Fire

Domestic uses of fire

Is 50:11; Je 36:22; Mt 5:15; Mk 14:67; Jn 21:9; Ac 28:2

Cremation

1 Samuel 31:12 NKJV

all the valiant men arose and traveled all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there.

See also Jos 7:25; Am 6:10

Fire as an instrument of punishment

Leviticus 20:14 NKJV

If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness among you.

See also Ge 38:24; Le 20:14; Le 21:9; Jdg 9:49; Da 3:6

Fire as an instrument of divine judgment

In general terms

2 Peter 3:10 NKJV

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

See also Ge 19:24; Le 10:2; Nu 11:1; Nu 16:35; 2 Th 1:7–8

Eternal fire

Revelation 20:10 NKJV

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

See also Is 33:14; Is 66:24; Mt 3:12; Mt 18:8; Mt 25:41; Re 14:10–11

Fire used in worship

Numbers 28:2 NKJV

“Command the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time.’

See also Le 24:7; 1 Sa 7:9; 2 Ch 13:11; Ezr 3:3

Prayers answered by fire

1 Chronicles 21:26 NKJV

And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the Lord; and He answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering.

See also 1 Ki 18:38; 2 Ki 1:10; 2 Ch 7:1

Symbolic significance of fire

God’s presence and power

Ex 3:2; Ac 2:3

See also Ex 13:21; Ex 19:18; Le 9:24; Dt 4:36; Jdg 6:21; Jdg 13:20; 2 Ki 2:11; Ps 50:3; Ps 97:3; Je 23:29

Judgment

Malachi 4:1 NKJV

“For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.

See also Dt 4:24; Is 66:15–16; Je 5:14; Je 48:45; Eze 22:20; Am 1:4; 1 Co 3:15

Purification or refinement

1 Peter 1:7 NKJV

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

See also Nu 31:23; Is 48:10; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:2; 1 Co 3:13; Re 3:18

Zeal

John 2:17 NKJV

Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

See also Ps 69:9; Je 20:9; Lk 24:32; 2 Ti 1:6

The power to destroy

James 3:6 NKJV

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

See also Pr 6:27–29; Pr 16:27; Is 9:18; Is 43:2