Definition: There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 22:9. It’s a really interesting and somewhat surprising passage! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes God being incredibly angered or upset – almost like he’s having a fiery outburst. Let’s unpack the details: "There went up a smoke out of his nostrils..." - Think of smoke as a feeling of distress, anger, or even pain. This is describing something inside God that was burning intensely. "...and fire out of his mouth devoured:" – This means fire erupted from God’s mouth, like a powerful explosion of heat and intensity. "Coals were kindled by it." - Coals are small pieces of coal or charcoal. So, this is saying that the intense heat caused by the fire started something – maybe a spark, an idea, or even a situation. What does it mean in a broader sense? The Bible often uses figurative language to describe God's emotions and actions. This verse suggests: God is powerful: He has immense power and can express his feelings through intense events. He’s reactive: He isn't just passively existing; he reacts to things, especially when those things are upsetting him. His anger is a force: It’s not just about feeling bad; it's a powerful and visible manifestation of his being. It’s important to note: This verse isn’t meant to be taken literally as a person throwing a tantrum. It’s a metaphorical way of describing God’s emotional state when he feels challenged or provoked. In short, it describes a moment of intense frustration and possibly a powerful outburst from God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the meaning behind this specific verse in more detail? Connect this verse to a particular theme or story in the Bible (like the story of Job)?