Lexical Summary esh or eshsha: fire Original Word: אֵשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance flame (Aramaic) corresponding to 'esh -- flame. see HEBREW 'esh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to esh Definition a fire NASB Translation fire (1). Topical Lexicon Overview The word אֵשׁ occurs once in the Hebrew-Aramaic text of the Old Testament, appearing in Daniel 7:11 to describe the “blazing fire” that consumes the fourth beast in Daniel’s night vision. Though the term itself is rare in Aramaic, the concept of divine fire is woven throughout the canonical narrative. In Daniel it functions as an eschatological sign of God’s final judgment, seamlessly harmonizing with earlier Mosaic theology and later New Testament prophecy. The Apocalyptic Setting in Daniel Daniel 7 unveils a series of four world kingdoms climaxing in a blasphemous “little horn.” In verse 11 Daniel testifies, “I continued to watch until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.” The fire issues from the heavenly court where “a river of fire was flowing, coming out from before Him” (Daniel 7:10). The single use of אֵשׁ therefore anchors the vision in a throne-room setting: God is both Judge and Executioner, and His judgment is immediate, public, and irreversible. Fire as Divine Judgement Within Scripture, fire repeatedly symbolizes God’s judicial activity: Daniel 7:11 continues this line by portraying the fourth beast’s destruction as a divine sentence, not a mere political accident. The horn’s arrogant speech provokes the court, and the fire enforces the verdict. Fire as Throne-Room Imagery Ezekiel 1:27, Isaiah 6:6, and Revelation 4:5 each depict fire in proximity to God’s throne, highlighting His holiness and unapproachable light. Daniel’s vision matches this pattern—before any earthly empire collapses, the blazing presence of God is revealed. The consuming fire therefore signifies the majesty of the Ancient of Days and the moral purity that cannot tolerate sin. Prophetic Continuity from Daniel to Revelation Revelation revisits Daniel’s motif: The New Testament thus completes the trajectory begun in Daniel, assuring believers that God will vindicate His name and people. Historical and Theological Reception Second Temple literature (e.g., 1 Enoch 52) elaborated on fiery judgment, influenced by Daniel’s imagery. Church fathers such as Irenaeus and Hippolytus linked Daniel 7 to Revelation’s lake of fire, affirming a coherent eschatology. Reformers maintained the same reading, viewing the vision as a prophecy of Christ’s eventual victory over antichristian powers. Pastoral and Ministry Considerations 1. Warning: Daniel’s solitary use of אֵשׁ underscores the certainty of judgment for all who persist in pride and rebellion. Key Related Passages Genesis 19:24; Leviticus 10:2; Deuteronomy 4:24; 2 Kings 1:10-12; Isaiah 66:15-16; Ezekiel 1:27; Daniel 7:9-11; Matthew 13:41-42; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10. Forms and Transliterations אֶשָּֽׁא׃ אשא׃ ’eš·šā ’eššā eshShaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 7:11 HEB: וִיהִיבַ֖ת לִיקֵדַ֥ת אֶשָּֽׁא׃ NAS: and given to the burning fire. KJV: and given to the burning flame. INT: and given to the burning fire |