Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FIRE

Fire served many purposes throughout the ancient Near East. Domestically, fire was used for heat, light, and cooking. The refinement of metals necessitated fire. Light and smoke produced by fire were useful in establishing communications between neighboring towns. Fire was also used in a military context, proving effective both in sieges and open battles.

Fire is often used to execute divine judgment in the OT. God places a flaming sword to guard the road back to Eden’s tree of life (Gen. 3:24), and he destroys the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire (19:24). Similarly, the Egyptians experience a supernatural thunderstorm, which involves hail accompanied by fire (Exod. 9:23). Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu are consumed by fire in front of the tabernacle after they violate ritualistic protocol (Lev. 10:2), and Korah’s rebellion abruptly ends when Yahweh consumes 250 men in fire (Num. 16:35). Fire likewise consumes two Israelite commanders and their soldiers when Ahaziah initially sends for Elijah (2 Kgs. 1:10-16).

Fire also played a central role in ancient Near Eastern religions, as both animal and vegetable sacrifices were most often consumed by fire. For this purpose in ancient Israel, a perpetual fire was maintained on the altar of burnt offerings (Lev. 6:12[MT 5]). Fire additionally served as the primary medium for theophanies and other divine manifestations. Yahweh is represented in Abram’s dream in the form of a smoking fire pot and flaming torch (Gen. 15:17). Yahweh speaks to Moses out of a burning bush (Exod. 3:2) and descends to Mt. Sinai in fire (19:18). The wandering Israelites are nocturnally guided by a pillar of fire (Exod. 13:21). Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel when Yahweh produces fire for a sacrifice (1 Kgs. 18:23-40), and the absence of God in the fire at Horeb is explicitly remarkable (19:12). Elsewhere, Yahweh is described as emitting fire from his mouth (Ps. 18:8[9] = 2 Sam. 22:9). Yahweh’s presence in the tabernacle and temple is symbolized by the seven flames on the menorah. Also, fire often accompanies the description of angels in both the OT and NT (Judg. 6:21; 13:20; Dan. 10:6; Rev. 1:14; 2:18).

The etymology of the Hebrew word for fire (ʿēš) is uncertain. The word may derive from a Semitic root meaning “to be sociable and friendly,” or it may be onomatopoetic for the sound of fire.

Michael M. Homan

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FIRE

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)