Fire: 12 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Christianity
1. General definition
See also

Introduction:

Fire means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.

Images (photo gallery)

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In Christianity

General definition (in Christianity)

Source: archive.org: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Fire definition and references: (1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Genesis 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Leviticus 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Exodus 29:18; Leviticus 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).

Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Leviticus 10:1, 2; Numbers 3:4).

The victims slain for sin offerings were afterwards consumed by fire outside the camp (Leviticus 4:12, 21; 6:30; 16:27; Hebrews 13:11).

(2.) For domestic purposes, such as baking, cooking, warmth, etc. (Jeremiah 36:22; Mark 14:54; John 18:18). But on Sabbath no fire for any domestic purpose was to be kindled (Exodus 35:3; Numbers 15:32-36).

(3.) Punishment of death by fire was inflicted on such as were guilty of certain forms of unchastity and incest (Leviticus 20:14; 21:9). The burning of captives in war was not unknown among the Jews (2 Samuel 12:31; Jeremiah 29:22). The bodies of infamous persons who were executed were also sometimes burned (Joshua 7:25; 2 Kings 23:16).

(4.) In war, fire was used in the destruction of cities, as Jericho (Joshua 6:24), Ai (8:19), Hazor (11:11), Laish (Judges 18:27), etc. The war-chariots of the Canaanites were burnt (Joshua 11:6, 9, 13). The Israelites burned the images (2 Kings 10:26; R.V., “pillars”) of the house of Baal. These objects of worship seem to have been of the nature of obelisks, and were sometimes evidently made of wood.

Torches were sometimes carried by the soldiers in battle (Judges 7:16).

(5.) Figuratively, fire is a symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power (Exodus 14:19; Numbers 11:1, 3; Judges 13:20; 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10, 12; 2:11; Isaiah 6:4; Ezekiel 1:4; Revelation 1:14, etc.).

God’s word is also likened unto fire (Jeremiah 23:29). It is referred to as an emblem of severe trials or misfortunes (Zechariah 12:6; Luke 12:49; 1 Corinthians 3:13, 15; 1 Peter 1:7), and of eternal punishment (Matthew 5:22; Mark 9:44; Revelation 14:10; 21:8).

The influence of the Holy Ghost is likened unto fire (Matthew 3:11). His descent was denoted by the appearance of tongues as of fire (Acts 2:3).

Source: archive.org: Smith's Bible Dictionary

Fire refers to:—is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called “strange fire,” and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished with death by fire from God. (Leviticus 10:1,2; Numbers 3:4; 26:61)

Source: archive.org: Nave's Topical Bible

Fire definition and references: –Used as a signal in war Jeremiah 6:1
–Furnaces of Daniel 3:6
–Children caused to pass through 2 Kings 16:3; 17:17
–Miracles connected with
–Miraculously descends upon, and consumes, Abraham’s sacrifice Genesis 15:17
–David’s sacrifice 1 Chronicles 21:26
–Elijah’s sacrifice 1 Kings 18:38
–Solomon’s sacrifice, at dedication of the temple 2 Chronicles 7:1
–Display of, in the plagues of Egypt Exodus 9:24
–At Elijah’s translation 2 Kings 2:11
–Consumes the conspirators with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Numbers 16:35
–The captains of fifties 2 Kings 1:9-12
–Torture by Leviticus 21:9; Jeremiah 29:22; Ezekiel 23:25,47; Daniel 3
–Pillar of fire Exodus 13:21,22; 14:19,24; 40:38; Numbers 9:15-23
–See Cloud, Pillar Of
–Figurative
–Of inspiration Isaiah 6:6,7
–Spiritual power Psalms 104:4; Jeremiah 20:9; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16
–Judgments Deuteronomy 4:24; 32:22; Isaiah 33:14; Jeremiah 23:29; Amos 1:4,7,10,12,14; 2:2; Malachi 3:2; Luke 12:49; Revelation 20:9
–Of the destruction of the wicked Matthew 13:42,50; 25:41; Mark 9:44; Revelation 9:2; 21:8
–Everlasting Fire Isaiah 33:14; Matthew 18:8; 25:41; Mark 9:44
–A Symbol
–Of God’s presence Genesis 15:17
–In the burning bush Exodus 3:2
–On Sinai Exodus 19:18
–Tongues of, on the apostles Acts 2:3
–See Arson

Source: archive.org: Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

Fire refers to:—Besides the ordinary senses of the word 'fire,' which need no explanation, there are other uses of it in Scripture which require to be discriminated. The destructive energies of this element and the torment which it inflicts, rendered it a fit symbol of—1. Whatever does damage and consumes;—2. Of severe trials, vexations, and misfortunes;— 3. Of the punishments beyond the grave [HELL].

'Fire from heaven,' 'fire of the Lord,' usually denotes lightning in the Old Testament; but, when connected with sacrifices, the 'fire of the Lord' is often to be understood as the fire of the altar, and sometimes the holocaust itself.

The uses of fire among the Hebrews were various:—

1. The domestic use, for cooking, roasting, and baking [BREAD; FOOD].

2. In winter they warmed themselves and their apartments by 'a fire of coals'.

3. The religious use of fire was for consuming the victims on the altar of burnt-offerings, and in burning the incense on the golden altar; hence the remarkable phrase in , 'the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.'

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Source: archive.org: Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Fire refers to:—Ever burning on the altar, first kindled, according to Jewish tradition, from heaven (Leviticus 6:9; Leviticus 6:13; Leviticus 9:24). But Scripture represents the altar fire as lighted naturally before this. Knobel observes the rule Leviticus 1:7, "the sons of Aaron shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire," must refer to the first burnt offering; the rule afterwards was to be that in Leviticus 6:13; Exodus 40:29; Leviticus 8:16; Leviticus 8:21-28; Leviticus 9:10; Leviticus 9:13-14; Leviticus 9:17; Leviticus 9:20. The heavenly fire in Leviticus 9:24 did not kindle the fuel but consumed the victim. So God testified His accepting sacrifices (Judges 6:21; Judges 13:19-20; 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1; probably Genesis 4:4). Hence, the Hebrew for "accept" is "turn to ashes" (Psalms 20:3 margin).

The ever burning fire symbolized Jehovah's ever continuing sacrificial worship; so in the New Testament, Hebrews 13:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:17. This distinguishes it from the pagan idol Vesta's fire, the Magian fire, that of the Parsees, etc. The fires of Moloch and the sun god were nature worship, into which Sabeanism declined from the one God over all; the Jews often fell into this apostasy (Isaiah 27:9; 2 Kings 23:11-12). The "strange fire" (Leviticus 10:1) is generally explained common fire, not taken from the holy fire of the altar. But no express law forbade burning incense by ordinary fire, except the incense burned by the high priest in entering the holiest place on the day of atonement (Leviticus 16:12), and probably the rule was hence taken as to the daily incense offering. They presented an incense offering not commanded in the law, apart from the morning and evening sacrifice.

Being an act of "will worship" it was "strange fire." Nadab and Abihu probably intended to accompany the people's shouts with an incense offering to the praise of God. The time and the manner of their offering were "strange" and selfwilled. So, the fire of the holy God (Exodus 19:18), which had just sanctified Aaron's service, consumed his two oldest sons. So the gospel that saves the humble seals death to the presumptuous (2 Corinthians 2:16; Colossians 2:23).

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Source: archive.org: Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Fire refers to:—See House, Â§ 7, and next article.

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