The people speak of the earth as if it were alive. AT: "The earth might open up and we too will fall into it" or "If the earth opens up again, we too will fall into it and be buried" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
# fire flashed out from Yahweh and devoured the 250 men
Being destroyed by fire is spoken of as if they were eaten by the fire. AT: "fire flashed out from Yahweh and destroyed the 250 men" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
# 250 men
"two hundred and fifty men" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])