A flame is a visible fire or burning blaze. Figuratively, Scripture uses it for excitement, shame, judgment, divine wrath, and the searching purity of the glorified Christ.
Definition
A flame is a visible blaze or burning fire. The biblical word may refer to literal fire, a vehement blaze, a wholly consumed offering, or a flaming manifestation. It may also be used figuratively for excitement, shame, astonishment, divine wrath, or searching purity.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses flame as a figure of excitement, shame, and astonishment, including “faces of flame.” It symbolizes God’s wrath and describes the glorified Christ with eyes like a flame of fire, signifying searching purity. Flames of fire are also described as ministers in the Psalms.
Historical Background
Several Hebrew and Aramaic words are translated “flame,” including terms connected with burning, rising smoke, completeness, and fire. In some passages the Revised Version changes “flame” to cloud, flaming flame, or other more specific renderings.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>flam (lahabh, and other forms from same root; phlox):</p><p>In Jud 13:20 bis; Job 41:21; Isa 29:6; Joe 2:5, the word is lahabh. Various other words are translated "flame"; mas'eth, "a lifting or rising up" (Jud 20:38,40 the King James Version), the Revised Version (British and American) "cloud" (of smoke); kalil, "completeness" (Jud 20:40 b King James Version margin, "a holocaust, or offering wholly consumed by fire"; compare Le 6:15); shalhebheth (Job 15:30; So 8:6; the American Standard Revised Version "a very flame of Yahweh," margin "or, a most vehement flame"; Eze 20:47, the Revised Version (British and American) "the flaming flame"); shabhibh (Job 18:5; the Revised Version, margin); shebhibh, Aramaic (Da 3:22; 7:9). In Ps 104:4 the American Standard Revised Version has "maketh .... flames of fire his ministers"; the Revised Version (British and American) "flame" for "snare" (Pr 29:8).</p><p>Figuratively: "Flame" is used to denote excitement (Pr 29:8 the Revised Version (British and American)), shame, astonishment, "faces of flame" (Isa 13:8); in Re 1:14, the glorified Christ is described as having eyes "as a flame of fire," signifying their searching purity (compare Re 2:18; 19:12). Flame is also a symbol of God's wrath (Ps 83:14; Isa 5:24; 10:17).</p><p>See also FIRE.</p><p>W. L. Walker</p>
