This is one way of understanding the 'eternity' of 'eternal fire'. Time and again God's anger with the sins of Jerusalem and Israel is likened to fire: "Mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place (Jerusalem)...it shall burn, and shall not be quenched" (Jer. 7:20; other examples include Lam. 4:11 and 2 Kings 22:17).
Mara kwa mara hasira ya Mungu kwa dhambi ya Yerusalemu na Israeli imefananishwa na moto: "Hasira yangu na ghadhabu yangu zitamwagwa juu ya mahali hapa (Yerusalemu) …… nayo itateketea, isizimike" (Yer. 7:20; mifano mingine inajumuisha omb. 4:11 na 2 Fal. 22:17).