עָשֵׁן (a.shen)
a.shen
smoking
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun a.shen refers to smoke or fumes rising from a burning source. It appears only twice in the entire Old Testament, both within the dramatic narrative of Exodus where God descends upon Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18; 20:18). In these contexts, the word describes the physical manifestation of divine presence, linking the visible phenomenon to the power and holiness of Yahweh.
While the lexicon data provided is sparse, the biblical usage anchors this term in a specific theological image. The smoke serves as a tangible sign of God’s nearness, creating an atmosphere of awe and reverence among the Israelites. It is not merely atmospheric detail but a symbol of the overwhelming glory that makes direct encounter with the divine both majestic and terrifying.
Translators typically render this word simply as "smoke," preserving its literal sense without adding metaphorical layers. The rarity of the term highlights its potency; when it does appear, it marks a pivotal moment of revelation where heaven touches earth through fire and fumes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word a.shen describes smoke rising from a fire, appearing only twice in the Old Testament. In Exodus, it marks the moment God descends on Mount Sinai, creating an atmosphere of awe and reverence. This physical sign reminds us that God is both near and holy, bridging heaven and earth.
When we encounter difficulties, this image invites us to remember that God’s presence is real and powerful. The smoke does not hide Him but reveals His majesty. We can find comfort in knowing that the same God who appeared in fire and fumes walks with us through our own trials.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- smoking1×
- <the>/ smoking1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָשֵׁ֑ן1×
- הָ/עֲשֵׁנִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 20:18
All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance.
This verse captures the people's trembling response to the visible sign of God's holy presence on Sinai.
-
Isaiah 7:4
Tell him, ‘Be careful, and keep calm. Don’t be afraid, neither let your heart be faint because of these two tails of smoking torches, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
Here the term is used metaphorically to describe weak threats, contrasting human fear with God's greater power.