The term "kindleth" is an archaic form of the verb "kindle," which means to ignite, set on fire, or arouse. In the context of the Bible, "kindleth" often refers to the act of igniting a physical fire or stirring up emotions, such as anger or zeal. The usage of "kindleth" is found in various passages throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both literal and metaphorical applications.

Biblical References:

1. Literal Fire:
· In the Old Testament, "kindleth" is frequently used in the context of lighting a fire for sacrifices or offerings. For example, in Leviticus 6:12 , it is written, "The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it." Here, the act of kindling the fire is a crucial part of maintaining the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites.

2. Divine Wrath:
· The term is also used metaphorically to describe the arousal of God's anger. In Deuteronomy 32:22 , it states, "For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, devouring the earth and its produce and setting ablaze the foundations of the mountains." This passage illustrates the intensity and consuming nature of divine wrath when provoked by human disobedience and idolatry.

3. Human Emotions:
· "Kindleth" can also refer to the stirring up of human emotions, such as jealousy or zeal. Proverbs 26:21 provides a vivid image: "As charcoal to embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife." This proverb highlights how certain behaviors can ignite discord and conflict among people, much like how fuel feeds a fire.

4. Spiritual Zeal:
· In a positive sense, "kindleth" can describe the awakening of spiritual fervor or zeal. While not directly using the term "kindleth," the concept is evident in passages that encourage believers to maintain their spiritual passion. For instance, 2 Timothy 1:6 exhorts, "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." This metaphorical use of fire signifies the need to nurture and sustain one's spiritual gifts and enthusiasm for the work of the Lord.

Theological Significance:

The concept of "kindleth" in the Bible underscores the dual nature of fire as both a destructive and purifying force. In the context of divine judgment, fire represents God's holiness and justice, consuming sin and rebellion. Conversely, in the context of worship and spiritual life, fire symbolizes the presence of God, the Holy Spirit's work, and the believer's fervent devotion.

The act of kindling, whether it be a literal fire on the altar or the metaphorical fire of zeal within the heart, serves as a reminder of the need for intentionality in one's relationship with God. Just as a fire requires fuel and attention to remain burning, so too does one's faith require nurturing through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and active participation in the life of the Church.

In summary, "kindleth" in the biblical sense encompasses both the physical act of lighting a fire and the spiritual act of stirring emotions or zeal. It serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the dynamics of divine interaction with humanity and the believer's responsibility to maintain a vibrant and active faith.

The Tongue.
... Preached April 28, 1850. THE TONGUE. "Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

James iii. 3-8
... Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold
how great a matter [forest] a little fire kindleth! And ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james iii 8-mar.htm

Awake! Awake!
... and slanders; and Jude lifts up his hand and exclaims, when he looks upon the evils
caused by sin, "Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth." And then ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/awake awake.htm

"By the Assay of this Falling we Shall have an High Marvellous ...
... He kindleth our understanding, He directeth our ways, He easeth our conscience,
He comforteth our soul, He lighteneth our heart, and giveth us, in part ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxi by the assay.htm

How Jesus Christ, the Blessed One, at the Prayer of St Francis ...
... of the attributes of God, who sendeth his rain on the just and on the unjust; for
courtesy is the sister of charity, it extinguisheth hatred and kindleth love. ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxxvii how jesus christ.htm

Psalm CXXVII.
... He Himself buildeth, He Himself admonisheth, He Himself openeth the understanding,
He Himself kindleth your understanding unto faith; nevertheless, we also ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxvii.htm

Of the Care with which a Monk Should Preserve the Recollection of ...
... a fire, encompassed with flames, walk ye in the light of your fire and in the flames
which you have kindled;" and again: "He that kindleth iniquity, shall ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter ix of the care.htm

October 30 Evening
... is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter
a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/october 30 evening.htm

Rom. xii. 1
... that is grasping and rapacious, nor the feet that go lame and go to play-houses,
nor the belly that is the slave of self-indulgence, and kindleth lusts after ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xx rom xii 1.htm

Regeneration and Faith.
... the Spirit of God." And also the Confession, article 22: "We believe that to attain
the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Spirit kindleth in our ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiii regeneration and faith.htm

Kindleth (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kindleth (9 Occurrences). James 3 ... things. Behold,
how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (KJV WBS). Judges ...
/k/kindleth.htm - 9k

Kindles (6 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 44:15 Then a man useth it for fuel; and he taketh thereof, and warmeth himself;
yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and ...
/k/kindles.htm - 8k

Devoureth (27 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire; it devoureth the briers and thorns;
yea, it kindleth in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a ...
/d/devoureth.htm - 14k

Kindling (4 Occurrences)

/k/kindling.htm - 7k

Kindle (25 Occurrences)
... James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold,
how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (Root in KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/k/kindle.htm - 15k

Useth (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 44:15 Then shall it be for a man to burn; and he taketh thereof, and warmeth
himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread: yea, he maketh a god, and ...
/u/useth.htm - 8k

Olive-yard (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:5 and kindleth fire in the torches, and sendeth 'them' out into the standing
corn of the Philistines, and burneth 'it' from heap even unto standing ...
/o/olive-yard.htm - 7k

Warmeth (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 44:15 Then shall it be for a man to burn; and he taketh thereof, and warmeth
himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread: yea, he maketh a god, and ...
/w/warmeth.htm - 7k

Worshipeth (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 44:15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take of it, and warm
himself; indeed he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yes, he maketh a god, and ...
/w/worshipeth.htm - 8k

Issueth (2 Occurrences)
... smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. (WBS). Job 41:21 His breath
kindleth coals, and a flame issueth from his mouth. (WBS). ...
/i/issueth.htm - 6k

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