אֵשׁ

“Fire” in Hebrew is Esh (אֵשׁ), pronounced “EHSH.” Esh is one of the oldest Semitic words, appearing across multiple ancient languages. The root א-שׁ is considered a primary noun rather than derived from a verbal root, reflecting fire's elemental nature in ancient thought. It may be connected to the root meaning 'to exist' or 'being.'

Esh (אֵשׁ) means “Fire” in Biblical Hebrew. Esh appears approximately 380 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes God's presence (burning bush, pillar of fire), divine judgment (Sodom, Nadab and Abihu), sacrifice (Leviticus), purification (Numbers 31:23), and prophetic vision (Ezekiel 1:4).

Esh is pronounced “EHSH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root א-שׁ.

Fire perfectly represents God's nature: it gives light (revelation), warmth (love), purifies metals (sanctification), and consumes what is impure (judgment). The burning bush showed that God's presence is powerful yet does not destroy what He chooses to indwell. Fire reveals God as simultaneously approachable and awesome.

The fire on Sinai where God gave the Torah and the tongues of fire at Pentecost where God gave the Spirit form a deliberate parallel. Both events feature fire, wind, and God speaking. Jewish tradition holds that Pentecost (Shavuot) celebrates the giving of the Torah — making the connection between fire and God's revelation a continuous thread across both testaments.

John the Baptist said the Messiah would baptize 'with the Holy Spirit and fire' (Matthew 3:11). In Hebrew thought, fire (esh) purifies precious metals by burning away dross (Malachi 3:2-3). The baptism of fire refers to the Spirit's purifying work in believers — burning away sin and refining character, much like a silversmith uses fire to produce pure silver.