# consume, devour

## Definition:

The term “consume” literally means to use up something. It has several figurative meanings.

* In the Bible, the word “consume” often refers to destroying things or people.
* A fire is said to consume things, which means it destroys them by burning them up.
* God is described as a “consuming fire,” which is a description of his anger against sin. His anger results in terrible punishment for sinners who do not repent.
* To consume food means to eat or drink something.
* The phrase, “consume the land” could be translated as “destroy the land.”

## Translation Suggestions

* In the context of consuming the land or people, this term could be translated as “destroy.”
* When fire is referred to, “consume” could be translated as “burn up.”
* The burning bush that Moses saw “was not consumed” which could be translated as, “did not get burned up” or “did not burn up.”
* When referring to eating, “consume” could be translated as “eat” or “devour.”
* If someone’s strength is “consumed,” it means his strength is “used up” or “gone.”
* The expression, “God is a consuming fire” could be translated as, “God is like a fire that burns things up” or “God is angry against sin and will destroy sinners like a fire.”

(See also: [devour](../other/devour.md), [wrath](../kt/wrath.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Kings 18:38-40](rc://en/tn/help/1ki/18/38)
* [Deuteronomy 07:16](rc://en/tn/help/deu/07/16)
* [Jeremiah 03:23-25](rc://en/tn/help/jer/03/23)
* [Job 07:09](rc://en/tn/help/job/07/09)
* [Numbers 11:1-3](rc://en/tn/help/num/11/01)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H398, H402, H1086, H1104, H1197, H2628, H3615, H3617, H3857, H4529, H5595, H8046, H8552, G355, G2618, G2654, G2719, G5315
