Original Word: עָשָׁן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `ashan
Pronunciation: ah-shawn'
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-shawn')
KJV: smoke(-ing)
NASB: smoke, smoking
Word Origin: [from H6225 (עָשַׁן - smoke)]

1. smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)

smoke

From ashan; smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger) -- smoke(-ing).

see HEBREW ashan

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
smoke
NASB Translation
smoke (24), smoking (1).

I. עָשָׁן noun masculine^{Exodus 19:16} smoke; — absolute ׳ע Judges 20:38 +, construct עֲשַׁן Joshua 8:20,21, עֶ֫שֶׁן Exodus 19:18; suffix עֲשָׁנוֺ Exodus 19:18, עֲשָׁנָהּ Isaiah 34:10; —

1. a. of burning city Joshua 8:20; Joshua 8:21; Judges 20:88; Judges 20:40, compare Nahum 2:14; heralding a foe Isaiah 14:31.

b. in figurative of destruction of Israel Isaiah 9:17, Edom Isaiah 34:10.

c. simile of dust-cloud Songs 3:6; of transitoriness Hosea 13:3; Isaiah 51:6; Psalm 37:20 (reading ׳כֶּע, as ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9), Psalm 68:3; Psalm 102:4; simile of the unpleasant, Proverbs 10:26.

d. breath of crocodile Job 41:12.

2. a. attending theoph., ׳תַּנּוּר ע Genesis 15:17; of mountain Exodus 19:18, compare simile הַכִּבְשָׁן ׳כְּע Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 6:4, also Isaiah 4:5; Joel 3:3.

b. of God's anger, בְּאַמּוֺ ׳ע 2 Samuel 22:9 = Psalm 18:9; so probably also Isaiah 65:5.

Meaning and Imagery of Smoke

עָשָׁן expresses the visible vapor that rises from fire, but in Scripture it regularly carries theological weight. Smoke obscures, ascends, swirls, and dissipates, providing a ready metaphor both for the mysterious nearness of God and for the evanescence of human life and wickedness. It can attract attention as a signal, fill the air with fragrance, or sting the eyes; accordingly, its biblical usages range from glorious revelation to severe judgment.

Smoke as Manifestation of Divine Presence

• Genesis 15:17 records the covenant with Abram: “a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the pieces.” The smoke underscores awe and solemnity, marking an unconditional promise ratified by God Himself.
• When the LORD descends on Mount Sinai, “Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire” (Exodus 19:18). The dense smoke guards holiness, shields the people, and amplifies the gravity of the covenant law.
• Isaiah’s inaugural vision echoes Sinai: “The foundations of the thresholds shook at the sound of the voices, and the temple was filled with smoke” (Isaiah 6:4). Here smoke signals the overwhelming holiness of the King whose glory fills the whole earth.
• Royal theophany imagery in Psalm 18:8 and its parallel in 2 Samuel 22:9—“Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth”—depicts the LORD as a warrior whose very breath issues judgment.
• Isaiah 4:5 anticipates a future protection over Zion: “a cloud by day and a smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night,” recalling the wilderness pillar that both guided and guarded Israel.

Smoke and Sacrificial Worship

Rising smoke from burnt offerings signified atonement and acceptance (implicit throughout Leviticus, though עָשָׁן itself is not used there). Song of Songs 3:6 draws on that imagery: “Who is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense…?” The ascending fragrant smoke portrays worshipful procession and covenant celebration, foreshadowing the pleasing aroma of Christ’s self-offering (Ephesians 5:2).

Smoke as Symbol of Judgment

In military narratives smoke marks conquered cities: Joshua 8:20-21 describes Ai’s smoke rising as a sign for Israel’s ambush; Judges 20:38-40 uses a signal-plume to turn battle in Benjamin. Prophets expand the theme:
• “Its smoke will rise forever” over Edom’s ruins (Isaiah 34:10).
• “I will consume your chariots in smoke” (Nahum 2:13) against Nineveh.
• Joel 2:30 links “columns of smoke” with end-time portents of blood and fire.
• God’s anger against complacent Israel is vivid: “These people are smoke in My nostrils” (Isaiah 65:5).

Smoke Illustrating Transience and Vanity

Smoke’s brief appearance illustrates how swiftly the wicked or one’s own life can vanish:
• “As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out” (Psalm 68:2).
• “My days have vanished like smoke” (Psalm 102:3).
• “The heavens will vanish like smoke” when God remakes creation (Isaiah 51:6).
• Hosea 13:3 likens apostate Israel to “smoke escaping through a window,” here one moment, gone the next.
• “Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker” (Proverbs 10:26), emphasizing irritation and futility.

Smoke in Military and National Catastrophe

Beyond Ai and Gibeah, thick smoke often accompanies siege and destruction (Isaiah 9:18; 14:31). Fire-fed smoke darkens skies, signaling both immediate terror and divine retribution on nations that oppose God’s purposes.

Prophetic and Eschatological Uses

Joel’s “blood and fire and columns of smoke” stand behind New Testament descriptions of cosmic signs (Acts 2:19; Revelation 9:2-3). Isaiah 34 and 51 anticipate an unquenchable judgment whose smoke rises perpetually, paralleling Revelation 14:11. In Scripture’s unified message, smoke thus links historic judgments with the final condemnation of evil and the vindication of the righteous.

Theological and Ministry Application

1. Reverence: The recurring shroud of smoke around divine manifestation warns against casual approaches to the holy. Worship should retain a sense of awe.
2. Assurance: Smoke from God’s altar reminds believers that atonement has been made and prayers ascend acceptably (Revelation 8:3-4).
3. Urgency: Human life and wicked schemes vanish “like smoke”; therefore ministry must prioritize what endures—faith, obedience, and readiness for Christ’s return.
4. Warning: Cities engulfed in smoke illustrate outcomes of persistent rebellion; proclaiming the gospel includes alerting people to the coming judgment whose smoke will not be quenched.
5. Hope: Even as smoke passes, the covenant stands firm; the God who once appeared in smoke will one day dwell with His people in unveiled glory, where no smoke will obscure the sight of His face.

בְעָשָׁ֣ן בֶֽעָשָׁן֙ בֶעָשָׁ֣ן בעשן הֶעָשָׁ֖ן העשן וְכֶעָשָׁ֥ן וְעָשָׁ֔ן וּכְעָשָׁ֖ן וכעשן ועשן כְּעֶ֣שֶׁן כֶּעָשָׁ֤ן כעשן עֲשַׁ֣ן עֲשַׁ֤ן עֲשָׁנָ֑הּ עֲשָׁנוֹ֙ עָשָֽׁן׃ עָשָׁ֑ן עָשָׁ֗ן עָשָׁ֣ן עָשָׁ֨ן ׀ עָשָׁן֙ עשן עשן׃ עשנה עשנו ‘ă·šā·nāh ‘ă·šā·nōw ‘ă·šan ‘ā·šān ‘ăšan ‘āšān ‘ăšānāh ‘ăšānōw aShan ashaNah ashaNo ḇe‘āšān ḇə‘āšān ḇe·‘ā·šān ḇə·‘ā·šān he‘āšān he·‘ā·šān heaShan ke‘āšān kə‘ešen ke·‘ā·šān kə·‘e·šen keaShan keEshen ū·ḵə·‘ā·šān ucheaShan ūḵə‘āšān veaShan vecheaShan wə‘āšān wə·‘ā·šān wə·ḵe·‘ā·šān wəḵe‘āšānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts