Esh (אֵשׁ) is the standard Hebrew word for fire. Fire in Scripture is among the most versatile and theologically loaded images: it represents God's holiness and consuming presence (Deuteronomy 4:24), the sign of His covenant (Genesis 15), His guidance (the pillar of fire, Exodus 13), prophetic power (Jeremiah 20:9), divine judgment, and the testing and purification of faith.
God Himself is described as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29; Deuteronomy 4:24), and His Spirit comes at Pentecost as tongues of fire (Acts 2:3). Fire judges (Revelation 20:14-15), refines (1 Peter 1:7), and illuminates. Every major biblical encounter with God involves fire — Moses at the burning bush, Elijah on Carmel, the seraphim before the throne. Fire is the language of theophany.