"Smoke in a good sense denotes the adoration of prayer that ascends to the throne of God, as in Rev. 8:3–4, “There was given to him much incense, which represents the prayers of the saints … and the smoke of the incense (that is, the petitions of the prayers) rose up from the hand of the angel.” In Song of Sol. 3:6 we read: “What is that coming up like a column of smoke arising from aromatic spices, from myrrh and frankincense?” For prayer, especially earnest prayer, is the ascent of the mind to God. On the contrary, smoke used in a bad sense is blasphemy and insolence against the Most High and superiors, as in Rev. 14:11 and 19:3: “And the smoke of their torments (that is, the blasphemy of the damned) goes up.” Also Ps. 104:32: “Who touches the mountains, and they smoke,” that is, He strikes down the proud, and they are filled with rage and wrath. Thus an angry person breathes smoke from his nostrils and snorts like an enraged horse."
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