Burning Bush

The Burning Bush is a biblical image from the Book of Exodus in which Moses encounters a bush that burns without being consumed.

The Burning Bush is a biblical image from the Book of Exodus in which Moses encounters a bush that burns without being consumed. In Jewish and Christian tradition, it is understood as a theophany, or visible manifestation of God, and as the moment when God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The Burning Bush is a foundational biblical story studied in Canadian Jewish and Christian communities and in religious education, theology, and comparative religion courses across Canada.

Biblical account

The Burning Bush is described in Exodus 3, where Moses sees a bush on fire that is not consumed. From within it, God speaks to Moses and sends him to free the Israelites from Egypt. The scene includes Moses being told to remove his sandals, indicating reverence in the presence of the divine.

Jewish interpretation

In Jewish tradition, the burning bush is linked to God’s presence with Israel, divine protection, and the promise of deliverance. Some interpretations also see it as a symbol of Israel’s survival amid suffering. Some Jewish sources interpret the bush as symbolizing Israel’s endurance under oppression or the altar’s perpetual fire.

Christian interpretation

Christian writers generally understand the burning bush as a theophany, emphasizing God’s holiness and direct self-revelation. It is commonly treated as a sign of divine holiness and revelation. Some traditions also read it typologically in relation to later Christian theology.

Symbolism

The image is often used to represent holiness, divine calling, and the paradox of fire that does not destroy. It has also been read as a sign that sacred revelation can occur in an ordinary place. The instruction to remove sandals underscores the reverence required in the presence of the divine.