2 samuel 22:9 - Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 22:9

What does "2 samuel 22:9" mean?


This verse, taken from Psalm 18 (which is also found in 2 Samuel 22), is highly poetic and metaphorical, describing God's overwhelming power and wrath when He comes to rescue David. It's not meant to be taken literally as God having nostrils and a mouth. Instead, it uses vivid imagery to convey the following:

"Smoke went up out of his nostrils": This evokes the image of intense anger and fury. Smoke often symbolizes hidden or suppressed anger that is now being released. The nostrils as the source suggest that God's very being is filled with righteous indignation.

"Consuming fire came out of his mouth": Fire is a common symbol of divine judgment, purification, and destructive power. This phrase suggests that God's words or actions are like a fire that destroys His enemies and purifies His people. It emphasizes the destructive force of God's presence and the power of His word.

"Coals were kindled by it": This reinforces the idea of fire and emphasizes its power to ignite and spread. It suggests that the fire from God's mouth not only destroys but also kindles more destruction, indicating the far-reaching consequences of God's wrath. It could also imply that the enemies' own actions fuel the fire of God's judgment.

In summary, the verse is a powerful depiction of God's intervention on behalf of David, using dramatic imagery of smoke and fire to convey His awesome power, righteous anger, and the destructive force of His judgment against evil.

It's important to remember the genre of this passage. It's poetry, not a literal description. The purpose is to evoke a feeling of awe and respect for God's power and His ability to protect those who trust in Him.

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