30 Bible Verses About Fire
Many verses in the Bible are disussing the fire. By reading them, we know that the word fire is used in different places in the Bible with different meanings. Fire in the Bible means the sense of God’s presence. Apart from this, the word fire has also been used for trials through which God purifies people. A fire is the one into which God will enter His disobedient people on the Day of Resurrection.
There are many figures in the Bible to whom God spoke in the form of fire. Apart from this, there are also personalities in the Bible who were made aware of God’s presence through fire, among them Moses, David, Elijah, John, Abraham and Lot etc. are mentioned.
Fire as a Symbolism of Presence of God
Verse#1
There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Exodus 3:2
Explanation
This verse tells us that when God chose Moses to save the Israelites, He spoke to Moses while he was grazing in the desert of Sinai. There he saw a bush which was burning but it was not extinguished due to the burning. From this fire, God spoke to Moses and sent him on a new mission and this mission was to save the Israelites from the oppression of Pharaoh and get them out of Egypt.
Verse#2
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Exodus 13:21
Explanation
This verse describes how God helped Moses and the Israelites. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they were wandering in the desert, so God guided them in the morning with clouds and at night. He guided them through fire. God supported and guided Moses and the Israelites.
Verse#3
Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Exodus 19:18
Explanation
In this verse, it is also mentioned about the meeting of Moses with God and it is said that when Moses was on the mountain and there he saw a burning bush. God spoke to Moses in the form of fire. There was smoke everywhere and the mountains began to tremble because of God’s presence.
Verse#4
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Deuteronomy 4:24
Explanation
In this verse, God teaches the Israelites about oneness and says that the Israelites must worship one God. They had turned to idolatry. Therefore, God told them that God is a fire that consumes, which means that God is a punisher. He can punish people for their sins. Similarly, in this verse, God has said that He does not like anyone to worship anyone other than Him.
Verse#5
Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
1 Kings 18:24
Explanation
This verse tells us the bravery of Elijah and God’s help in the form of fire. There were many fake prophets. Elijah challenges them to burn sacrifice with fire that God should give from the sky. If God burns the sacrifice of fake prophets, then their God is real. If he burns my sacrifice then my God is real. They agreed then they prayed on the mountain but God didn’t send down any fire.
Verse#6
Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
1 Kings 18:38
Explanation
When Elijah prayed, God sent down fire from the sky, which burned the sacrifice as well as the wood and other things, after which it was proved that Elijah was a true prophet of God and his God was real. While the rest of the prophets who claim prophethood are liars, their God is also a liar.
Verse#7
Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Leviticus 9:24
Explanation
This verse mentions the sacrifice of Aaron and his son and God made this sacrifice in the form of fire. People were very happy to see this scene. It describes that fire is an expression of acceptance from God.
Verse#8
On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Numbers 9:15-16
Explanation
It is mentioned in this verse that when Israel was wandering in the desert, God guided them through fire. Clouds in the morning and fire at night guided and protected the Israelites.
Verse#9
But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Deuteronomy 9:3
Explanation
In this verse, God gives courage to the Israelites and tells them that God will destroy these people and the Israelites need not worry. This verse mentions the eating fire. This means that God will destroy those who stood against the Israelites.
Verse#10
The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn and consume his thorns and his briers.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Isaiah 10:17
Explanation
In this verse, God says to light the straight path of Israel and to destroy their enemies. In this, God said that his powers are like fire and this fire gives light and protection to his righteous servant while This fire punishes the disobedient.
Verse#11
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
Book
New-Testament
Reference
Acts 2:3
Explanation
In this verse, fire is described as the power of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit gave a message to the Prophets and gave them knowledge, there were pieces of fire on the heads of the Prophets and these pieces of fire were because of the Holy Spirit. In the verse, fire is likened to the power of the Holy Spirit.
Verse#12
For our “God is a consuming fire.”
Book
New-Testament
Reference
Hebrews 12:29
Explanation
The consuming fire in this verse refers to God’s command and power. With this command, God can destroy everything and this verse teaches that one should worship God and live according to His commands. If we do not do this, we must remember that God is a consuming fire, that is, He can destroy a person. Therefore, He must be feared.
Verse#13
The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
Book
New-Testament
Reference
Revelation 1:14
Explanation
In this verse the appearance of Jesus is described and it is said that his hair was white and he looked like an old man. There was fire in his eyes. This fire means light and this attribute belongs to God. Seeing light from the eyes of Jesus is proof that he had divine powers.
Verse#14
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
Book
New-Testament
Reference
Revelation 4:5
Explanation
In this verse God’s power is described and it is described that lightning was coming out of God’s crown and dew drops and fire were coming out. All these things also describe the attributes of God. The way the fire was coming out was proof of God’s glory and the dew drops showed His mercy. There were seven lamps on the throne of God and these lamps were the Holy Spirit.
Verse#15
John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Book
New-Testament
Reference
Luke 3:16
Explanation
In this verse it is mentioned that John who was baptizing people said that his power is only that he can baptize with water but a great person who baptizes with Holy Spirit and fire is Jesus.
Verse#16
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Book
New-Testament
Reference
Matthew 3:11
Explanation
This verse also talks about the greatness and divine powers of Jesus. John says he baptizes with water, but a great one is coming, whose shoes I am not qualified to carry. He will baptize you with fire and the Holy Spirit.
Verse#17
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Book
New-Testament
Reference
2 Thessalonians 1:8
Explanation
It is mentioned in this verse that those who disobey God, God will put them in the punishment of fire in the Hereafter and they will be punished there.
Verse#18
In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”
Book
New-Testament
Reference
Hebrews 1:7
Explanation
In this verse, it is said that angels were created by God from the flames of fire. It means that their existence is a light and this light has been poured into them by God with his spirit.
Verse#19
They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.
Book
New-Testament
Reference
Revelation 20:9
Explanation
It is stated in this verse that those who fight against the righteous servants of God, God will punish them in the form of fire and fire will destroy them.
Verse#20
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Book
New-Testament
Reference
1 Peter 1:7
Explanation
In this verse, the fire is described to test the believers in the world. God says that those people are very honorable whom God tries in the world, but they meet the tests of God.
Symbol of Purification is Fire
Verse#21
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Malachi 3:2-3
Explanation
This verse states that God tests His servants and sends hardships. People then walk in the path of God and overcome these trials. God has said about such people that God cleanses them through fire. Fire means trials. This verse illustrates how silver and gold are softened by fire and made perfect. This is how God cleans His servants through fire.
Verse#22
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Isaiah 48:10
Explanation
In this verse it is stated that God tests His servants to purify and refine them just as fire is used to refine gold and silver.
Verse#23
This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Zechariah 13:9
Explanation
It also gives us the message that God tests His servants through fire, i.e. the difficulties of the world, and whoever perseveres in these difficulties and works hard, then God calls them His righteous servant. Those people know their God by overcoming difficulties and have stronger faith in Him.
Verse#24
For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Psalm 66:10
Explanation
This verse tells us that God tests us to purify us. The example of purification is like silver getting cleaned through fire.
Verse#25
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Proverbs 17:3
Explanation
This verse states that God checks the hearts of men. He sends hardships upon them and checks whether these people persevere in difficulties or not. In this way, if those people have full faith in God in spite of difficulties, then God counts them among his good servants. An example of this is given in this verse, like the way fire is used to purify gold and silver. Similarly, God uses trials to test and refine people.
Verse#26
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Job 23:10
Explanation
In this verse, Job says that God sent many difficulties in his life, his health deteriorated, his children died and he became poor. Due to these trials, Job’s faith in God had increased more. Due to which he himself came to God like gold purified by fire.
Verse#27
I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Isaiah 1:25
Explanation
In this verse, God has said that those who have stubbornness in their hearts, God will destroy this evil through fire and those people will become pure and clean.
Verse#28
Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Jeremiah 9:7
Explanation
In this verse, God promises people that He will test people to purify their hearts and when those people remain steadfast despite these difficulties, God will shower His mercy on them. This verse states that if God sends hardships to test, He also bestows His mercy afterwards.
Verse#29
And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Psalm 12:6
Explanation
It is mentioned in this verse that God’s words are very clear meaning people do not need to doubt God’s words. What he says is right. God’s words are like silver that has been refined seven times.
Verse#30
Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you.
Book
Old-Testament
Reference
Ezekiel 22:18-20
Explanation
In this verse, God compares the Israelites to copper, tin, lead and iron and says that these people have become useless like them. God will gather them in Palestine and burn them with fire. Just as iron, copper, lead and tin are burnt in the furnace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
By reading these Bible verses, we know that fire is the power of God. The word fire is used in the Bible as a sign of God’s power, might, and many other signs. It is mentioned in the Bible that fire is the attribute and sign of God. God spoke to many prophets through fire. Fire also represents the glory of God. Fire is also used in the Bible in the sense that God purifies people through it. God says that He will throw His disobedient servants into the fire. From these things we can understand that the word fire is used in different meanings.
