Flare
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In the context of biblical literature and theology, the term "flare" does not appear directly in the Scriptures. However, the concept of a flare, understood as a sudden burst of light or a signal, can be metaphorically related to various biblical themes and events. The imagery of light, fire, and sudden illumination is prevalent throughout the Bible, often symbolizing divine presence, revelation, and judgment.

Divine Revelation and Light

The Bible frequently uses light as a metaphor for God's revelation and truth. In Psalm 119:105, the psalmist declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" . This verse highlights the illuminating power of God's Word, akin to a flare that guides and directs believers in their spiritual journey. Similarly, in John 1:5, the apostle John writes, "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" , referring to Jesus Christ as the true light that reveals God's truth to the world.

Theophany and Fire

The presence of God is often associated with fire in the Bible, which can be likened to a flare in its sudden and intense manifestation. One of the most notable examples is the burning bush encountered by Moses in Exodus 3:2, where "the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush" . This theophany, or visible manifestation of God, served as a divine signal calling Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Judgment and Suddenness

The concept of a flare can also be related to the suddenness of divine judgment. In the New Testament, Jesus warns of the unexpected nature of His return, comparing it to a thief in the night. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, Paul writes, "For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and security,' destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape" . This imagery conveys the abrupt and unavoidable nature of God's judgment, much like the sudden burst of a flare.

Guidance and Protection

In the wilderness journey of the Israelites, God's guidance was symbolized by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 13:21 states, "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night" . This divine guidance can be seen as a continuous flare, providing direction and protection to God's people.

Spiritual Vigilance

The metaphor of a flare can also be applied to the call for spiritual vigilance and readiness. Believers are encouraged to be alert and watchful, as seen in 1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" . Just as a flare signals a warning or calls for attention, Christians are urged to remain spiritually vigilant in anticipation of Christ's return and in defense against spiritual adversaries.

In summary, while the term "flare" is not explicitly found in the Bible, its symbolic implications resonate with various biblical themes, including divine revelation, theophany, judgment, guidance, and spiritual vigilance. These themes underscore the importance of light and fire as representations of God's presence and action in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. i.) To burn with an unsteady or waving flame; as, the candle flares.

2. (v. i.) To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light.

3. (v. i.) To shine out with gaudy colors; to flaunt; to be offensively bright or showy.

4. (v. i.) To be exposed to too much light.

5. (v. i.) To open or spread outwards; to project beyond the perpendicular; as, the sides of a bowl flare; the bows of a ship flare.

6. (n.) An unsteady, broad, offensive light.

7. (n.) A spreading outward; as, the flare of a fireplace.

8. (n.) Leaf of lard.

Strong's Hebrew
7957. shalhebeth -- flame
... flaming flame. From the same as lahab with sibilant prefix; a flare of fire --
(flaming) flame. see HEBREW lahab. 7956, 7957. shalhebeth. 7958 . ...
/hebrew/7957.htm - 6k
Library

Imperial Caesar
... He halted silently back of his cousin and with a sudden flare of intent on his dead
white face snatched a dagger from his girdle and drove it between the ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

The Spread Net
... "No woman who would preserve her loveliness should let her cares trouble her dreams.".
"How am I to do that?" Laodice asked with a flare of scorn. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvi the spread net.htm

The Death of the Famous Actor Miraudin was a Nine Days' Wonder...
... the closed coffin, escorted her melancholy burden back to Paris, where in a stately
marble vault, to the solemn sound of singing, and amid the flare of funeral ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/xxv the death of the.htm

The Shield of Faith
... which refined people are so afraid of, although the Bible is not, 'lusts"which war
against the soul,' and which need only a touch of fire to flare up like a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the shield of faith.htm

Secret Faults
... David will flare up into generous and sincere indignation about the man that stole
the poor man's ewe lamb, but he has not the ghost of a notion that he has ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/secret faults.htm

May the Twenty-Second the Light as Darkness
... the night. We think it is "the dawn of God's sweet morning," and behold!
it is the perverse flare of the evil one. He has given ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/may the twenty-second the light.htm

The Last Smile of the Muse
... Alps, peak upon peak, covered with snow; and nearer in view, sheer cliffs, jutting
fastnesses, ploughed through with black gorges which make flare out plainer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the last smile of.htm

Impressive Phrases
... fine, fragile, delicate, and dainty. firmness, steadfastness, stability, and tenacity.
flash, flame, flare, and glare. flat, insipid, tame, and monotonous. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Next Day, and the Next after That, were Passed by the Cardinal ...
... There was the crimson flare of the Torch of Truth!"and the effigies of the ape Voltaire
and the sensualist Rousseau, took the places of St. Peter and St. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/x the next day and.htm

The Waiting Maidens
... There is a tragedy underlying many a life of outward religiousness and inward emptiness,
and a dreadful discovery will flare in upon such, when they have to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the waiting maidens.htm

Thesaurus
Flare (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To open or spread outwards; to project beyond the perpendicular; as, the
sides of a bowl flare; the bows of a ship flare. ...Flare (2 Occurrences). ...
/f/flare.htm - 7k

Flared (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Flare. Multi-Version Concordance
Flared (3 Occurrences). Judges 6:21 Then the angel of the ...
/f/flared.htm - 7k

Flapped (1 Occurrence)

/f/flapped.htm - 6k

Resources
What does the Bible say about verbal abuse? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to kiss the son (Psalm 2:12)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Porcius Festus? | GotQuestions.org

Flare: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

2 Samuel 11:20
it shall be that, if the king's wrath arise, and he asks you,'Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn't you know that they would shoot from the wall?
(See NIV)

Psalms 2:12
Give sincere homage, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Flare

Related Terms

Flash (19 Occurrences)

Flare (2 Occurrences)

Flapped
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