Smoke
“Smoke”
Summary
Vapor rising from burning substances, used figuratively in Scripture for divine manifestations, judgment, and transience.
☩Symbolic Uses
Smoke represents divine jealousy and anger in the Psalms, and the glory of God's holiness in Isaiah's vision of the Lord's throne and in Revelation's heavenly temple. It symbolizes the dark and mysterious side of God's self-manifestation—the reaction of His holiness against sin. The 'pillars of smoke' in Joel's prophecy may refer to columns of sand and dust raised by local whirlwinds during the sirocco.
☩Apocalyptic Imagery
In Revelation, smoke issues from the opened pit of the abyss, darkening sun and air like smoke from a great furnace, resolving into demons in the form of locusts. The smoke of torment of those who worship the beast rises forever, and the smoke of Babylon's burning is seen from afar by kings and mariners.
Related Verses40 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Smoke," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Smoke," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Smoke," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Smoke," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Smoke," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).