Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Kevin Riley <klriley AT alphalink.com.au>]

Yes, but none of that seems to fit with Is. 44.  The point is that the 
same piece of wood that is made into an idol is also used for making a 
fire and cooking.  I just don't see worshipping fire in the text.

Kevin Riley

On 1/02/2011 10:47 AM, Hedrick Gary wrote:
> 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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