2 Samuel 22:9
2 Samuel 22:9 in Multiple Translations
Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it.
There went up a smoke from his nose, and a fire of destruction from his mouth: coals were lighted by it.
Smoke came out of his nostrils, and fire from his mouth, burning coals that blazed before him.
Smoke went out at his nostrels, and consuming fire out of his mouth: coles were kindled thereat.
Gone up hath smoke by His nostrils. And fire from His mouth devoureth, Brands have been kindled by it.
Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
A smoke went up from his nostrils, and a devouring fire out of his mouth: coals were kindled by it.
It was as though smoke poured out of your nostrils and burning coals and fire that burns everything came out of your mouth.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 22:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 22:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עָלָ֤ה
עָשָׁן֙
בְּ/אַפּ֔/וֹ
וְ/אֵ֥שׁ
מִ/פִּ֖י/ו
תֹּאכֵ֑ל
גֶּחָלִ֖ים
בָּעֲר֥וּ
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ
עָלָ֤ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
עָשָׁן֙
ʻâshân
H6227
smoke
N-ms
בְּ/אַפּ֔/וֹ
ʼaph
H639
face
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וְ/אֵ֥שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Conj | N-cs
מִ/פִּ֖י/ו
peh
H6310
lip
Prep | N-ms | Suff
תֹּאכֵ֑ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
גֶּחָלִ֖ים
gechel
H1513
coal
N-cp
בָּעֲר֥וּ
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 22:9
עָלָ֤ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
עָשָׁן֙
ʻâshân
H6227
"smoke"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for smoke, whether literal or figurative, is used throughout the Bible. In Exodus, God appears to Moses in a cloud of smoke, while in other places it represents God's anger or judgment. Smoke can also symbolize prayer rising to God.
Definition: 1) smoke 1a) smoke 1b) in metaphor, simile 1c) smoke (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: smoke(-ing). See also: Genesis 15:17; Proverbs 10:26; Psalms 18:9.
בְּ/אַפּ֔/וֹ
ʼaph
H639
"face"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
וְ/אֵ֥שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Conj | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
מִ/פִּ֖י/ו
peh
H6310
"lip"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
תֹּאכֵ֑ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
גֶּחָלִ֖ים
gechel
H1513
"coal"
N-cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a burning coal or hot ember, often used to describe intense heat or purification. It appears in various contexts, including Isaiah and Ezekiel. The word symbolizes refinement and cleansing.
Definition: coal, burning coal, coals of fire, hot coals
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: (burning) coal. See also: Leviticus 16:12; Psalms 140:11; Psalms 18:9.
בָּעֲר֥וּ
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 22:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — David’s Song of Deliverance
7In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried out to my God. And from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears.
8Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the heavens trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.
9Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.
10He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet. 11He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 12:29 | “For our God is a consuming fire.” |
| 2 | Psalms 18:15 | The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. |
| 3 | Psalms 18:8 | Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth. |
| 4 | Exodus 24:17 | And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. |
| 5 | Exodus 19:18 | Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. |
| 6 | Psalms 97:3–5 | Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. |
| 7 | Habakkuk 3:5 | Plague went before Him, and fever followed in His steps. |
| 8 | Isaiah 30:27 | Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 32:22 | For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains. |
| 10 | Exodus 15:7–8 | You overthrew Your adversaries by Your great majesty. You unleashed Your burning wrath; it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea. |
2 Samuel 22:9 Summary
This verse describes God's powerful and intense anger, using vivid imagery to convey His holiness and justice. It reminds us that God is a God of great power and might, who will not tolerate sin and evil (as seen in Psalm 97:3 and Hebrews 12:29). Just as smoke and fire rose from God's nostrils and mouth, God's presence can bring both purification and judgment, depending on our response to Him. As we reflect on this verse, we can trust in God's power and faithfulness, knowing that He is always working for our good (Romans 8:28).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the image of smoke rising from God's nostrils and fire coming from His mouth mean?
This imagery conveys God's intense anger and judgment, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 18:8 and Isaiah 30:27, where God's wrath is likened to a consuming fire.
Is this verse describing a literal, physical phenomenon or a poetic representation of God's power?
While the language is certainly vivid and dramatic, it is likely a poetic representation of God's power and anger, as described in Exodus 24:17 and Deuteronomy 4:24, where God's presence is associated with fire and smoke.
How does this verse relate to the surrounding context of David's song of praise?
This verse is part of David's description of God's deliverance and rescue, emphasizing God's mighty power and intervention on his behalf, as seen in 2 Samuel 22:7 and 2 Samuel 22:10.
What does this verse teach us about God's character?
This verse highlights God's holiness, justice, and power, reminding us that He is a God who takes sin seriously and will not tolerate evil, as seen in verses like Romans 1:18 and Revelation 6:16-17.
Reflection Questions
- How does the image of smoke and fire from God's mouth and nostrils make you feel, and what does it reveal about God's character?
- In what ways have you experienced God's deliverance and rescue in your life, and how can you praise Him for His power and faithfulness?
- What are some areas in your life where you need to trust in God's power and provision, and how can you apply the truths of this verse to those situations?
- How does this verse challenge or comfort you, and what are some ways you can apply its teachings to your daily life?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 22:9
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. [See comments on Psalms 18:8].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 22:9
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils. Here is a further expansion of the idea expressed in the preceding verse.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 22:9
9. Smoke arose in his nostril,and fire from his mouth did devour:hot coals came burning from him.The startling boldness of the language will be intelligible if the distinctive character of Hebrew symbolism is borne in mind. It is no “gross anthropomorphism,” for the Psalmist did not intend that the mind’s eye should clothe his figure in a concrete form. His aim is vividly to express the manifestation of the wrath of God, and he does so in figures which are intended to remain as purely mental conceptions, not to be realised as though God appeared in any visible shape. See some excellent remarks in Archbishop Trench’s Comm. on the Epistles to the Seven Churches, p. 43. a smoke] The outward sign of the pent-up fires of wrath. So anger is said to smoke (Psalms 74:1; Psalms 80:4 marg.). This bold figure is suggested by the panting and snorting of an angry animal. Cp. Job 41:20; in illustration of which Mr Cox quotes from Bertram’s Travels in Carolina: “I perceived a crocodile rush from a small lake … Thick smoke came with a thundering noise from his nostrils.” Martial speaks of fumantem nasum ursi “the smoking nostril of an angry bear” (Epigr. vi. 64. 28). fire] Compare again Job’s description of Leviathan (Job 41:19-21). Fire is the constant emblem of the consuming wrath of God.
See Deuteronomy 32:22; Psalms 97:3; Hebrews 12:29. coals] The fiery messengers of vengeance. Cp. Psalms 140:10.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:9
9. Smoke through his nostrils — Expressive of the violent snortings, or bursts of wrath, as of the enraged war-horse. Hot coals glowed — Flamed out in glowing brightness from Him as he sped on his path of vengeance.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 22:9
| Sermon | Description | |
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Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards | The video is a summary of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards titled "Their Foot Shall Slide in Due Time" based on Deuteronomy 32:35. Edwards emphasizes the wrath of God and the impending |
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Getting Alone - Abandonment (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of forgetting and never doing certain things. He criticizes the idea that preaching alone can reach the nations, pointing out |
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Washed With Fire by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a woman who worked in Africa and lived in a humble bamboo house. Despite facing potential dangers in the jungle, she had faith and |
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Alone - Abandonment by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for a revival in the church. He describes the current state of the church as weak and powerless, comparing it to people in Africa l |
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Either Pentecost or Holocaust by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of God leading the children of Israel through the wilderness with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. He |
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John Baptist , the Fire of God - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill passionately preaches about John the Baptist as a fiery messenger of God, emphasizing the need for personal revival and the baptism of the Holy Spirit with fire. |
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Powerful Convicting Sermon - Hell Fire by Charles Lawson | This sermon emphasizes the reality of hell as described in Matthew chapter 5, focusing on the urgency of understanding its existence and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ |