine power, purification, and eternal punishment.

☩Divine Manifestation

Fire is specially associated with the Divine presence: in the burning bush, the pillar of fire guiding Israel, and on Mount Sinai. God is described as 'a consuming fire' in His holiness. The risen Christ appears with eyes like a flame of fire, emblematic of omniscient penetration. At Pentecost, tongues of fire indicated the Divine presence conferring the gift of tongues.

Key verses:Exodus 3:2Exodus 13:21-22Exodus 19:18Deuteronomy 4:24Acts 2:3Revelation 1:14

☩Sacrificial Fire

The altar fire was first kindled from heaven and consumed the burnt sacrifice, rekindled at Solomon's Temple dedication. This ever-burning fire symbolized Jehovah's ever-continuing sacrificial worship. Fire from God signified acceptance of special sacrifices as with Abraham, David, Elijah, and Solomon. Offering by 'strange fire' not from the altar was punished severely, as with Nadab and Abihu.

Key verses:Leviticus 6:12-13Leviticus 9:24Leviticus 10:1-21 Kings 18:382 Chronicles 7:1

☩Judgment and Purification

Fire embodies God's righteous judgment and purification, testing and refining believers as gold. The wicked face 'eternal fire' and the 'lake of fire.' Fire accompanies the Parousia as the visible manifestation of Christ's return and will dissolve the present creation to prepare for new heavens and earth. John the Baptist declared Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, referring to both sanctification and judgment.

Key verses:Malachi 3:2-3Matthew 3:11-12Matthew 25:412 Thessalonians 1:7-82 Peter 3:10-12Revelation 20:14-15

Related Verses515 mentions

Leviticus· 69 verses

1:71:81:91:121:13

Ezekiel· 43 verses

1:41:131:275:25:4

Jeremiah· 40 verses

4:45:146:16:297:18

Isaiah· 36 verses

1:74:55:246:66:7

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Fire," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.George Morrish, "Fire," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  3. 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Fire," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
  4. 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Fire," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  5. 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Fire," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).