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fı̄r (×ש×, 'eÌ„sh; πῦÏ, puÌr): These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'UÌ„r, “light†( the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); , and see FIRES), nuÌ„r (Aramaic) () are found a few times, also 'eshshaÌ„h (), and be‛eÌ„raÌ„h (), once each. , has puraÌ, “pyre,†and ; , phō̇s, “light,†the Revised Version (British and American) “in the light (of the fire).†“To set on fire,†yaÌ„cath (), laÌ„hatÌ£ (, etc.), phlogıÌzoÌ„ ().
Fire was regarded by primitive peoples as supernatural in origin and specially Divine. Molech, the fire-god, and other deities were worshipped by certain Canaanitish and other tribes with human sacrifices (; ; ), and, although this was specially forbidden to the Israelites (; ; ), they too often lapsed into the practice (; ; ; , ). See MOLECH; IDOLATRY.
1. Literal Usage
Fire in the Old Testament is specially associated with the Divine presence, e.g. in the making of the Covenant with Abraham (), in the burning bush. (-4), in the pillar of fire (), on Sinai (), in the flame on the altar (). Yahweh was “the God that answereth by fire†(, ). In the Law, therefore, sacrifices and offerings (including incense) were to be made by fire (, , ; Lev 1). Fire from Yahweh signified the acceptance of certain special and separate sacrifices (; ; ). In the sacrificial fire “came forth from before Yahweh.†The altar-fire was to be kept continually burning (, ); offering by “strange fire†(other than the sacred altar-fire) was punished by “fire from before Yahweh†(, ). Fire came from heaven also at the consecration of Solomon's Temple ().
According to 2 Macc 1:19-22, at the time of the Captivity priests hid the sacred fire in a well, and Nehemiah found it again, in a miraculous way, for the second Temple. Later, Maccabeus is said to have restored the fire by “striking stones and taking fire out of them†().
Fire was a frequent instrument of the Divine primitive wrath (; (lightning); ; , etc.; , the American Standard Revised Version “Who maketh ... flames of fire his ministersâ€). Fire shall yet dissolve the world (). It was frequently used by the Israelites as a means of destruction of idolatrous objects and the cities of their enemies (, ; ; ; ; Jgs, frequently); sometimes also of punishment (; ; ; 2 Macc 7:5).
The domestic use of fire was, as among other peoples, for heating, cooking, lighting, etc., but according to the Law no fire could be kindled on the Sabbath day (). It was employed also for melting (), and refining (; , , etc.). For the sacrificial fire wood was used as fuel (, ; ); for ordinary purposes, also charcoal (; , the Revised Version, margin “or hot stoneâ€; , the Revised Version (British and American) “fiery bolts,†margin “or burning coalsâ€; , “a fire of coals†the Revised Version, margin “Gr, a fire of charcoalâ€; ); branches (; ); thorns (; ; ; ); grass and other herbage (; ).
2. Figurative Use
Fire was an emblem (1) of Yahweh in His glory (); (2) in His holiness (); (3) in His jealousy for His sole worship (; ; ; perhaps also ); (4) of His protection of His people (; ); (5) of His righteous judgment and purification (; , ; , ); (6) of His wrath against sin and punishment of the wicked (; ; ; ; , “a Topheth is prepared of oldâ€; -12; , the Revised Version (British and American) “the hell of fire,†margin “Greek, Gehenna of fireâ€; see ; ; , ; , “eternal fireâ€; -49; see ; ; ; ); (7) of the word of God in its power (; ); (8) of Divine truth (; ; ); (9) of that which guides men (, ); (10) of the Holy Spirit (); (11) of the glorified Christ (); (12) of kindness in its melting power (); (13) of trial and suffering (; ; 1 Pet 17; ); (14) of evil (; ; ; ); lust or desire (; Sirach 23:16; ); greed (); (15) of the tongue in its evil aspects (, ); (16) of heaven in its purity and glory (; see also , ).