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  • From: Hedrick Gary <GaryH AT cjfm.org>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Isaiah 44:15 idol of fire god?
  • Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:47:54 -0600

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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