Fire
Y O U N G A P E O P L E ’ S A D I C T I O N A R YA O FA S C R I P T U R A L • & • R E L I G I O U S AT E R M S
The word fire is mentioned 510 times in the KJV Bible! It is often used symbolically, rather
than the normal use of fire burning or combustion. The following verses are examples of
some of the more common symbolic ways in which fire is used.
God’righteous judgment: “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven” (Ge 19:24). “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha,
and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going
after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire”
(Jude 7). “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup” (Psa.11:6).
God’s Divine Majesty displayed: “And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel” (Exo.24:17).
God’s acceptance of worship: “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire
came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the
glory of the LORD filled the house” (2 Chron.7:1).
God’s divine power by His Word: “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like
a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer.23:29).
God’s divine glory: “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did
sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his
throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire” (Dan.7:9. “His body also
was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire,
and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the
voice of a multitude” (Dan.10:6.
God’s purifying of His loved earthly people: “And I will bring the third part through the
fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall
call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The
LORD is my God” (Zec.13:9).
God’s Divine Holy Spirit: “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:3).
God’s Divine testing of faith’s reality: “That the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1Pet.1:7)
God’s Divine, pure blessing: “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest
be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do
not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (Rev.3:18).