Smoke
Smoke
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Smoke is the visible vapour or volatile matter which escapes from a burning substance. It is one of the commonest categories of apocalyptic prophecy. In St. Johns imagery the smoke of incense (q.v. [Note: .v. quod vide, which see.] ), with (or rather for, i.e. in aid of) the prayers of saints, goes up before God (Rev 8:4). The heavenly temple is filled with smoke from the glory of God (Rev 15:8, Isa 6:4), a symbol of the dark and mysterious side of His self-manifestation, representing perhaps the reaction of His holiness against sin. The prophet Joess omens of blood and fire and vapour of smoke (Act 2:19 || Joe 2:30) may refer either to carnage and destruction in war or to lurid appearances in Nature. The smoke which issues from the opened pit of the abyss, darkening sun and air like the smoke of a great furnace (), and resolving itself into demons in the form of locusts (Rev 9:2 f.), was suggested either by the mephitic fumes emitted from chasms and caverns, or the clouds of vapour rising from hot springs, or the fire and smoke belched forth by volcances, all of which phenomena seemed to the pre-scientific mind to be connected with a subterranean Hades. Out of the mouths of the apocalyptic horses, which have the heads of lions, there come fire and smoke (Rev 9:17), as from the mouth of Leviathan (Job 41:20; cf. Diomedes horses, Lucret. de Rerum nat. v. 29). The smoke of the torment of Caesar-worshippers goes up for ever in sight of the holy angels and the Lamb (Rev 14:11), a weird conception suggested by Enoch, xxvii. 2, 3, xlviii. 9, xc. 26, 27. The smoke of burning Babylon-Imperial Rome-resembling that of the cities of the Plain (Gen 19:28), is seen from afar by the kings of the earth (Rev 18:9) and all shipmasters and mariners (Rev 18:17 f.), as it ascends for ever and ever (Rev 19:3).
James Strahan.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Smoke
(usually], ashan, ; but in Gen 19:28; Psa 119:83, the stronger word , kitor, is used, like , Mat 12:20). On the expression pillars of smoke (Joe 2:30-31; Act 2:19-20) Thomson remarks (Land and Book, 2, 311) that they are probably those columns of sand and dust raised high in the air by local whirlwinds, which often accompany the sirocco. On the great desert of the Hauran I have seen a score of them moving with great rapidity over the plain. SEE WHIRLWIND.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Smoke
smok: Used figuratively of the divine jealousy (Deu 29:20) and anger (Psa 74:1); symbolic of the glory of the divine holiness (Isa 4:5; Isa 6:4; Rev 15:8).
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SMOKE
Smoke considered as hindering or obscuring the sight, may signify gross errors, which obscure and darken the understanding.
When considered as a thing of no substance, and that quickly disappears, it then signifies ambition, and the vain promises of courtiers.f1
When considered as proceeding from incense offered to God, it is the same as a cloud of covering or protection.
When considered as proceeding from fire only, it then signifies, according to the Oneirocritics, diseases, anger, punishment and war.f2 And agreeably to this, smoke is in Virgil explained of warf3 In the Sacred Writings, smoke is for the most part the adjunct of war and destruction. See Gen 19:28; Jos 8:20; Jdg 20:40; Psa 37:20; Isa 14:31. To which may be added those places where smoke is said to come out of God’s nostrils, as in Deu 29:20; 2Sa 22:9; Psa 18:8; Psa 74:1; for that is the same as his anger, according to the constant rule of the Poets;-
f4
” Disce, sed ira cadat naso.”f5
” Fames & mora bilem in nasum conciunt.” f6
Hence Virgil,
-” premens volv it sub naribus ignem.”f7
And Martial,
Spumantem nasum vivi tentaveris ursi.”f8
In Pindar, smoke likewise signifies anger. He says, It is the lot of a good man to bring water against the smoke to them that quarrel, that is, to make peace when men fall out.f9
A house filled with smoke denotes punishment from persons in authority, or the supreme Power.f10
Pillars of smoke, Joe 2:30, symbolize war; and are the instruments to darken the sun, and turn the moon into blood, Joe 2:31; i.e. the symbolic sun and moon. Hence the cloud of smoke and smoky colour, Rev 15:8, may signify the eclipsing of authority, the pulling down of the standing government. -Daubuz.
F1 Hor. L. iii. od. 29, v. 11, 12. Martial. L. iv. Ep. 5.
F2 The Indian, c. 159, and the Persian and Egyptian, c. 29, 160, and 284.
F3 Virgil. n. L. vii. vers. 76-81.
F4 Theocrit. Idyll. i. ver. 18.
F5 Persius Sat. v. ver. 91.
F6 Plaut. Amphit. Act. iv.
F7 Virgil. Georg. L. iii. ver. 85.
F8 Martial. L. vi. Ep. 64.
F9 Pindar. Nem. od. i.
F10 See the Oriental Oneirocritics, c. 160.
Fuente: A Symbolical Dictionary
Smoke
Deu 29:20 (a) The anger of the living GOD is described in this graphic way. Smoke is easily seen, it tells of a fire raging somewhere, it tells of destruction. It is an omen of trouble. The wrath of GOD is all of this. (See 2Sa 22:9; Job 41:20; Psa 18:8; Psa 74:1).
Psa 37:20 (b) Here we see the evanescent and transient character of the wicked, who are carried away by the wrath of GOD, and are seen no more. (See also Psa 68:2).
Psa 102:3 (a) It is true that as the days pass in our lives the events of those days are blotted out of our minds and memories. They disappear and cannot be found again.
Psa 104:32 (b) It may be that our Lord is describing His wonderful power to destroy that which apparently cannot be destroyed. He is the GOD of the impossible. (See Psa 144:5).
Psa 119:83 (a) The Psalmist in the midst of sorrow, difficulty, trial and distress becomes dry, hard and unserviceable as does the skin bottle when it is hung over a fire. It becomes harsh and stiff. The Psalmist did not commit suicide when this happened. He went right to his Bible, the Word of GOD, to become repaired and become supple and soft in the presence of GOD.
Son 3:6 (c) Poetic license permits the use of words which may have various meanings. This passage may refer to the grace of movement and the ease of performance mingled with the fragrance and sweetness of love which undoubtedly characterizes the Lord JESUS CHRIST. It may be that this is a prophecy concerning His beauty and character.
Isa 4:5 (b) The reference is made to the pillar of fire and the cloud that led Israel through the wilderness. In this passage the Lord is reminding them that this will be the precious portion again of His people in a coming day of restoration.
Isa 6:4 (b) As the incense from the golden altar filled the temple with fragrance, so the worship of GOD’s people ascends to the Throne of GOD and is as perfume to Him. (See Rev 5:8).
Isa 9:18 (a) By this statement the Lord is revealing to Israel that His wrath will be poured out upon the land and upon the people so that their wickedness shall be consumed, and the land will be left desolate.
Isa 14:31 (a) We understand here that the invasion by a northern enemy will bring destruction and terrible punishment upon Israel because of their sins. The smoke is just an evidence of the presence of the destructive forces of fire.
Isa 34:10 (a) This may be taken as a picture of the final judgment of GOD upon the earth and its inhabitants. The eternal character of this punishment is revealed also in Rev 14:11.
Hos 13:3 (a) The Lord again warns His people about the tragedy that awaits them because of their wickedness and rebellion against His Word. They will be scattered to the four winds and cease to be a nation.
Joe 2:30 (b) Peter quotes this passage in Act 2:19 as indicating the great day of the power of the Spirit upon the earth. It probably refers to the wrath of GOD poured out in fire and judgment because men have rejected the Spirit of GOD and the Son of GOD.
Rev 9:2 (c) Probably we should consider that this expression is used in most of the passages in Revelation to illustrate the terrible power of GOD in executing vengeance on His enemies. The judgment of GOD is often revealed as fire, and of course the smoke indicates the presence of the fire. (See Rev 18:9; Rev 19:3).
Rev 14:11 (a) The eternal condition of the lost is represented here as being under the continual punishment of the GOD whom they neglected, or rejected. There is no end to their suffering. The ascending smoke indicates the presence of the burning fire.
Rev 15:8 (a) The expression “the glory of God” is often used in the Bible as one of the names of the Holy Spirit. His presence is also represented as a cloud which filled the temple in the Old Testament, and here.