Psalms 18:8
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Original Language Analysis
עָ֘לָ֤ה
There went up
H5927
עָ֘לָ֤ה
There went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 9
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עָשָׁ֨ן׀
a smoke
H6227
עָשָׁ֨ן׀
a smoke
Strong's:
H6227
Word #:
2 of 9
smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)
בְּאַפּ֗וֹ
out of his nostrils
H639
בְּאַפּ֗וֹ
out of his nostrils
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
מִפִּ֥יו
out of his mouth
H6310
מִפִּ֥יו
out of his mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
5 of 9
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
Cross References
Psalms 21:9Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.Psalms 11:6Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.Genesis 19:28And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.Amos 4:11I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.Leviticus 10:2And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.Numbers 16:35And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.Daniel 7:10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern theophany descriptions often included fire, storm, and earthquake as signs of divine presence and power, adapted here for Yahweh's unique character.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance God's tenderness with His fearsome power?
- What does God's fierce response to injustice reveal about His care for His people?
Analysis & Commentary
The theophany intensifies: smoke from God's nostrils, devouring fire from His mouth, glowing coals. This anthropomorphic language portrays God's fierce response to injustice against His anointed. The Hebrew 'ashan' (smoke) and 'esh' (fire) recall Sinai's burning mountain and anticipate Revelation's throne room imagery. Reformed theology uses such language analogically—God's wrath is real though described in human terms.