Lexical Summary lahab: Flame, blade, flash Original Word: לַהַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance blade, bright, flame, glittering From an usused root meaning to gleam; a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of a weapon -- blade, bright, flame, glittering. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition flame, blade NASB Translation blade (2), flame (6), flames (1), flashing (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs לַ֫הַב noun masculine flame, blade; — ׳ל absolute Judges 3:22,22 2t.; construct Judges 13:20 5t.; plural לְהָבִים Isaiah 13:8; construct לַהֲבֵי Isaiah 66:15; — 1 flame of altar, Judges 13:20 (twice in verse) הַמִּזְבֵּחַׅ ׳(ל) אֵשׁ אוֺכְלָה ׳ל, of ׳יs is judgement Isaiah 29:6; Isaiah 30:30; Isaiah 66:15 (in all "" forces of nature, whirlwind, thunder, earthquake, rain, hail, etc.); figurative מְּנֵיהֶם ׳מְּנֵי ל Isaiah 13:8 (i.e. hot with excitement, compare Di); simile Joel 2:5 אֵשׁ ׳כְּקוֺל ל (of rush of locusts); figurative of breath of crocodile Job 41:13. 2 of flashing point of spear Job 39:23; blade of sword Nahum 3:3; in prose, Judges 3:22 (twice in verse). Topical Lexicon Flame and Fiery ManifestationsThe first and most obvious nuance of לַהַב is a literal flame. When the Angel of the LORD ascended “in the flame of the altar” (Judges 13:20), the narrative unites heavenly messenger and earthly sacrifice in a single column of fire. The word underscores both the reality of the burnt offering and the truly supernatural origin of the visitor. This same literal sense appears in Job 41:21, where Leviathan breathes out fire that “kindles coals, and a flame goes forth from his mouth.” In each case לַהַב signals combustible, visible heat—an uncontrollable power belonging either to the LORD or to one of His awe-inspiring creatures. Symbol of Divine Presence and Judgment Fire in Scripture is inseparable from holiness and judgment. Isaiah layers vision upon vision of incoming wrath in which לַהַב is the operative term. • “You will be visited by the LORD of Hosts… and a flame of consuming fire” (Isaiah 29:6). Here לַהַב does not merely describe brightness; it embodies retribution. The prophet’s vocabulary reminds the reader that divine visitation is purifying for the faithful yet destructive for the unrepentant. The authority of these oracles reverberates into the New Testament teaching on final judgment “in blazing fire” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8), preserving canonical unity. Instrument of Deliverance and Warfare In Judges 3:22 Ehud’s dagger disappears into Eglon’s belly; the narrative calls the blade a לַהַב, picturing it as a tongue of fire that extinguishes oppression. The same imagery is militarized in later poetry: • “The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the shield” (Job 39:23). The “flashing” of spear or sword evokes the glint of sunlight on steel—a momentary blaze that signals imminent death. Scripture thus portrays לַהַב as both a covenantal weapon in God’s hand and an earthly tool of combat. In redemptive history the motif reaches fulfillment in the portrayal of Christ, “out of whose mouth comes a sharp double-edged sword” (Revelation 19:15), the final avenger against all wickedness. Imagery of Human Emotion and Agony Isaiah 13:8 moves the term from objective flame to subjective experience: “They will look at one another in astonishment, their faces aflame.” Terror turns cheeks into burning embers. The language invites reflection on sin’s internal consequences—shame and dread that scorch before a single external judgment falls. The pastoral implication is clear: repentance should precede the day when internal anguish becomes externalized in the final fire. Apocalyptic Soundscape Joel 2:5 employs לַהַב to build the auditory canvas of the day of the LORD: “With a noise like that of chariots… like the crackling flame of fire consuming stubble.” The word pictures a roaring wildfire advancing with unstoppable momentum. The prophet’s simile offers a sensory preview of eschatological upheaval, prompting watchfulness among believers and evangelistic urgency toward the lost. Historical Resonance Ancient Israel lived in an agrarian context where fire was both ally and adversary—clearing fields yet threatening homes. Writers could therefore assume an immediate emotional response when referencing לַהַב. In warfare, polished bronze and iron caught the sun, flickering like miniature torches across battle lines. The image served poets and prophets alike, endowing their messages with visceral impact long before electric light existed. Ministry Significance 1. Revelation of Holiness: Whenever Scripture shows God in or above the flame, holiness is on display. Ministry that neglects divine holiness risks domesticating God. Theological Reflection לַהַב threads together altar-flame, weapon-flash, prophetic fury, and even the blush of human fear, testifying to the unity of divine revelation. Fire is both salvation and condemnation depending on covenant standing. From the burning altar in Judges to the eschatological blaze in Isaiah, the Bible’s portrayal of flame moves in a straight line toward the New Jerusalem, where “the glory of God gives it light” (Revelation 21:23)—a radiance that requires no consuming flame because sin and death have been abolished. Thus לַהַב ultimately points beyond itself to the uncreated light of God’s eternal presence. Forms and Transliterations בְּלַ֣הַב בְּלַהֲבֵי־ בלהב בלהבי־ הַלַּ֔הַב הַלַּ֗הַב הַלַּ֜הַב הלהב וְ֝לַ֗הַב וְלַ֖הַב וְלַ֤הַב ולהב לְהָבִ֖ים לַ֖הַב לַ֣הַב להב להבים bə·la·hă·ḇê- bə·la·haḇ bəlahaḇ bəlahăḇê- beLahav belahavei hal·la·haḇ hallahaḇ halLahav la·haḇ lahaḇ Lahav lə·hā·ḇîm ləhāḇîm lehaVim veLahav wə·la·haḇ wəlahaḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 3:22 HEB: הַנִּצָּ֜ב אַחַ֣ר הַלַּ֗הַב וַיִּסְגֹּ֤ר הַחֵ֙לֶב֙ NAS: in after the blade, and the fat KJV: after the blade; and the fat INT: the handle after the blade closed and the fat Judges 3:22 Judges 13:20 Judges 13:20 Job 39:23 Job 41:21 Isaiah 13:8 Isaiah 29:6 Isaiah 30:30 Isaiah 66:15 Joel 2:5 Nahum 3:3 12 Occurrences |
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