King James Bible Dictionary

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).

Used as a signal in war
Jeremiah 6:1

Furnaces of
Daniel 3:6

Children caused to pass through
2 Kings 16:3; 2 Kings 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; Ezekiel 23:47; Ezekiel 27:3

Pillar of fire

General references
Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 14:19; Exodus 14:24; Exodus 40:38; Numbers 9:15-23
Cloud, Pillar of

Figurative:

Of inspiration
Isaiah 6:6-7

Of spiritual power
Psalms 104:4; Jeremiah 20:9; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16

Of judgments
Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 32:22; Isaiah 33:14; Jeremiah 23:29; Amos 1:4; Amos 1:7; Amos 1:10; Amos 1:12; Amos 1:14; Amos 2:2; Malachi 3:2; Luke 12:49; Revelation 20:9

Of the destruction of the wicked
Matthew 13:42; Matthew 13:50; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:44; Revelation 9:2; Revelation 21:8

Everlasting fire
Isaiah 33:14; Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:44

A symbol:

Of God's presence

General references
Genesis 15:17

In the burning bush
Exodus 3:2

On Sinai
Exodus 19:18

Tongues of, on the apostles
Acts 2:3
Arson

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)

FIRE, noun [The radical sense of fire is usually, to rush, to rage, to be violently agitated; and if this is the sense of fire in coincides with Latin furo. It may be from shining or consuming.]

1. Heat and light emanating visibly, perceptibly and simultaneously from any body; caloric; the unknown cause of the sensation of heat and of the retrocession of the homogeneous particles of bodies from one another, producing expansion, and thus enlarging all their dimensions; one of the causes of magnetism, as evinced by Dr. Hare's calorimotor.

In the popular acceptation of the word, fire is the effect of combustion. The combustible body ignited or heated to redness we call fire; and when ascending in a stream or body, we call it flame. A piece of charcoal in combustion, is of a red color and very hot. In this state it is said to be on fire or to contain fire When combustion ceases, it loses its redness and extreme heat, and we say, the fire is extinct.

2. The burning of fuel on a hearth, or in any other place. We kindle a fire in the morning, and at night we rake up the fire Anthracite will maintain fire during the night.

3. The burning of a house or town; a conflagration. Newburyport and Savannah have suffered immense losses by fire The great fire in Boston in 1711 consumed a large part of the town.

4. Light; luster; splendor.

Stars, hide your fires!

5. Torture by burning.

6. The instrument of punishment; or the punishment of the impenitent in another state.

Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Isaiah 33:11.

7. That which inflames or irritates the passions.

What fire is in my ears?

8. Ardor of temper; violence of passion.

He had fire in his temper.

9. Liveliness of imagination; vigor of fancy; intellectual activity; animation; force of sentiment or expression.

And warm the critic with a poet's fire

10. The passion of love; ardent affection.

The God of love retires; dim are his torches, and extinct his fires.

11. Ardor; heat; as the fire of zeal or of love.

12. Combustion; tumult; rage; contention.

13. Trouble; affliction.

When thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt. Isaiah 43:2.

To set on fire to kindle; to inflame; to excite violent action.

St. Anthony's fire a disease marked by an eruption on the skin, or a diffused inflammation, with fever; the Erysipelas.

Wild fire an artificial or factitious fire which burns even under water. it is made by a composition of sulphur, naphtha, pitch, gum and bitumen. It is called also Greek fire

FIRE, verb transitive

1. To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney; to fire a pile.

2. To inflame; to irritate the passions; as, to fire with anger or revenge.

3. To animate; to give life or spirit; as, to fire the genius.

4. To drive by fire [Little used.]

5. To cause to explode; to discharge; as, to fire a musket or cannon.

6. To cauterize; a term in farriery.

FIRE, verb intransitive

1. To take fire; to be kindled.

2. To be irritated or inflamed with passion.

3. To discharge artillery or firearms. They fired on the town.

FI'REARMS, noun plural Arms or weapons which expel their charge by the combustion of powder, as pistols, muskets, etc.

FI'RE-ARROW, noun A small iron dart, furnished with a match impregnated with powder and sulphur, used to fire the sails of ships.

FI'REBALL, noun

1. A grenade; a ball filled with powder or other combustibles, intended to be thrown among enemies, and to injure by explosion.

2. A meteor which passes rapidly through the air and displodes.

FI'REBARE, noun In old writers, a beacon.

FI'REBARREL, noun A hollow cylinder used in fireships, to convey the fire to the shrouds.

FI'REBAVIN, noun A bundle of brush-wood, used in fireships.

FI'REBL'AST, noun A disease in hops, chiefly towards the later periods of their growth.

FI'REBOTE, noun Allowance of fuel, to which a tenant is entitled.

Isaiah 7:4, Amos 4:11, Zechariah 3:2, denotes the burnt end of a stick (Heb. ud); in Judges 15:4, a lamp or torch, a flambeau (Heb. lappid); in Proverbs 26:18 (comp. Ephesians 6:16), burning darts or arrows (Heb. zikkim).

Used by Samson
Judges 15:4

Figurative
Proverbs 26:18; Amos 4:11; Zech 3:2

FI'REBRAND, noun

1. A piece of wood kindled or on fire.

2. An incendiary; one who inflames factions, or causes contention and mischief.

FI'REBRICK, noun A brick that will sustain intense heat without fusion.

FI'REBRUSH, noun A brush used to sweep the hearth.

FI'REBUCKET, noun A bucket to convey water to engines for extinguishing fire.

FI'RECLAY, noun A kind of clay that will sustain intense heat, used in making firebricks.

FI'RECOCK, noun A cock or spout to let out water for extinguishing fire.

FI'RE-COMPANY, noun A company of men for managing an engine to extinguish fires.

FI'RECROSS, noun Something used in Scotland as a signal to take arms; the ends being burnt black, and in some parts smeared with blood.

FI'RED, participle passive Set on fire; inflamed; kindled; animated; irritated.

FI'REDAMP. [See Damp.]

FI'REDRAKE, noun

1. A fiery serpent.

2. An ignis fatuus.

FI'RE-ENGINE, noun An engine for throwing water to extinguish fire and save buildings.

FIRE-ESCA'PE, noun A machine for escaping from windows, when houses are on fire.

FI'REFLAIR, noun A species of ray-fish or Raja.

FI'REFLY, noun A species of fly which has on its belly a spot which shines; and another species which emits light from under its wings, as it flies.

FI'REHOOK, noun A large hook for pulling down building in conflagrations.

FI'RELOCK, noun A musket, or other gun, with a lock, which is discharged by striking fire with flint and steel.

FI'REMAN, noun

1. A man whose business is to extinguish fires in towns.

2. A man of violent passions. [Not used.]

FI'REM'ASTER, noun An officer of artillery who superintends the composition of fireworks.

FI'RENEW, adjective Fresh from the forge; bright.

FI'RE-OFFICE, noun An office for making insurance against fire.

FIRE-ORDEAL, noun [See Ordeal.]

(Exodus 27:3; 38:3), one of the vessels of the temple service (rendered "snuff-dish" Exodus 25:38; 37:23; and "censer" Leviticus 10:1; 16:12). It was probably a metallic cinder-basin used for the purpose of carrying live coal for burning incense, and of carrying away the snuff in trimming the lamps.

Exodus 38:3
2 Kings 25:15

one of the vessels of the temple service. (Exodus 27:3; 38:3; 2 Kings 25:15; Jeremiah 52:19) The same word is elsewhere rendered "snuff-dish," (Exodus 25:38; 37:23; Numbers 4:9) and "censer." (Leviticus 10:1; 16:12; Numbers 16:6) ff. There appear, therefore, to have been two articles so called: one, like a chafing-dish, to carry live coals for the purpose of burning incense; another, like a snuffer-dish, to be used in trimming the lamps, in order to carry the snuffers and convey away the snuff.

FI'REPAN, noun A pan for holding or conveying fire. Exodus 28:1.

FI'REPLACE, noun The part of a chimney appropriated to the fire; a hearth.

FI'REPLUG, noun A plug for drawing water from a pipe to extinguish fire.

FI'REPOT, noun A small earthen pot filled with combustibles, used in military operations.

FI'RER, noun One who sets fire to any thing; an incendiary.

FI'RESHIP, noun A vessel filled with combustibles and furnished with grappling irons to hook and set fire to an enemy's ships.

FI'RESHOVEL, noun A shovel or instrument for taking up or removing coals of fire.

FIRESIDE, noun A place near the fire or hearth; home; domestic life or retirement.

FI'RESTICK, noun A lighted stick or brand.

FI'RESTONE, noun

1. A fossil, the pyrite. [See Pyrite.]

2. A kind of freestone which bears a high degree of heat.

FIREWARD,

FIREWARDEN, noun An officer who has authority to direct others in the extinguishing of fires.

FI'REWOOD, noun Wood for fuel.

FI'REWORK, noun Usually in the plural, fireworks.

Preparations of gun-powder, sulphur and other inflammable materials, used for making explosions in the air, on occasions of public rejoicing; pyrotechnical exhibitions. This word is applied also to various combustible preparations used in war.

FI'REWORKER, noun An officer of artillery subordinate to the firemaster.