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נוּר (nur)

nur

fire

H5135 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 14 verses

A:N

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
14 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
A:N

Definition

Definition

fire

Brown-Driver-Briggs

נוּר 17 n.f. et m. fire

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

fire

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word nur simply means fire, but in Scripture it carries a heavy weight of presence and power. It is not just a destructive force; it is often the visible sign of God’s nearness. In Daniel 3, the burning fiery furnace becomes the place where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego discover that God can walk with them even in the hottest trials. The fire does not burn them because His presence surrounds them.

We also see this word in Daniel 7, describing the throne of the Ancient of Days. Here, fire represents purity and judgment. It shows us that God is holy and cannot tolerate sin, yet He is also a consuming fire who protects those who trust in Him. This duality reminds us that while His holiness demands justice, His love offers refuge.

When you face situations that feel overwhelming or dangerous, remember that the same God who sat on a throne of fire also walked in the flames with three faithful men. You are not alone in your trials. His presence can transform a place of fear into a place of witness and peace.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • fire/ the13×
  • fire3×
  • [were] fire1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • נוּרָ֖/א5×
  • נוּרָֽ/א\׃2×
  • נ֔וּר2×
  • נוּרָ֧/א1×
  • נוּרָ֥/א1×
  • נוּרָ֣/א1×
  • נוּרָ֜/א1×
  • נוּרָ֔/א1×
  • נוּרָ/א֙1×
  • נ֥וּר1×
  • נ֗וּר1×

Key Verses

  • Daniel 3:17
    If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

    This verse highlights the theological confidence that God is able to deliver from the nur, establishing faith before the miracle occurs.

  • Daniel 3:25
    He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

    The appearance of a fourth figure in the fire demonstrates that God’s presence accompanies believers even when they are bound and suffering.

  • Daniel 7:9
    “I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was Ancient of Days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.

    Here nur describes the throne itself, symbolizing the absolute holiness and sovereign authority of the Ancient of Days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word nur mean?

Nur (Strong's H5135) is a straightforward noun meaning 'fire.' It appears 14 times in the Old Testament, primarily in the book of Daniel to describe literal furnaces or divine thrones.

Why is fire used so much in Daniel?

In Daniel, fire serves as a dramatic backdrop for God’s sovereignty. In chapter 3, it tests the faith of believers; in chapter 7, it depicts the majesty and judgment of God. It shows that no earthly power can withstand divine authority.

Is there a difference between the fire in Daniel 3 and Daniel 7?

Yes. In Daniel 3, the fire is an instrument of human persecution that God turns into a place of deliverance. In Daniel 7, the fire is part of God’s throne, representing His holy nature and readiness to judge.

Every Occurrence (14 verses across 1 books)

Daniel 14 verses
Daniel 3:6

Whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall be cast into the middle of a burning fiery furnace the same hour.”

Daniel 3:11

and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall be cast into the middle of a burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:15

Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music…

Daniel 3:17

If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out…

Daniel 3:20

He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the…

Daniel 3:21

Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other clothes, and were cast into…

Daniel 3:22

Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those…

Daniel 3:23

These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:24

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and rose up in haste. He spoke and said to his counselors, “Didn’t we cast…

Daniel 3:25

He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of…

Daniel 3:26

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and…

Daniel 3:27

The local governors, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these…

Daniel 7:9

“I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was Ancient of Days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair…

Daniel 7:10

A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten…