Leviticus 9:24

“And there came a fire out from before the Lord, etc.] Either from heaven, or from the holy of holies, where was the symbol of the divine Presence, and Jehovah had now took up his residence: and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering, and the fat; according to Aben Ezra, the burnt offering of Aaron, and of the people, and of the daily sacrifice, for so it is written, besides the burnt offering of the morning, (<030917>Leviticus 9:17) and the fat of the calf and ram of Aaron, and of the goat, ox, and ram of the people, which though they were laid upon the altar at the time of their offering, yet it is thought by some they were not burnt till now: it is a conjecture of Bishop Patrick’s,…”

“there came a fire out from . . . the Lord--A flame emanating from that resplendent light that filled the holy place flashed upon the brazen altar and kindled the sacrifices. This miraculous fire--for the descent of which the people had probably been prepared, and which the priests were enjoined never to let go out (Lev 6:13) --was a sign, not only of the acceptance of the offerings and of the establishment of Aaron's authority, but of God's actual residence in that chosen dwelling-place. The moment the solemn though welcome spectacle was seen, a simultaneous shout of joy and gratitude burst from the assembled congregation, and in the attitude of profoundest reverence they worshipped "a…”

“The very ancient Jewish tradition has been widely adopted that the sacred fire of the altar originated in this divine act, and that it was afterward preserved on the altar of the tabernacle until the dedication of the temple, when fire again “came down from heaven.” 2 Chronicles 7:1. But according to the sacred narrative the altar-fire had been lighted in a natural way before this occasion. (Compare Leviticus 8:16; Leviticus 9:10, Leviticus 9:13, etc.; Exodus 40:29.) It would therefore seem that the fire which “came out from before the Lord” manifested itself, according to the words of Leviticus 9:24, not in kindling the fuel on the altar, but in the sudden consuming of the victim. For the…”

“And there came a fire - In token of God's approbation of the priesthood now instituted, and the sacrifices offered, and consequently of others of the like nature. And this fire now given was to be carefully kept, and not suffered to go out, Lev 6:13, and therefore was carried in a peculiar vessel in their journeys in the wilderness. From before the Lord - Or, from the presence of the Lord, that is, from the place where God was in a special manner present, either from heaven or from the holy of holies. They shouted - As wondering at, rejoicing in, and blessing God for this gracious discovery of himself, and his favour. This also was a figure of good things to come. Thus the Spirit descended…”

“9:24 Fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence, indicating that God had accepted the offerings, the atonement, and the priesthood (9:7; cp. 1 Kgs 18:36-38).”

“there came a fire: These victims were consumed by a fire of no human kindling. Josephus says that "a fire proceeded from the victims themselves, of its own accord, which had the appearance of a flash of lightning, and consumed all that was upon the altar." Lev 6:13; Gen 4:3, Gen 4:4, Gen 15:17; Exo 3:2; Jdg 6:21, Jdg 13:19, Jdg 13:20, Jdg 13:23; Kg1 18:38; Kg2 19:15; Ch1 21:26; Ch2 6:2, Ch2 7:1-3; Psa 20:3, Psa 20:4, Psa 80:1 \*marg. they shouted: Gen 17:3; Num 14:5, Num 16:22; Kg1 18:39; Ch2 7:3; Ezr 3:11; Mat 26:39; Rev 4:9, Rev 5:8, Rev 7:11 Next: Leviticus Chapter 10”