Psalms 18:12 — Word Study
WLCמִנֹּ֗גַהּ נֶ֫גְדּ֥וֹ עָבָ֥יו עָבְר֑וּ בָּ֝רָ֗ד וְגַֽחֲלֵי־ אֵֽשׁ׃
BSAHis cloudsʻâb [thick, dark clouds, a sign of God's power]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מִנֹּ֗גַהּ | from [the] brightness | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| נֶ֫גְדּ֥וֹ | before him | Suffix |
| עָבָ֥יו | dark clouds his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| עָבְר֑וּ | they passed on | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| בָּ֝רָ֗ד | hail | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְגַֽחֲלֵי־ | and coals of | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct |
| אֵֽשׁ׃ | fire | Noun common, both singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced— hailstones and coals of fire. |
| KJV | At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. |
| ASV | At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, Hailstones and coals of fire. |
| YLT | From the brightness over-against Him His thick clouds have passed on, Hail and coals of fire. |
| WEB | At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. |
| BBE | Before his shining light his dark clouds went past, raining ice and fire. |
The translations agree on the imagery of brightness and clouds, with no significant differences noted.
The structure presents a main clause with several subordinate phrases that elaborate on the source and effects of God's brightness.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbסֻכָּה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 18:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Power Displayedgenerated
Psalm 18:12 illustrates the majesty of God as He reveals Himself through nature's forces. The psalmist emphasizes that from the brightness of God's presence, dark clouds emerge, signifying His power and judgment. This imagery connects to other passages that describe God's might, such as Psalm 97:3–4 and Habakkuk 3:4–5, where natural elements reflect divine actions.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 97:3–4 | Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. |
| 2 | Habakkuk 3:4–5 | His radiance was like the sunlight; rays flashed from His hand, where His power is hidden. |
| 3 | Matthew 17:2–5 | There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. |
| 4 | Exodus 9:23–24 | So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt. |
| 5 | Joshua 10:11 | As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מִנֹּ֗גַהּ, mi.No.gahgenerated
The word נֹ֫גַהּ (nogahh) means brightness and is derived from a root indicating brilliancy. It encompasses both literal and figurative senses of light, often symbolizing the divine presence.
In this verse, it highlights the overwhelming radiance that accompanies God's presence, contrasting with the dark clouds that signify His power. The parsing as a feminine singular noun suggests a specific brightness that is both personal and powerful.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered similarly across various translations, including the Berean Standard Bible, KJV, and ASV, all emphasizing the brightness of God's presence.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb עָבְר֑וּ (they passed on) governs the structure, with multiple phrases describing what proceeded from God's brightness. The prepositional phrases indicate the source of the clouds and the elements that follow.
The arrangement emphasizes the transition from God's radiant presence to the dark clouds and destructive forces, illustrating a powerful movement in the imagery.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מִנֹּ֗גַהּ as σκότος (skotos), meaning darkness. This choice suggests an interpretation that contrasts the brightness of God's presence with the darkness that envelops it, highlighting the duality of divine manifestation.
This rendering indicates a theological emphasis on God's power being both illuminating and fearsome, a theme consistent with the broader biblical narrative.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 18:12 describes how God's brightness leads to the emergence of dark clouds, which symbolize His power. This verse uses vivid imagery to convey God's presence through hailstones and burning coals, representing divine judgment.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The brightness represents God's glory and majesty, indicating His divine nature and power as seen in various biblical texts.
Dark clouds symbolize God's power and can signify His judgment or protection, often appearing in contexts of divine intervention.
Hailstones and coals of fire symbolize God's judgment and purification, reflecting the destructive power that can accompany His presence.
This verse connects to themes of divine power and judgment found throughout Scripture, such as in Exodus 9:23–24 and Joshua 10:11, where natural phenomena are used to illustrate God's might.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I see God's presence manifested in my life through natural events?
- What does the imagery of darkness and brightness teach me about God's nature?
- In what ways can I recognize God's power in the world around me?
- How can I respond to the understanding of God's judgment as depicted in this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, highlighting God's power and the significance of His presence in the context of divine judgment.
He came down and then ascended with the cherubim after he thundered in the heaven.… Against the Egyptian sorcerers the Lord who flies on the cherubim sends forth hailstones and coals of fire.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
"In respect of the brightness in His sight" [Psalms 18:12]: in comparison with the brightness, which is in the sight of His manifestation.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 18:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAt the brightness [that was] before him, The lightning that came out of the thick clouds; which may denote, either the coming of Christ to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, which was swift and
Read John Gill on Psalms 18 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAt the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 18 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAt his glorious and powerful appearance his thick clouds passed away, i.e. vanished, being dissolved into showers of hail-stones, &c.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 18 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 18:12 At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire.Ver. 12. At the brightness that was before him, &c.] i.e. At his bright presence, his thick clouds (wherein he was enveloped) passed, or did cleave, as it were, in sunder; whence came hailstones mixed with coals of fire, or lightnings out of the clouds; which God maketh at once airy seas and airy furnaces; fetching fire out of the midst of water, and hard stone out of the midst of thin vapours.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 18 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) At the brightness.—This is obscure. Literally, From the brightness before him his clouds passed through (Heb., avar—LXX., διῆλθον; Vulg., transierunt) hail and fiery coals. In Samuel it is “From the brightness before him flamed fiery coals,” which is the description we should expect, and, doubtless, gives the sense we are to attach to our text. Through the dark curtain of clouds the lightnings dart like emanations from the Divine brightness which they hide. The difficulty arises from the position of avaiv, “his clouds,” which looks like a subject rather than an object to avrϋ. It has been conjectured, from comparison with Samuel, that the word has been inserted through error, from its…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 18 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 12. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed] The word נגה nogah signifies the lightning. This goes before him: the flash is seen before the thunder is heard, and before the rain descends; and then the thick cloud passes. Its contents are precipitated on the earth, and the cloud is entirely dissipated. Hail-stones and coals of fire.] This was the storm that followed the flash and the peal; for it is immediately added-
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 18 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. The best rendering of this obscure verse seems to be: From the brightness before him there passed through his thick clouds hailstones and coals of fire. The flashes of lightning, accompanied by hail (Exodus 9:23-24), are as it were rays of the “unapproachable light” in which He dwells, piercing through the dense clouds which conceal Him. The text in 2 Sam. which has only, “at the brightness before him coals of fire were kindled,” is evidently mutilated.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 18 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAt the brightness that was before him - From the flash - the play of the lightnings that seemed to go before him. His thick clouds passed - or, vanished. They seemed to pass away.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 18 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced— hailstones and coals of fire.
At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire.
From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced—hailstones and coals of fire.
From the brightness in front of him came hail and fiery coals.
Tyndale line
At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, Hailstones and coals of fire.
At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire.
At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
At the brightnes of his presence his clouds passed, haylestones and coles of fire.
Strictly literal
From the brightness before him his thick clouds passed forth: hail and coals of fire.
From the brightness over-against Him His thick clouds have passed on, Hail and coals of fire.
From the brightness before Him His thick clouds have passed on, || Hail and coals of fire.
(18:13) From the brightness before him his thick clouds passed away, [with] hail-stones and coals of fire.
Hailstones and coals of fire fell from the lightning before him.
From the Latin
For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward.
Simplified
Hailstones and burning coals flew out from his brightness, passing through his thick clouds.
Before his shining light his dark clouds went past, raining ice and fire.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text provides a clear reading of the verse, while the Septuagint aligns closely with it, differing only in the rendering of מִנֹּ֗גַהּ. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments that partially match the MT but require editorial restoration, indicating some textual variations.
מִנֹּ֗גַהּ נֶ֫גְדּ֥וֹ עָבָ֥יו עָבְר֑וּ בָּ֝רָ֗ד וְגַֽחֲלֵי־ אֵֽשׁ׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[ישת] [חשך] [סתר׳ו] [סביבותי׳ו] סכת׳ו [חשכת] [מים] [עבי] [שחקים]
1 word on the leather — 8 supplied entire by an editor.
ישת חשך סתר׳ו סביבותי׳ו [סכת׳ו] חשכת מים עבי [שחקים]
nothing on the leather here — 7 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.
[ישת] [חושך] [סתר׳ו] [סביבותי׳ו] [סוכת׳ו] חשכות מים [עבי] [שחקים]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 7 supplied entire by an editor.
[ישת] חשך סתר׳ו סביבותי׳ו [סכת׳ו] [חשכת] [מים] [עבי] [שחקים]
nothing on the leather here — 3 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 18:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נֹ֫גַהּ (nogahh) means brightness and is derived from a related term indicating brilliancy. It covers both literal and figurative senses of light and shining. The word is noted in the context of brightness in various texts, including an Aramaic equivalent that refers to daylight.
נֹ֫גַהּ n.f. brightness
base
H5051 נֹ֫גַהּ brightness
5051 nogahh no'-gah
from 5050; brilliancy (literally or
figuratively):--bright(-ness), light, (clear) shining.
see HEBREW for 05050
נֹ֫גַהּ (no.gah) — brightness.
brightness
Aramaic equivalent: no.gah (נֹ֫גַהּ "daylight" H5053)
HR/Ncfsa — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
brit'-nes: Used by the King James Version in Heb 1:3 for "effulgence of his glory," as in the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version. The Greek apaugasma may mean either "reflection" or "radiation." Patristic usage favors the latter; compare The Wisdom of Solomon 7:26; also the Nicene Creed: "Light of Light," i.e. the Son not only manifests the Father, but is of the same substance. "What emanates from light, must have the nature of light" (Delitzsch).
נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.
נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
base
H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
5048 neged neh'-ghed
from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a
counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with
preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,
X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,
sight, X to view.
see HEBREW for 05046
נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.
subst
1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of
adv
2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of
3) in front of oneself, straightforward
4) before your face, in your view or purpose
with prep
5) what is in front of, corresponding to
6) in front of, before
7) in the sight or presence of
8) parallel to
9) over, for
10) in front, opposite
11) at a distance
prep
12) from the front of, away from
13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from
14) from before, in front of
15) as far as the front of
Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
HAcmsc/Sp3ms — SuffixHAcmsc/Sp3ms
עָב (‘ab) refers to a dark cloud or cloud mass, and can also mean a thicket. The word is derived from a root meaning to envelop or cover, suggesting density or darkness. It appears in contexts related to clouds and thick vegetation, as noted in 2 Chronicles 4:17.
עָב 53 n.m. dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket
base
H5645 עָב dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket
5645 `ab awb
(masculine and feminine); from 5743; properly, an envelope,
i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chron. 4:17); specifically, a
(scud) cloud; also a copse:--clay, (thick) cloud, X thick,
thicket. Compare 5672.
see HEBREW for 05743
see HEBREW for 05672
עָב (av) — cloud.
1) darkness, cloud, thicket
1a) dark cloud
1b) cloud mass
1c) thicket (as refuge)
N-cp — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word עָבַר (abar) is a versatile verb meaning to pass over, through, or by, and it encompasses a range of actions including crossing, traversing, and alienating. It can also imply causing something to pass or be transferred, as well as emotional states like anger in its Hithpael form. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, though they do not provide specific verse references.
עָבַר 648 vb. pass over, through, by, pass on
Qal
pass over
Pass beyond
Pass through, traverse
pass along by
pass by
sweep by, of scourge
be past, over, of time
pass along (from hand to hand)
Pass on, go on
Pass away
Niph. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
Pi.
his bull impregnateth
cause one to cross river
cause something to pass over
make over to
devote children to (לְ) heathen god
pass along (from hand to hand)
cause to pass through
let pass through
cause to pass by
let pass by
cause arrow to pass beyond
cause to pass under rod, for counting
cause to pass away, take away
Hiph.
cause to pass over, bring over
he made to pass across with chains of gold
base
[עָבַר] vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
base
H5674a עָבַר pass over, through, by, pass on .. pass over
. Pass beyond
. Pass through, traverse
. . pass along by
. pass by
. sweep by, of scourge
. be past, over, of time
. pass along (from hand to hand)
. Pass on, go on
. Pass away
. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
. . his bull impregnateth . cause one to cross river
. cause something to pass over
. make over to
. devote children to (לְ) heathen god
. pass along (from hand to hand)
. . cause to pass through
. let pass through
. . cause to pass by
. let pass by
. cause arrow to pass beyond
. cause to pass under rod, for counting
. cause to pass away, take away
. . cause to pass over, bring over
. he made to pass across with chains of gold
H5674b עָבַר vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
5674 `abar aw-bar'
a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any
transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive,
intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
copulation):--alienate, alter, X at all, beyond, bring (over,
through), carry over, (over-)come (on, over), conduct (over),
convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail,
gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way,
in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle,
overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over)
pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over,
through), (cause to, make) + proclaim(-amation), perish,
provoke to anger, put away, rage, + raiser of taxes, remove,
send over, set apart, + shave, cause to (make) sound, X
speedily, X sweet smelling, take (away), (make to)
transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-)faring man, be
wrath.
עָבַר (a.var) — to pass.
1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over
1a2) to pass beyond
1a3) to pass through, traverse
1a3a) passers-through (participle)
1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant)
1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by
1a4a) passer-by (participle)
1a4b) to be past, be over
1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance
1a6) to pass away
1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory)
1a6b) to vanish
1a6c) to perish, cease to exist
1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree)
1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands
1b) (Niphal) to be crossed
1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross
1d) (Hiphil)
HVqp3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
בָּרָד (barad) means hail, specifically referring to hailstones. It is derived from the root word associated with H1258. The term is noted in the context of God's judgment in a figurative sense.
בָּרָד n.m. hail
base
H1259 בָּרָד hail
1259 barad baw-rawd'
from 1258; hail -hail ((stones)).
see HEBREW for 01258
בָּרָד (ba.rad) — hail.
1) hail
1a) of God's judgment (fig.)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Hail!
A salutation expressive of a wish for the welfare of the person addressed; the translation of the Greek Chaire, “Rejoice” (Luke 1:8). Used in mockery in Matt. 27:29.
A salutation, importing a wish for the welfare of the person addressed. It is now seldom used among us; but was customary among our Saxon ancestors, and imported "joy to you," or "health to you," including in the term health all kind of prosperity.
גַּחֶ֫לֶת (gechel) refers to coal, specifically burning coal or hot coals. It is derived from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle. The entries consistently define it as an ember or coal, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
גַּחֶ֫לֶת n.f. coal
base
H1513 גַּחֶ֫לֶת coal
1513 gechel geh'-khel
or (feminine) gacheleth {gah-kheh'-leth}; from an unused root
meaning to glow or kindle; an ember:--(burning) coal.
גַּחֶ֫לֶת (ge.chel) — coal.
coal, burning coal, coals of fire, hot coals
HC/Ncmpc — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural constructHC/Ncmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֵשׁ (esh) means 'fire' and encompasses various types, including natural fire, supernatural fire associated with divine appearances, and fire used for cooking or on altars. It can also figuratively represent God's anger. The entries consistently highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
אֵשׁ 377 n.f. fire
fire, of conflagration
of supernatural fire
fire for cooking, roasting, parching
esp. of altar fire
fig. of Yahweh's anger
in various combinations
base
H784 אֵשׁ fire . fire, of conflagration
. of supernatural fire
. fire for cooking, roasting, parching
. esp. of altar fire
. fig. of Yahweh's anger
. in various combinations
784 'esh aysh
a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively):--
burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
אֵשׁ (esh) — fire.
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)
HNcbsa — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
fir ('esh; pur):
These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'Ur, "light" (Isa 24:15 the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); Isa 31:9, and see FIRES), nur (Aramaic) (Da 3:22 ff) are found a few times, also 'eshshah (Jer 6:29), and be`erah (Ex 22:6), once each. Ac 28:2,3 has pura, "pyre," and Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set…
Fire
(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).
Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2;
is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called "strange fire," and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished…
In Scripture, is often connected with the presence of Jehovah; as in the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai, Ex 3:2 19:18 Ps 18:1-50 Hab 1:1-3:19. The second coming of Christ will be "in flaming fire," 2Th 1:8. In the New Testament it illustrates the enlightening, cheering, and purifying agency of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:11 Ac 2:3. By sending fire from heaven to consume sacrifices, God often signified his acceptance of them: as in the case of Abel, Ge 4:4; Abraham, Ge…