Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, burns and fire are often symbolic of God's presence, judgment, purification, and the trials faced by believers. The imagery of fire and burning is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, serving both literal and metaphorical purposes.
Divine Presence and RevelationFire is frequently associated with the presence of God. In
Exodus 3:2, Moses encounters the Angel of the Lord in a burning bush that is not consumed by the flames: "And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not consumed." This miraculous event signifies God's holy presence and His call to Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
Similarly, in
Exodus 19:18, Mount Sinai is enveloped in smoke because the Lord descends upon it in fire: "Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently." Here, fire represents God's majesty and the awe-inspiring nature of His revelation to His people.
Judgment and PunishmentFire is also a symbol of divine judgment and punishment. In
Genesis 19:24, the Lord rains down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah as a judgment for their wickedness: "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens." This event underscores the severity of God's judgment against sin and immorality.
The New Testament continues this theme, with fire representing the final judgment. In
Revelation 20:14-15, the lake of fire is described as the second death for those not found in the Book of Life: "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
Purification and RefinementFire is also used metaphorically to describe the process of purification and refinement. In
Malachi 3:2-3, the coming of the Lord is likened to a refiner's fire: "But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver." This passage illustrates how God's refining fire purifies His people, removing impurities and preparing them for His service.
The Apostle Peter echoes this concept in
1 Peter 1:6-7, where he speaks of trials as a means of refining faith: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Trials and SufferingBelievers are often likened to those who pass through fire, symbolizing trials and suffering. In
Isaiah 43:2, God promises His presence and protection through such trials: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." This assurance highlights God's faithfulness and protection during times of hardship.
ConclusionThe imagery of burns and fire in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, judgment, and the transformative process of purification. Whether as a symbol of divine presence or a metaphor for trials, fire underscores the profound and multifaceted nature of God's interaction with His creation.
Greek
2545. kaio -- to kindle, burn... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to kindle, burn NASB Word Usage blazing (1),
burned (2), burning (5),
burns (2), light (1), lit (1). burn, light.
...Strong's Hebrew
3857. lahat -- to blaze up, flame... 3856, 3857. lahat. 3858 . to blaze up, flame. Transliteration: lahat Phonetic
Spelling: (law-hat') Short Definition:
burns. Word Origin a prim.
...2734. charah -- to burn or be kindled with anger
... Word Usage angered (1), angry (18), angry* (5), became (1), became angry (4), became
furious (1), became...angry (3), burn (5), burned (29),burns (1), compete...
4348. mikvah -- a burnt spot, scar of a burn
... Word Origin from kavah Definition a burnt spot, scar of a burn NASB Word Usage burn
(5). thatburns, burning. From kavah; a burn -- that burneth, burning....
2142. zakar -- remember
... Definition remember NASB Word Usage been mindful (1), boast (1), bring my to
remembrance (1), bringing to mind (1), brings to remembrance (1),burns (1), call...
1197a. baar -- to burn, consume
... root Definition to burn, consume NASB Word Usage blazed (1), burn (15), burned
(12), burning (13),burns (3), clean sweep (1), consume (1), consumed (2...
6999. qatar -- to make sacrifices smoke
... burn incense (17), burn sacrifices (3), burned (5), burned incense (17), burned
sacrifices (3), burning incense (4), burning sacrifices (5),burns incense (1...
3344. yaqad -- to be kindled, to burn
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be kindled, to burn NASB Word Usage
burn (2), burning (3),burns (2), hearth (1), kindled (1)....
8313. saraph -- to burn
... root Definition to burn NASB Word Usage brought (1), burn (35), burn it as he burned
(1), burned (70),burns (5), completely burned (1), made (1), undertaker (1...
3341. yatsath -- to kindle, burn
... root Definition to kindle, burn NASB Word Usage aflame (1), burn (1), burned (3),
burned down (1),burns (2), kindle (4), kindled (2), set (12), set on fire (1...
Library
Burns
...Burns.Burns, James Drummond, a Scotch Presbyterian divine, was born in Edinburgh
February 18, 1823. He was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh....
R.Burns
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCXXXIV R.Burns. O Thou unknown, Almighty
Cause Of all my hope and fear! In Whose dread presence, ere an hour,....
With the Rev. WilliamBurns
... CHAPTER XI WITH THE REV. WILLIAMBURNS.... The following letter was written by Mr.
Burns to his mother at home in Scotland about this time:"....
Chapter twenty-eight
... It was the afternoon of that morning whenBurns was installed in his new position
as assistant janitor that he was cleaning off the front steps of the...
Church Union.
... Rev. WCBurns arrived in July, 1851. Rev. James Johnston arrived in Dec.,
1853. Dr. Young and Mr.Burns left Amoy in August, 1854....
Called to Swatow
... I had never had such a spiritual father as Mr.Burns; I had never known such holy,
happy fellowship; and I said to myself that it could not be GOD'S will that...
An Example Showing How one is Hindered in this Exercise
... He enters in truth into the dog-days, and the splendour of the Divine raysburns
so fiercely and so hotly from above, and the heart wounded by love is so...
Faith and Works
... Now, when such anguish "burns," and Christ still holds his place as foundation in
the heart"that is, if nothing is preferred to him and if the man whose...
Bibliography
... Literally translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province (second and revised
edition), London (Burns, Oates & Benziger) 1912-1936; (Burns, Oates &...
To Monna Agnese who was the Wife of Messer Orso Malavolti
... valiant spirit, and one feels in her keen and solemn meditations that she had herself
known the bitter and corroding power of the sin "thatburns and does not...
Thesaurus
Burns (34 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Burns (34 Occurrences).
... These two were thrown alive into
the lake of fire that
burns with sulfur. (WEB DBY NAS RSV).
...Devours (26 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in my anger,Burns to the lowest Sheol,
Devours the earth with its increase, and sets the foundations of the mountains...
Warms (3 Occurrences)
... Yes, heburns it, and bakes bread.... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 44:16 Heburns
part of it in the fire. With part of it, he eats meat....
Fiery (47 Occurrences)
... worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire
thatburns with sulfur. (See NIV). Revelation 21:8 But for...
Consumes (21 Occurrences)
... me. (WEB NIV). Psalms 83:14 As the fire thatburns the forest, as the flame
that sets the mountains on fire, (See RSV NIV). Psalms...
Sulfur (14 Occurrences)
... who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire
thatburns with sulfur. (WEB NIV). Revelation 20:10 The...
Breaks (35 Occurrences)
... Psalms 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and
shatters the spear. Heburns the chariots in the fire. (WEB NAS RSV NIV)....
Warm (25 Occurrences)
... Yes, heburns it, and bakes bread.... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT
NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 44:16 Heburns part of it in the fire....
Bathe (35 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 16:28 He whoburns them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his
flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp....
Sheol (64 Occurrences)
... Abaddon hath no covering" (Job 26:6). "If I make my bed in Sheol," says the Psalmist,
"behold thou art there" (Psalm 139:8). The wrath of Yahwehburns unto the...
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