Brush-wood refers to small branches, twigs, and undergrowth that are often used for kindling or fuel. In biblical times, brush-wood was a readily available resource, especially in regions with abundant vegetation. It played a practical role in daily life, particularly in activities such as cooking and heating.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 28:3 · One of the most notable mentions of brush-wood in the Bible occurs in the account of the Apostle Paul's shipwreck on the island of Malta. "Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and as he laid it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand." This passage highlights the use of brush-wood for kindling a fire, a common practice for warmth and cooking. The incident also serves as a demonstration of God's protection over Paul, as he suffered no harm from the viper's bite.

2. Ezekiel 24:10 · In this prophetic passage, brush-wood is used metaphorically to describe the intensity of God's judgment. "Heap on the wood, kindle the fire, cook the meat well, mix in the spices, and let the bones be charred." Here, the use of wood, including brush-wood, symbolizes the thoroughness and completeness of the divine judgment that is to come upon Jerusalem.

Cultural and Practical Significance:

In the ancient Near East, brush-wood was an essential resource for everyday life. It was easily gathered and used for various purposes, including:

· Fuel for Fires: Brush-wood was commonly used to start and maintain fires for cooking and warmth. Its availability made it a practical choice for households and travelers alike.

· Symbolism in Scripture: Beyond its practical uses, brush-wood occasionally appears in Scripture as a symbol of transience and impermanence. The ease with which it burns can represent the fleeting nature of life or the swift execution of judgment.

· Construction and Crafting: While not as durable as larger timber, brush-wood could also be used in construction for temporary shelters or as a component in wattle and daub walls.

Theological Reflections:

From a theological perspective, the use of brush-wood in Scripture can serve as a reminder of God's provision and care. Just as brush-wood was a readily available resource for the people of biblical times, God provides for the needs of His people in various ways. Additionally, the account of Paul and the viper in Acts 28 underscores the theme of divine protection and the fulfillment of God's purposes despite apparent dangers.

In summary, brush-wood, though a humble and often overlooked element in the biblical narrative, carries with it layers of practical, symbolic, and theological significance. Its presence in Scripture invites reflection on God's provision, the reality of judgment, and the assurance of His protection.4298. prokopto -- to cut forward (a way), advance
... Phonetic Spelling: (prok-op'-to) Short Definition: I advance, make progress Definition:
(originally of the pioneer cutting his way through brushwood), I advance ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4298.htm - 7k2003. hemes -- brushwood
... 2002, 2003. hemes. 2004 . brushwood. Transliteration: hemes Phonetic Spelling:
(haw-mawce') Short Definition: brushwood. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2003.htm - 5k

7754b. sokah -- branch, brushwood.
... sokah. 7755 . branch, brushwood. Transliteration: sokah Short Definition: branch.
Word Origin from the same as sok Definition branch, brushwood. ...
/hebrew/7754b.htm - 5k

7754a. sok -- branch, brushwood
... branch, brushwood. Transliteration: sok Short Definition: branch. Word Origin from
an unused word Definition branch, brushwood NASB Word Usage branch (2). ...
/hebrew/7754a.htm - 5k

7754. sowk -- branch, brushwood
... 7753, 7754. sowk. 7754a . branch, brushwood. Transliteration: sowk Phonetic
Spelling: (soke) Short Definition: bough. bough Or (feminine ...
/hebrew/7754.htm - 5k

Transcriber's Note
... listed below. Inconsistent hyphenation: nowadays (now-a-days), brushwood
(brush-wood), footprints (foot-prints). Chapter I. "Under ...
//christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/transcribers note.htm

Acts xxviii. 1
... if the wintry weather must destroy them. Then Paul having taken brushwood,
laid it on the fire. See how active he is; observe how ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily liv acts xxviii 1.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... It was mostly sand and desert. On some of the hills lived people in groups of
five to eight, like families, inhabiting huts made of brushwood. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ...
... "Again the hedges, tipped with tiny coral buds, primroses, and daffodils peeping
up amid the brushwood, golden-eyed celandines and daisies lifting their sweet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vi 1875-1877 mrs ways.htm

Kumaon.
... poor. There is a great extent of forest and brushwood. As the land slopes
towards the Bhabhur, the forest is very dense and varied. ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xx kumaon.htm

No House of any Pretension to be Called a Palace is in the Least ...
... Near the house it was kept very trim and nice, and it was free of brushwood for
a long way in; but by degrees it got wild, and it grew wilder, and wilder, and ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 28 no house of.htm

The Foreign Missions and their Influence.
... Tobias Leupold, and abide the issue of the colloquy; and in the evening the two
young men took their usual stroll together among the brushwood clustering round ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the foreign missions.htm

After the Wreck
... In the former one, we see in Paul's activity in gathering his bundle of brushwood
an example of how he took the humblest duties on himself, and was not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/after the wreck.htm

The Charm
... She made no reply, but going into another room, returned with her apron full of
dry brushwood and faggot; all of this she piled upon the fire, and produced a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borrow/letters of george borrow/the charm.htm

The Bread of the Presence
... upon it. But let it rise as some tree above the brushwood until its topmost
branches are in the light, and then it is glorified. To ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of the presence.htm

Brushwood (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Brushwood (9 Occurrences). ... Job 30:4 They are pulling off
the salt leaves from the brushwood, and making a meal of roots. (BBE). ...
/b/brushwood.htm - 9k

Brush-wood (1 Occurrence)
Brush-wood. Brushwood, Brush-wood. Brutal . Multi-Version Concordance
Brush-wood (1 Occurrence). ... (See JPS). Brushwood, Brush-wood. Brutal . Reference
/b/brush-wood.htm - 6k

Botany
... size, so that miles of country which, within the memory of many now living, were
forest are now either entirely treeless or covered with nothing but brushwood. ...
/b/botany.htm - 38k

Oak (22 Occurrences)
... "It covers the rocky hills of Palestine with a dense brushwood of trees from 8 to
12 feet high, branching from the base, thickly covered with small evergreen ...
/o/oak.htm - 33k

Tremble (92 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 64:1 O let the heavens be broken open and come down, so that the mountains
may be shaking before you, As when fire puts the brushwood in flames, or as ...
/t/tremble.htm - 34k

Kindleth (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 64:2 as when fire kindleth the brushwood, and the fire causeth the waters
to boil; to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may ...
/k/kindleth.htm - 9k

Kindles (6 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 64:2 as when fire kindles the brushwood, and the fire causes the waters to
boil; to make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may ...
/k/kindles.htm - 8k

Nettles (5 Occurrences)
... Septuagint has phrugana agria, "wild brushwood," in Job, and certainly the association
with the "saltwort" and the retm, "broom," in the passage would best be ...
/n/nettles.htm - 9k

Noises (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Noises (4 Occurrences). Job 30:7 They make noises like
asses among the brushwood; they get together under the thorns. (BBE). ...
/n/noises.htm - 7k

Upland (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 17:6 For he will be like the brushwood in the upland, and will not see
when good comes; but his living-place will be in the dry places in the waste ...
/u/upland.htm - 8k

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