שָׂלַק (na.saq)
na.saq
to kindle
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb salaq means to kindle or set something on fire. It appears in only two verses of Scripture, both found in the prophetic and poetic books. In these contexts, it describes the act of igniting a blaze, often with intense emotional or judicial weight.
In Psalm 78:65, the text uses the Niphal form to say that the Lord "awoke" as one waking from sleep, and "like a warrior drunk with wine," He put His enemies to rout. The image of fire being kindled here parallels divine anger or intervention. Similarly, in Isaiah 9:18 (Hebrew 9:17), the phrase "the fire shall devour the thorns and briers" uses the Hiphil form, indicating that the Lord causes the fire to burn. This usage highlights God’s active role in executing judgment.
The word carries a sense of sudden, powerful ignition. It is not used for gentle warmth but for consuming flame. Its rare occurrence underscores its dramatic function in Scripture, marking moments when divine action breaks into human history with force and clarity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word salaq describes the sudden act of kindling a fire. In Scripture, this is not about lighting a candle for comfort but igniting a blaze with serious intent. When used of God, it signals that His attention has shifted from patience to action. It reminds us that He hears our struggles and responds with power, sometimes in ways we do not expect.
For your faith, this word offers a sobering hope. You are not ignored by a distant deity. The same God who kindles fire against injustice is also the one who sees your pain. His anger is real, but it is directed at what breaks His heart and harms His people. This means your suffering matters to Him deeply.
When you face situations where justice seems delayed, remember that God’s timing is precise. He does not rush into wrath without cause, nor does He leave evil unchecked forever. Trusting in His sovereignty brings peace, knowing that He will handle what you cannot carry alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it was kindled1×
- he kindles a fire1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִשְּׂקָ֣ה1×
- יַשִּׂ֖יק1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 78:21
Therefore Yahweh heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel,
This verse shows the word describing God's anger as a fire kindled against Jacob, linking divine judgment directly to His response to Israel's rebellion.
-
Isaiah 44:15
Then it will be for a man to burn; and he takes some of it and warms himself. Yes, he burns it and bakes bread. Yes, he makes a god and worships it; he makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.
Here the word illustrates human action in using wood for warmth and idolatry, highlighting the contrast between creating a god from fire and the true God who uses fire for judgment.