Afire
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Definition and Usage:
The term "afire" is used to describe something that is on fire or burning. In the context of the Bible, fire often symbolizes God's presence, judgment, purification, and the Holy Spirit. The imagery of fire is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, serving as a powerful metaphor for divine action and spiritual fervor.

Biblical References:

1. God's Presence and Revelation:
· In the Old Testament, fire is frequently associated with the presence of God. One of the most notable instances is the burning bush encountered by Moses. In Exodus 3:2 , it is written, "There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was afire but was not consumed." This miraculous event signifies God's holy presence and His call to Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

2. Divine Judgment:
· Fire is also a symbol of God's judgment. In the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, God rains down fire and brimstone as a form of divine retribution. Genesis 19:24 states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens." This act of judgment serves as a warning against sin and disobedience.

3. Purification and Refinement:
· Fire is used metaphorically to describe the process of purification and refinement. In Malachi 3:2-3 , the prophet speaks of the coming of the Lord, saying, "But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver." This passage highlights the purifying work of God in the lives of His people.

4. The Holy Spirit:
· In the New Testament, fire is associated with the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles in the form of tongues of fire. Acts 2:3 describes this event: "They saw tongues like flames of a fire that separated and came to rest on each of them." This symbolizes the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, igniting the apostles to spread the Gospel.

5. Spiritual Zeal and Passion:
· The concept of being "afire" can also refer to spiritual zeal and passion for God. In Romans 12:11 , believers are exhorted, "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." This call to maintain spiritual fervor encourages Christians to remain passionate and committed in their service to God.

Theological Significance:
The imagery of fire in the Bible serves multiple purposes, from representing God's holy presence to illustrating His judgment and purifying work. It also signifies the empowering and transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The call to be "afire" spiritually is a reminder for Christians to maintain their zeal and dedication to God, reflecting His light and love in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(adv.) On fire.
Greek
1705b. empipremi -- to set on fire
... to set on fire. Transliteration: empipremi Short Definition: afire. Word Origin
from en and pimpremi Definition to set on fire NASB Word Usage set...on fire (1) ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1705b.htm - 5k
Strong's Hebrew
1197a. baar -- to burn, consume
... 5), light (1), make (2), make a clean sweep (1), make fires (1), purge (9), remove
(3), removed (4), set (1), set ablaze (1), sets it afire (1), started (1 ...
/hebrew/1197a.htm - 6k
Library

Plymouth Services
... He would read them as if they were fairly afire with indignation and wrath; then,
softening his voice, read them again with an infinite pathos, as if they were ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/plymouth services.htm

Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History ...
... "Nay, her heart is afire, and its light hath the color of roses," said an old
philosopher who sat by. "Can you not see it shining through her cheeks?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 2 those days it.htm

Instructions and Counsels to Confessors and Spiritual Directors.
... 38. If the Confessor procures an inward and outward Recollection, his words will
be (tho' he knows it not) like Coals kindled, setting their Souls afire. 39. ...
/.../chap vi instructions and counsels.htm

Prologue of Richard Rolle
... But as it were if thy finger were put into the fire it should be clad with sensible
burning, so, as beforesaid, the soul set afire with love, truly feels most ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/prologue of richard rolle.htm

That Solitary or Hermit's Life Passes Common and Mixed Life. And ...
... Because by the bitter drink of penance they have loved great labour, they are now
set afire with the love of high contemplation, and alone are worthy to take ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xiii that solitary or.htm

Prologue
... But that across the centuries his soul, afire with charity, continues to warm our
own; that without our knowledge he still shapes us; and that, in a way more ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/prologue.htm

Carthago Veneris
... the coming of love. Happy intimation for the Christian! A heart so afire is
pledged to the eternal marriage. With this heat of passion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i carthago veneris.htm

Removing the Veil
... after God as the roe pants after the water brook, and the measure in which God revealed
Himself to his seeking heart set the good man's whole life afire with a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/iii removing the veil.htm

The New Garment Bent
... The prophet's words had set him all afire with ambitious hopes, and he paid no heed
to the distinct assurance that Solomon was to be 'prince all the days of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

The Sixth Beatitude
... Everything will be different when 'earth is crammed with heaven, and every common
bush afire with God.' That is what is possible for a Christian holding fast ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the sixth beatitude.htm

Thesaurus
Afire (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) On fire. Multi-Version Concordance Afire
(2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled ...
/a/afire.htm - 7k

Aflame (8 Occurrences)

/a/aflame.htm - 8k

Flaming (40 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Flame. 2. (a.) Emitting flames; afire; blazing; consuming; illuminating.
3. (a.) of the color of flame; high-colored; brilliant; dazzling. ...
/f/flaming.htm - 19k

Affrighteth (1 Occurrence)

/a/affrighteth.htm - 6k

Resources
Who was Immanuel Kant? | GotQuestions.org

Afire: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Afire (2 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 32:22
For a fire is kindled in my anger, Burns to the lowest Sheol, Devours the earth with its increase, and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 30:33
For a place of fire has long been ready; yes, it has been made ready for the king; he has made it deep and wide: it is massed with fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of fire, puts a light to it.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Afire

Related Terms

Indignant (22 Occurrences)

Intense (13 Occurrences)

Afoot (3 Occurrences)

Afire (2 Occurrences)

Astray (116 Occurrences)

Swords (50 Occurrences)

Led (260 Occurrences)

Tongues (67 Occurrences)

Fire (602 Occurrences)

Messenger (235 Occurrences)

Language (112 Occurrences)

Tabeel (2 Occurrences)

Affrighteth
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