[b-hebrew] Isaiah 44:15 idol of fire god?

Hedrick Gary GaryH at cjfm.org
Mon Jan 31 18:47:54 EST 2011


Let's not forget those interesting passages in the Hebrew Bible where the GOD of Israel appears as "fire." I'm thinking, for instance, of the burning bush (Ex. 3:2) and the pillar of fire that guided them by night in the wilderness wanderings (13:21). There are other instances, as well.

Gary Hedrick
San Antonio, Texas USA

Ex. 3:2 וירא מלאך יהוה אליו בלבת־אש מתוך הסנה וירא והנה הסנה בער באש והסנה איננו אכל׃
13:21 ויהוה הלך לפניהם יומם בעמוד ענן לנחתם הדרך ולילה בעמוד אש להאיר להם ללכת יומם ולילה׃
 
On Jan 31, 2011, at 5:37 PM, Kevin Riley wrote:

> Worshipping God in the form of fire is quite old.  It has long been found among Indo-European peoples.  But, I don't see that in the Hebrew text.
> 
> Kevin Riley
> 
> On 1/02/2011 10:02 AM, kenneth greifer wrote:
>> I was wondering if Isaiah 44:15 might say "...he (the idol maker) will make a god and he will worship (he will bow), he makes (it) an idol and bows to them (lamo) (or to it)." It also says he will use the wood to make a fire to warm himself and to cook. Maybe the quote literally means he will make a god and an idol and bow to them both if the god is the fire. I heard that in those times some people worshiped fire as a god. I don't know if they believed in a god in charge of fire or if they thought fire itself was a god. It's a wild guess, but who knows. It could explain the word "to them" (lamo). (As usual, I don't actually expect anyone to answer, but if you do, please don't do it off-list. Thank you.)
>> 
>> Kenneth Greifer  



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