ע֣וֹד ׀ זֶ֣ה מְדַבֵּ֗ר וְזֶה֮ בָּ֣א וַיֹּאמַר֒ אֵ֣שׁ אֱלֹהִ֗ים נָֽפְלָה֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַתִּבְעַ֥ר בַּצֹּ֛אן וּבַנְּעָרִ֖ים וַתֹּאכְלֵ֑ם וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק־אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ׃
Selagi orang itu masih berbicara, datanglah orang lain dan berkata, “Api Allah turun dari langit, lalu membakar kambing domba dan para pelayan dan menghanguskan mereka. Hanya aku seorang diri yang berhasil lolos untuk memberitahukannya kepadamu.”
Rabbeinu Bahya
I believe that there is a common denominator between the creatures of the atmosphere and those of the element fire, seeing that in introducing them the Torah used the expression אלה, “these,” and ואלה, “and these,” respectively (compare 11,13 and 11,31). The very word אלה has a spiritual connotation as it is the singular of the word אלה-ים. The last two letters in the word אלהים are simply plural ending. What the Torah alludes to by using the word אלה in connection with the creatures whose habitat is the atmosphere or fire is that both these two elements are devoid of substance, not really tangible. This is the reason that they appear so often in connection with the word אלהים. The idea is that the less tangible something is the closer it is to celestial domains rather than terrestrial domains. The word אלה occurred when the people who asked the Israelites to worship the golden calf said: אלה אלוהיך ישראל,”these” are your gods o Israel, a call to idolatry. You are no doubt familiar with certain nations who worship fire and wind respectively. They do so because they realise the lack of physical substance of both of these elements. By serving them they hope to benefit by increased success and good fortune.
Rabbeinu Bahya
Rabbi Ami (Berachot 9), commenting on the repeated words ענני, claims that Elijah asked for two responses. He wanted a demonstration of heavenly fire which should consume the prophets of the Baal together with the offerings. His second request was that the people watching should not consider what was going to happen as a form of witchcraft.
Now to the six occasions when heavenly fire represented signs of G’d’s anger or displeasure: The first such instance occurred here when Nadav and Avihu were killed by heavenly fire as we read in 10,2. The second incident occurred in Numbers 11,1 when the Israelites complained for no apparent reason. The destructive fire on that occasion stopped only in response to Moses’ prayer. The third instance occurred during the uprising of Korach and Datan and Aviram. We are told in Numbers 16,35 that “fire came forth from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who had offered incense” which had been rejected. The fourth such incident is reported in Job 1,16 where heavenly fire falling down and killing boys and sheep is mentioned. Both the fifth and sixth incidents occurred in connection with Elijah who called down such fire to burn the detachment of a captain and 50 soldiers whose task it was to capture him (Kings II 1,10 and 10,12). The reason that these people were punished was the arrogance they displayed vis-a-vis the accredited prophet of G’d. [The third detachment was spared as the captain related to Elijah with deference. Ed.]
Now to the six occasions when heavenly fire represented signs of G’d’s anger or displeasure: The first such instance occurred here when Nadav and Avihu were killed by heavenly fire as we read in 10,2. The second incident occurred in Numbers 11,1 when the Israelites complained for no apparent reason. The destructive fire on that occasion stopped only in response to Moses’ prayer. The third instance occurred during the uprising of Korach and Datan and Aviram. We are told in Numbers 16,35 that “fire came forth from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who had offered incense” which had been rejected. The fourth such incident is reported in Job 1,16 where heavenly fire falling down and killing boys and sheep is mentioned. Both the fifth and sixth incidents occurred in connection with Elijah who called down such fire to burn the detachment of a captain and 50 soldiers whose task it was to capture him (Kings II 1,10 and 10,12). The reason that these people were punished was the arrogance they displayed vis-a-vis the accredited prophet of G’d. [The third detachment was spared as the captain related to Elijah with deference. Ed.]