Encyclopedia entry
Fire
Disambiguation
The source enumerates 5 distinct subjects under Fire. Jump to one below, or read in order.
- 1.For sacred purposes.
- 2.For domestic purposes, such as baking, cooking, warmth, etc.
- 3.Punishment of death by fire was inflicted on such as were guilty of certain forms…
- 4.In war, fire was used in the destruction of cities, as Jericho (Josh.
- 5.Figuratively, fire is a symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power (Ex.
Fire (1)
#For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).
Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2; Num. 3:4).
The victims slain for sin offerings were afterwards consumed by fire outside the camp (Lev. 4:12, 21; 6:30; 16:27; Heb. 13:11).
Fire (2)
#For domestic purposes, such as baking, cooking, warmth, etc. (Jer. 36:22; Mark 14:54; John 18:18). But on Sabbath no fire for any domestic purpose was to be kindled (Ex. 35:3; Num. 15:32-36).
Fire (3)
#Punishment of death by fire was inflicted on such as were guilty of certain forms of unchastity and incest (Lev. 20:14; 21:9). The burning of captives in war was not unknown among the Jews (2 Sam. 12:31; Jer. 29:22). The bodies of infamous persons who were executed were also sometimes burned (Josh. 7:25; 2 Kings 23:16).
Fire (4)
#In war, fire was used in the destruction of cities, as Jericho (Josh. 6:24), Ai (8:19), Hazor (11:11), Laish (Judg. 18:27), etc. The war-chariots of the Canaanites were burnt (Josh. 11:6, 9, 13). The Israelites burned the images (2 Kings 10:26; R.V., “pillars”) of the house of Baal. These objects of worship seem to have been of the nature of obelisks, and were sometimes evidently made of wood.
Torches were sometimes carried by the soldiers in battle (Judg. 7:16).
Fire (5)
#Figuratively, fire is a symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power (Ex. 14:19; Num. 11:1, 3; Judg. 13:20; 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10, 12; 2:11; Isa. 6:4; Ezek. 1:4; Rev. 1:14, etc.).
God’s word is also likened unto fire (Jer. 23:29). It is referred to as an emblem of severe trials or misfortunes (Zech. 12:6; Luke 12:49; 1 Cor. 3:13, 15; 1 Pet. 1:7), and of eternal punishment (Matt. 5:22; Mark 9:44; Rev. 14:10; 21:8).
The influence of the Holy Ghost is likened unto fire (Matt. 3:11). His descent was denoted by the appearance of tongues as of fire (Acts 2:3).
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called “strange fire,” and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished with death by fire from God. (Leviticus 10:1,2; Numbers 3:4; 26:61)
In the Bible
524
Verses where Fire is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 14:12
There the Philistines abandoned their gods, and David ordered that they be burned in the fire.
- 1 Chronicles 21:26
And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called upon the LORD, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.
- 1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
- 1 Corinthians 3:15
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.
- 1 Kings 9:16
Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife.
- 1 Kings 16:18
When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he entered the citadel of the royal palace and burned it down upon himself. So he died
+518 more verses naming Fire.
Scripture on Fire
291
See all 291 +−
- Leviticus 23Numbers 28Deuteronomy 5Exodus 29Leviticus 3Leviticus 7Numbers 15Deuteronomy 4Numbers 161 Kings 18Daniel 3Amos 1Leviticus 8Numbers 11Deuteronomy 9Joshua 11Judges 92 Kings 1Isaiah 30Jeremiah 36Ezekiel 1Ezekiel 15Ezekiel 24Matthew 3Revelation 20Exodus 12Leviticus 4Leviticus 13Leviticus 16Leviticus 21Numbers 3Numbers 29Deuteronomy 18Joshua 7Judges 151 Samuel 302 Kings 232 Chronicles 7Nehemiah 2Psalms 18Psalms 78Isaiah 9Isaiah 33Isaiah 44Isaiah 66Jeremiah 21Jeremiah 38Ezekiel 10Ezekiel 20Ezekiel 22Ezekiel 23Ezekiel 28Ezekiel 30Ezekiel 39Daniel 7Joel 2Matthew 13Luke 3Acts 2Acts 281 Corinthians 32 Peter 3Revelation 8Revelation 14Revelation 18Genesis 22Exodus 3Exodus 9Exodus 13Exodus 14Exodus 32Exodus 35Leviticus 9Leviticus 20Leviticus 22Leviticus 24Numbers 9Numbers 18Numbers 26Numbers 31Deuteronomy 7Deuteronomy 12Joshua 6Joshua 8Judges 182 Samuel 142 Samuel 222 Kings 17Nehemiah 9Job 18Psalms 105Proverbs 26Isaiah 4Isaiah 10Isaiah 27Isaiah 64Jeremiah 6Jeremiah 7Jeremiah 17Jeremiah 23Jeremiah 29Jeremiah 32Jeremiah 34Jeremiah 37Jeremiah 43Jeremiah 49Jeremiah 51Lamentations 2Ezekiel 5Ezekiel 16Ezekiel 19Ezekiel 21Ezekiel 38Hosea 7Joel 1Amos 2Micah 1Nahum 3Zechariah 12Matthew 5Matthew 18Mark 14Luke 12Luke 22John 18Hebrews 12James 31 Peter 1Jude 1Revelation 1Revelation 9Revelation 19Genesis 8Genesis 19Exodus 19Exodus 22Exodus 24Exodus 30Exodus 40Leviticus 5Leviticus 18Leviticus 19Numbers 6Numbers 14Numbers 21Deuteronomy 1Deuteronomy 10Deuteronomy 13Deuteronomy 32Deuteronomy 33Joshua 13Judges 1Judges 6Judges 7Judges 12Judges 13Judges 14Judges 16Judges 201 Samuel 22 Samuel 122 Samuel 231 Kings 91 Kings 161 Kings 192 Kings 22 Kings 62 Kings 82 Kings 102 Kings 162 Kings 192 Kings 212 Kings 251 Chronicles 141 Chronicles 212 Chronicles 162 Chronicles 212 Chronicles 282 Chronicles 332 Chronicles 352 Chronicles 36Nehemiah 1Job 1Job 15Job 20Job 22Job 28Job 31Job 41Psalms 7Psalms 11Psalms 21Psalms 29Psalms 39Psalms 46Psalms 50Psalms 57Psalms 66Psalms 68Psalms 74Psalms 79Psalms 80Psalms 83Psalms 89Psalms 97Psalms 104Psalms 106Psalms 118Psalms 140Psalms 148Proverbs 6Proverbs 16Proverbs 25Proverbs 30Song of Solomon 8Isaiah 1Isaiah 5Isaiah 6Isaiah 26Isaiah 29Isaiah 31Isaiah 37Isaiah 42Isaiah 43Isaiah 47Isaiah 50Isaiah 54Isaiah 65Jeremiah 4Jeremiah 5Jeremiah 11Jeremiah 15Jeremiah 19Jeremiah 20Jeremiah 22Jeremiah 39Jeremiah 48Jeremiah 50Jeremiah 52Lamentations 1Lamentations 4Ezekiel 8Ezekiel 36Daniel 10Hosea 8Amos 5Amos 7Obadiah 1Nahum 1Nahum 2Habakkuk 2Zephaniah 1Zephaniah 3Zechariah 2Zechariah 3Zechariah 9Zechariah 11Zechariah 13Malachi 1Malachi 3Matthew 7Matthew 17Matthew 25Luke 9Luke 16Luke 17John 15John 21Acts 7Romans 122 Thessalonians 1Hebrews 1Hebrews 10Hebrews 11Hebrews 13James 5Revelation 2Revelation 3Revelation 4Revelation 10Revelation 11Revelation 13Revelation 15Revelation 16Revelation 17Revelation 21
Entries that reference Fire
3
Fire references
26
Voices on Fire
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.