2 Kings 2:11
11. behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire—some bright effulgence, which, in the eyes of the spectators, resembled those objects.
went up by a whirlwind—a tempest or storm wind accompanied with vivid flashes of fire, figuratively used for the divine judgments (Isa 29:6). 2 Kings 6:17
17. Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see—The invisible guard of angels that encompass and defend us (Ps 34:7). The opening of the eyes, which Elisha prayed for, were those of the Spirit, not of the body—the eye of faith sees the reality of the divine presence and protection where all is vacancy or darkness to the ordinary eye. The horses and chariots were symbols of the divine power (see on 2Ki 2:12); and their fiery nature denoted their supernatural origin; for fire, the most ethereal of earthly elements, is the most appropriate symbol of the Godhead [KEIL].
2Ki 6:18-23. HIS ARMY SMITTEN WITH BLINDNESS.
Ezekiel 1:13
13. likeness . . . appearance—not tautology. "Likeness" expresses the general form; "appearance," the particular aspect.
coals of fire—denoting the intensely pure and burning justice wherewith God punishes by His angels those who, like Israel, have hardened themselves against His long-suffering. So in Isa 6:2, 6, instead of cherubim, the name "seraphim," the burning ones, is applied, indicating God's consuming righteousness; whence their cry to Him is, "Holy! holy! holy!" and the burning coal is applied to his lips, for the message through his mouth was to be one of judicial severance of the godly from the ungodly, to the ruin of the latter. lamps—torches. The fire emitted sparks and flashes of light, as torches do. went up and down—expressing the marvellous vigor of God's Spirit, in all His movements never resting, never wearied. fire . . . bright—indicating the glory of God. out of the fire . . . lightning—God's righteousness will at last cause the bolt of His wrath to fall on the guilty; as now, on Jerusalem. Matthew 28:3
3. His countenance—appearance.
was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow—the one expressing the glory, the other the purity of the celestial abode from which he came.