Overview
The Bible addresses volcanoes across 15 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, Psalms and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Mountains, Mountain, Edomites, the and Nahum.
Key Bible verses about volcanoes
Old Testament
Deuteronomy
And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. midst: Heb. heart
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
Psalms
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Isaiah
And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! the melting: Heb. the fire of meltings
When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Nahum
The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. abide: Heb. stand up
In the Bible dictionary
Studying volcanoes for yourself
- Begin with Deuteronomy 4:11, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Isaiah, Psalms and Deuteronomy each treat the theme.
- Widen the study to related themes: Mountains, Mountain, Edomites, the and Nahum.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about volcanoes?
The Bible addresses volcanoes across 15 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, Psalms and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Mountains, Mountain, Edomites, the and Nahum.
How many Bible verses are about volcanoes?
The Bible references volcanoes in 15 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention volcanoes?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Deuteronomy 4:11: “And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. midst: Heb. heart”
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