file Summary and Overview

FILE . The word occurs only once in the A.V. 1 Sam 13:21. The preceding verse is connected with it, and they are best rendered: "But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen [their tools] whenever there was bluntness of edge to their shares and coulters and prong-forks and axes, and to point their goads." FIRE was of course used for cooking and for warmth. We find reference to the latter use in Jer 36:22; Luke 22:55; John 18:18. See Fuel. A hearth with lighted wood or a pan with burning charcoal is mentioned in the passages specified as the sources of the heat. Fire was used in the service of God to consume the sacrifices partially or entirely. There may be a question whether Abel offered a burnt-sacrifice. Gen 4:4, but surely, from the time of Noah, fire was used with the sacrifices. The Mosaic law prescribes its use. Lev 1:7, and this burnt-altar fire was to be kept ever burning. Lev 6:9, Lev 6:13. Fire was the sign of the divine presence and acceptance. Thus, the heavenly fire which came down upon the altar of burnt-offering on the occasion of the first sacrifice after the giving of the Law, Lev 9:24, indicated Jehovah's gracious pleasure in the service. To the same end fire was sent in other instances, Jud 6:21; 1 Kgs 18:38; 1 Chr 21:26. Fire was used as a purifier. Num 31:22-23; cf. Zech 13:8-9. The victims slain for sin-offerings were afterward consumed by fire. Lev 4:12, Lev 4:21; Lev 6:30; Lev 16:27. The Nazarite marked the conclusion of his vow by shaving his head and casting the hair into the fire on the altar of burnt-offering. Num 6:18. It was forbidden by the Law to kindle a fire on the Sabbath, Ex 35:3; Num 15:32; but some maintain that the prohibition applies to the preparation, and not to the heating, of food. Consequently, by having the principal meal, which was always eaten in the evening, a little earlier on Friday and a little later on Saturday, the Jew could have a hot meal every day in the week. The law held him who wilfully or carelessly set fire to ripe or harvested fields on which the grain yet stood pecuniarily liable for damages. Ex 22:6. The punishment of death by fire was inflicted in early times. Jer 29:22; Dan 3:20-21. See Furnace. It is enjoined by the Law in the case of incest with a mother-in-law, and of unchastity on the part of the daughter of a priest. Lev 20:14; John 21:9. But it is reasonable to suppose that in both these cases the condemned were first killed by stoning or strangling, and then their bodies burnt. To fire the gates was one way of ending a siege. Jud 9:49, Jud 9:52. Fire is the comparison of intense love, Song 8:6; of the injuring tongue, Ps 120:4; Prov 16:27; Jas 3:5, and of godlessness, Isa 9:18. The anger of God burns as fire, Ps 79:5; Ps 89:46; Nah 1:6. His word is like fire, Jer 23:29. Yea, he himself is a consuming fire, Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29. The word is frequently used metaphorically. The "strange fire," Lev 10:1, is generally explained as common fire, not taken from the holy fire of the altar. But inasmuch as no express law forbade the burning of incense by ordinary fire, it is very probable that the offence consisted in presenting an incense-offering not commanded in the law in an improper, merely vainglorious spirit. The time and manner of the ofiering were "strange," not the fire.