a primitive root; properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to blaze; burn (up), set on fire, flaming, kindle.
Transliteration:lâhaṭ
Pronunciation:law-hat'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H3857 (לָהַט, *lâhaṭ*) is a primitive root, suggesting a foundational and possibly onomatopoeic origin. Its most basic, literal meaning is "to lick," which intuitively extends to the dynamic, active movement of flames. By implication, therefore, the primary semantic range of H3857 revolves around the concept of intense heat and fire: "to blaze," "to burn (up)," "to set on fire," "flaming," or "to kindle." This root emphasizes the active, consuming, and often destructive nature of fire, depicting it as a vibrant, almost living entity that "licks" and devours.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root H3857 appears in several significant biblical contexts, primarily associated with divine power, presence, and judgment:
* **Divine Presence and Paradox:** Perhaps the most iconic occurrence is in the narrative of the burning bush: "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush H3857ed with fire, and the bush was not consumed" [[Exodus 3:2]]. Here, H3857 describes a miraculous, active blaze that signifies God's holy presence, yet defies the natural consequence of consumption, highlighting divine transcendence and mystery.
* **Divine Wrath and Judgment:** H3857 frequently depicts God's consuming wrath against sin and rebellion.
* In [[Deuteronomy 32:22]], God declares, "For a fire is H3857ed in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains." This portrays divine judgment as an all-consuming, unquenchable fire.
* Similarly, [[Psalm 106:18]] recounts God's judgment against the rebellious: "And a fire was H3857ed in their company; the flame burned up the wicked."
* The prophet Joel uses H3857 to describe the devastating effects of judgment, whether by locusts or divine intervention: "The fire hath H3857ed the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field" [[Joel 1:19]]; and "A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame H3857eth" [[Joel 2:3]].
* Nahum speaks of God's fury as a H3857ing fire: "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" [[Nahum 1:6]].
* Malachi prophesies about the "day that shall H3857 as an oven" [[Malachi 4:1 (3:19 MT)]], a day of judgment where the wicked will be consumed.
Across these contexts, H3857 consistently conveys the intensity, power, and often destructive nature of fire, whether literal or metaphorical, particularly in relation to God's active involvement in creation and judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of H3857 is closely interwoven with several other Hebrew terms and theological ideas:
* **Fire (אֵשׁ - `{{H784}}`):** This is the direct noun for the phenomenon H3857 describes. H3857 is the verb that describes fire's action.
* **Burning/Consuming (בָּעַר - `{{H1197}}`, יָקַד - `{{H3344}}`, אָכַל - `{{H398}}`):** While H1197 (to burn, consume) and H3344 (to kindle, burn) are general terms for burning, H3857 often carries a sense of intense, active blazing. H398 (to eat, devour) describes the outcome of such burning, often used in conjunction with fire.
* **Wrath/Anger (חֲרוֹן - `{{H2740}}`, אַף - `{{H639}}`):** Fire is a pervasive biblical metaphor for divine anger and judgment, making H3857 a natural descriptor for its intensity.
* **Glory/Presence (כָּבוֹד - `{{H3519}}`, פָּנִים - `{{H6440}}`):** In contexts like the burning bush, the H3857ing fire signifies the tangible manifestation of God's glorious presence.
* **Holiness (קֹדֶשׁ - `{{H6944}}`):** The unconsumed fire of the bush points to God's unique, set-apart, and awe-inspiring holiness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3857 is profound and multifaceted:
* **Divine Presence and Immanence:** The burning bush in [[Exodus 3:2]] is the quintessential example. The H3857ing fire symbolizes God's active, living presence, which is both powerful and holy. The fact that the bush is not consumed underscores the unique, transcendent nature of God's holiness, which can indwell creation without destroying it, yet demands reverence and sets boundaries.
* **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** More pervasively, H3857 serves as a potent metaphor for God's righteous judgment against sin. The "blazing" or "flaming" fire represents God's active, consuming wrath that purges evil from His creation. This imagery is particularly prominent in prophetic warnings of the "Day of the Lord," where the wicked are depicted as stubble consumed by a H3857ing furnace ([[Malachi 4:1]]). This speaks to God's unwavering justice and His commitment to upholding His moral order.
* **Irresistible Power and Sovereignty:** The H3857ing fire is an unstoppable force, whether it manifests as divine judgment, natural disaster, or a miraculous sign. It conveys God's omnipotence and His absolute sovereignty over all creation and human affairs.
* **Purification (Implied):** While often destructive, fire in biblical theology also carries connotations of purification. Though H3857 itself emphasizes the destructive aspect, the broader context of divine judgment often implies a process of separation, where the dross is consumed, leaving only what is pure.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H3857 (לָהַט, *lâhaṭ*), meaning "to lick" and by extension "to blaze" or "to burn," is a vivid descriptor of intense, active fire in the Old Testament. Its primary biblical usage highlights two core theological themes: the awesome, unconsuming presence of God's holiness, most famously depicted in the burning bush of [[Exodus 3:2]]; and the consuming, destructive power of God's righteous judgment and wrath against sin, as seen in passages like [[Deuteronomy 32:22]], [[Psalm 106:18]], and [[Malachi 4:1]]. Thus, H3857 powerfully conveys both the majestic, transcendent nature of God's being and His active, irresistible will in upholding justice and purity in His creation.
TRV