Leviticus 6:13

KJV

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

KJV (with Strong's)

The fire {H784} shall ever {H8548} be burning {H3344} upon the altar {H4196}; it shall never go out {H3518}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Fire is to be kept burning on the altar continually; it is not to go out.

Berean Standard Bible

The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished.

American Standard Version

Fire shall be kept burning upon the altar continually; it shall not go out.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 6:13 issues a foundational command regarding the perpetual maintenance of the sacred fire upon the altar of burnt offering in the Tabernacle. This divine instruction underscores the absolute necessity of an unceasing flame, symbolizing God's enduring presence among His people, the continuous need for atonement and worship, and the unwavering diligence required of the Levitical priests in their sacred duties. It speaks to the unbroken covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, where divine acceptance and human devotion were to be constantly manifested.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 6:13 concludes a specific section (Leviticus 6:8-13) detailing the regulations for the burnt offering (`olah`), a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar. This passage is addressed specifically to Aaron and his sons, outlining their priestly duties for this particular offering. Verses 8-10 describe the priest's responsibility to wear linen garments while removing the ashes from the altar, which were then taken outside the camp (verse 11). Verse 12 explicitly states that the priest "shall keep the fire of the altar burning on it; he shall add wood to it every morning and arrange the burnt offering on it and burn on it the fat portions of the peace offerings." Leviticus 6:13 serves as the absolute, culminating command, emphasizing the perpetual nature of this fire, ensuring that the sacrificial system and the communion it facilitated remained unbroken.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command in Leviticus 6:13 is set within the context of Israel's wilderness wanderings and the establishment of the Tabernacle as the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people. The fire on the altar was not merely a practical necessity for consuming sacrifices; it held profound symbolic significance. Crucially, this fire was not to be kindled by human hands daily but was originally ignited by God Himself during the consecration of the Tabernacle and priesthood, as recorded in [Leviticus 9:24](/leviticus/9-24 "Leviticus 9:24 - God's Fire Consumes the Offering"), where "fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar." This divine ignition signified God's acceptance of their worship and His presence. In a cultural landscape where pagan religions often involved human-kindled fires and rituals, Israel's divinely sustained fire uniquely underscored the holiness and sovereignty of Yahweh, who initiated and sustained the means of their approach to Him. The perpetual fire served as a constant, visible reminder of God's abiding presence and His readiness to receive His people's offerings and prayers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **תָּמִיד (_tamid_):** This Hebrew adverb, translated "ever" or "continually," denotes regularity, permanence, and unbroken continuity. It emphasizes that the fire was not to be lit intermittently but was to be an ongoing, perpetual flame. In the context of the Tabernacle, `tamid` often refers to daily, continuous rituals, such as the daily burnt offering or the showbread, signifying a constant state of worship and communion with God. Here, it underscores the unwavering nature of God's presence and the perpetual need for atonement and devotion.
* **לֹא תִכְבֶּה (_lo tikbeh_):** This phrase, translated "it shall never go out," employs a strong negative particle (`lo`) combined with the imperfect form of the verb `kabah` (to be extinguished, to go out). The imperfect tense, used with the negative, conveys an absolute and emphatic prohibition against the fire ever being quenched. This reinforces the non-negotiable, perpetual nature of the command, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining the divine flame as a symbol of God's enduring covenant and the priests' unceasing vigilance.
* **אֵשׁ (_esh_):** The Hebrew word for "fire." In the Old Testament, fire is a multifaceted symbol, often representing God's presence (e.g., the burning bush in [Exodus 3:2](/exodus/3-2 "Exodus 3:2 - The Burning Bush")), His holiness and purity (e.g., consuming the offering), His judgment, and His acceptance. Here, the fire is intrinsically linked to God's active involvement in the sacrificial system, being divinely kindled and divinely commanded to be maintained, thus embodying His active presence and acceptance of His people's worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar;":** This clause establishes the central command: the fire (`esh`) on the altar of burnt offering must be kept perpetually (`tamid`) alight. This fire was not merely a tool but a sacred entity, divinely initiated and sustained. Its continuous burning signified the unbroken communion between God and Israel, the constant availability of atonement through sacrifice, and the enduring nature of God's covenant faithfulness. The "altar" (`mizbeakh`) was the focal point of Israel's worship, the place where sin was addressed and fellowship with God restored.
* **"it shall never go out.":** This concluding, emphatic declaration (`lo tikbeh`) reiterates and strengthens the command for perpetuity. It underscores the absolute, non-negotiable nature of this divine instruction. This was a profound responsibility for the priests, demanding constant vigilance and dedication. The unextinguished fire served as a tangible sign of God's abiding presence within the camp, a perpetual reminder of His holiness, and the continuous need for His people's devotion and the atoning sacrifices.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 6:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is evident in the dual emphasis on perpetuity: "shall ever be burning" and "shall never go out." This redundancy serves to stress the absolute and unwavering nature of the command, ensuring its critical importance is not overlooked. **Symbolism** is central, with the "fire" representing God's active, consuming presence, His holiness, His acceptance of offerings, and the fervent devotion expected from His people. The "altar" symbolizes the place of atonement, communion, and worship. The phrase "it shall never go out" functions as an **absolute command** or **hyperbole**, emphasizing the non-negotiable and perpetual nature of the divine will regarding the maintenance of the sacred flame, thereby highlighting the immense responsibility placed upon the priests and the enduring reality of God's presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The perpetual fire on the altar in Leviticus 6:13 is a powerful theological statement about the nature of God, worship, and atonement. It speaks to God's unchanging presence and His continuous readiness to receive His people. The unceasing flame signifies that the need for atonement and the opportunity for communion with a holy God are constant, not intermittent. It underscores the idea of an unbroken relationship, where God's covenant faithfulness is met by the people's perpetual devotion and obedience, facilitated through the divinely ordained sacrificial system. This Old Covenant command foreshadows a New Covenant reality where spiritual worship and access to God are likewise continuous.

* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Continual Sacrifice of Praise")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:17](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal fire on the altar was part of the Old Covenant ceremonial law, its spiritual principles resonate profoundly with believers today, inviting us to consider the state of our own spiritual lives. The command for the fire to "never go out" serves as a powerful metaphor for the continuous fervor of our faith, the unwavering presence of the Holy Spirit within us, and our ongoing commitment to God. Just as the priests diligently tended the physical flame, we are called to tend our spiritual "fire" through consistent prayer, diligent study of God's Word, active fellowship with other believers, and obedient service. This verse challenges us to move beyond sporadic spiritual engagement to embrace a lifestyle of continuous worship and communion, recognizing that our access to God through Christ is always available. It reminds us that spiritual vitality is not accidental but requires intentional effort, vigilance, and a constant reliance on the divine source of our spiritual strength. Our "fire" of devotion, kindled by God's Spirit, should burn brightly and consistently, reflecting an unbroken walk with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life does your "spiritual fire" seem to be dimming, and what steps can you take to rekindle it?**
* **How does the concept of a perpetual fire on the altar encourage you to live a life of continuous worship and prayer, rather than intermittent spiritual activity?**
* **Considering the priests' vigilance in tending the fire, what practical disciplines can you implement to ensure your spiritual devotion remains constant and vibrant?**

### FAQ
**What was the practical purpose of keeping the fire burning continually on the altar?**

Answer: Practically, it ensured that the altar was always ready for the daily burnt offerings and other sacrifices, eliminating the need to kindle a new fire each time. However, its primary purpose was symbolic and theological. It represented God's constant presence among His people, His perpetual acceptance of their worship, and the continuous availability of atonement through the sacrificial system. It also underscored the unbroken nature of the covenant relationship and the constant vigilance required of the priests.

**Did the fire ever go out in Israel's history?**

Answer: According to the divine command in Leviticus 6:13, the fire was never to go out. The original fire was supernaturally kindled by God Himself in [Leviticus 9:24](/leviticus/9-24 "Leviticus 9:24 - God's Fire Consumes the Offering"), signifying its divine origin and importance. While the biblical narrative does not explicitly record the fire going out due to priestly negligence during the Tabernacle or First Temple periods, there were times of spiritual decline and national apostasy where the proper performance of rituals likely suffered. The command itself emphasizes the absolute ideal and the critical importance of its maintenance for the spiritual well-being of the nation.

**How does this Old Testament command relate to New Testament believers?**

Answer: For New Testament believers, Leviticus 6:13 serves as a powerful type and shadow, pointing to spiritual realities. The "fire" symbolizes the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence, which is perpetual ([John 14:16](/john/14-16 "John 14:16 - The Spirit Will Be With You Forever")). It also represents the fervent devotion and continuous worship that believers are called to offer as a "living sacrifice" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")). Just as the priests maintained the physical fire, believers are called to cultivate their spiritual lives, ensuring their passion for God, their prayer life ([1 Thessalonians 5:17](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing")), and their commitment to Christ remain constant and unquenchable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 6:13, with its command for the perpetual fire on the altar, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament altar fire symbolized the ongoing need for atonement and the continuous presence of God, but it was a shadow, requiring daily human effort and repeated animal sacrifices. In Christ, we see the true and eternal "fire" of God's presence and reconciling work. His sacrifice on the cross was a once-for-all offering that perfectly atoned for sin, making continuous animal sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Jesus Himself is our great High Priest, who "always lives to intercede" for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Perpetual Intercession")), ensuring a perpetual "fire" of intercession and access to God that "shall never go out." The Holy Spirit, often depicted as fire ([Acts 2:3-4](/acts/2-3 "Acts 2:3-4 - Tongues of Fire at Pentecost")), now indwells believers, making them living temples where the "fire" of God's presence burns continuously ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Through Christ, we are made a "holy priesthood" offering "spiritual sacrifices" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Holy Priesthood")), meaning our worship, praise, and lives of obedience become the perpetual "fire" burning on the altar of our hearts, sustained by His unending grace and power.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.