Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Hedrick Gary <GaryH AT cjfm.org>]

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