King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Smoke arose in his nostrils; out of his mouth came devouring fire; sparks blazed forth from him.
Berean Standard Bible:
Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.
American Standard Version:
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
There went up{H5927} a smoke{H6227} out of his nostrils{H639}, and fire{H784} out of his mouth{H6310} devoured{H398}: coals{H1513} were kindled{H1197} by it.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 21:9
- Thou 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 11:6
- Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the portion of their cup.
Nahum 1:5
- The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
Nahum 1:6
- Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
Daniel 7:10
- A 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.
Genesis 19:28
- And 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 4:11
- I 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.
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Commentary for Psalms 18:8
Psalm 18:8 is part of a larger psalm attributed to David, traditionally believed to have been written after he was delivered from his enemies and from the hand of King Saul. This particular verse is rich in metaphorical imagery, depicting the fierce and powerful intervention of God on behalf of the psalmist.
In the context of ancient Near Eastern theophanies—descriptions of divine appearances—the imagery of smoke and fire often symbolizes the presence of deity. These elements convey God's wrath and judgment against the wicked, as well as His power to rescue and save. The smoke and fire are not to be taken literally but are poetic expressions of God's overwhelming might and His role as a divine warrior who comes to the aid of His chosen one.
The verse reflects the historical context where David faced real and imminent threats to his life and kingship. The theophany described serves to underscore the intensity of God's involvement in David's deliverance. It also echoes the broader theme in the Hebrew Bible of God's faithfulness to His anointed king, ensuring justice and maintaining the divine order.
In summary, Psalm 18:8 uses vivid, elemental imagery to express the might and fury of God as He intervenes in history to save and protect His servant. It is a testament to the belief in God's active role in the lives of individuals and nations, and His capacity to vanquish adversaries with awe-inspiring power.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5927
There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָלָה
Transliteration: ʻâlâh
Pronunciation: aw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; 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. - Strong's Number: H6227
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׁן
Transliteration: ʻâshân
Pronunciation: aw-shawn'
Description: from עָשַׁן; smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger); smoke(-ing). - Strong's Number: H639
There are 306 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַף
Transliteration: ʼaph
Pronunciation: af
Description: from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. - Strong's Number: H784
There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשׁ
Transliteration: ʼêsh
Pronunciation: aysh
Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. - Strong's Number: H6310
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּה
Transliteration: peh
Pronunciation: peh
Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; 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. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [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. - Strong's Number: H1513
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֶּחֶל
Transliteration: gechel
Pronunciation: geh'-khel
Description: or (feminine) גַּחֶלֶת; from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle; an ember; (burning) coal. - Strong's Number: H1197
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּעַר
Transliteration: bâʻar
Pronunciation: baw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste.