Bible Word Study
עָשֵׁן
ʻâshên · smoky
עָשֵׁן
smoky
Definition
The Hebrew noun עָשֵׁן (ʻâshên) means 'smoky' or 'smoking,' describing something that emits smoke or is characterized by smoke. In Exodus 20:18, it describes the mountain as 'smoking' (הָהָר עָשֵׁן) during God's theophany at Sinai, emphasizing a visible, awe-inspiring manifestation. In Isaiah 7:4, it is used metaphorically for the 'smoking firebrands' representing the weakened kings Rezin and Pekah, conveying something that is still burning but producing more smoke than destructive flame—a symbol of diminished threat.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament. In Exodus 20:18, it appears in a narrative context describing the physical phenomenon accompanying God's presence on Mount Sinai. In Isaiah 7:4, it is used in prophetic discourse as a vivid metaphor within a message of reassurance to King Ahaz. Both uses involve imagery of smoke, but one is literal (theophany) and the other figurative (political threat).
Etymology
Derived from the root עָשַׁן (ʻāshan, H6225), meaning 'to smoke' or 'to be smoky.' It is a primary adjective formed directly from this root, related to the noun עָשָׁן (ʻāshān, H6227) meaning 'smoke.' Cognates appear in other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic and Arabic, with similar meanings related to smoke or fume.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is directly tied to the manifestation of God's presence. In Exodus 20:18, the 'smoking' mountain visually communicates God's holiness, power, and otherness, evoking fear and reverence. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting how biblical theophanies often employ tangible, sensory imagery (sight, sound) to convey divine encounters. The metaphorical use in Isaiah 7:4 also shows how prophetic language draws from this physical reality to depict spiritual or political realities. In ancient Near Eastern culture, smoke was a common symbol for divine presence (e.g., in cloud or fire forms) and for altars of sacrifice. The 'smoking' mountain in Exodus would have been understood as a clear sign of a deity's activity, similar to motifs in other contemporary religions. The metaphor of a 'smoking firebrand' in Isaiah reflects an everyday understanding of a torch that is nearly spent—more smoke than flame—making the analogy of a fading threat immediately comprehensible. עָשָׁן (ʻāshān, H6227) — the noun 'smoke,' the substance itself, whereas עָשֵׁן describes something as being smoky or emitting smoke.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]