KJV ORIGINAL
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Smoke rose from his nostrils, and fire poured from his mouth that destroyed everything. Hot coals were set ablaze by it.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse uses powerful imagery to describe God's fierce anger and judgment, picturing him like a mighty dragon breathing fire.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of David's song of praise in 2 Samuel 22, which appears almost identically in Psalm 18. David is using dramatic, poetic language to describe how God rescued him from his enemies, including King Saul who had pursued him for years. The imagery draws from ancient Near Eastern descriptions of divine beings as powerful, fire-breathing creatures who could destroy their enemies.
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