Definition and Usage in Scripture:

In biblical terminology, "fire-brands" are typically pieces of burning wood or sticks used to kindle a fire. The term is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe individuals or situations that incite conflict, destruction, or judgment. The imagery of a fire-brand conveys the idea of something that is both consuming and potentially destructive.

Biblical References:

1. Judges 15:4-5 : "Then Samson went out and caught three hundred foxes. He took torches, turned the foxes tail to tail, and fastened a torch between each pair of tails. Then he lit the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves."

In this passage, Samson uses fire-brands (torches) tied to the tails of foxes to set the Philistine fields ablaze. This act of vengeance against the Philistines illustrates the destructive power of fire-brands when used as instruments of judgment and retribution.

2. Proverbs 26:18-19 : "Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'"

Here, the fire-brand is used metaphorically to describe the reckless and harmful actions of a deceitful person. The comparison to a madman with fire-brands emphasizes the potential for chaos and harm that can result from careless or malicious behavior.

3. Isaiah 7:4 : "Say to him: 'Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.'"

In this context, the "smoldering stubs of firewood" refer to the waning power of the enemies of Judah. The imagery suggests that, although they once burned fiercely like fire-brands, their threat is now diminished. This passage reassures the people of Judah that their adversaries' power is fading.

Theological Implications:

The use of fire-brands in Scripture often symbolizes the swift and consuming nature of God's judgment or the destructive potential of human actions. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of righteous living. The imagery of fire-brands also underscores the need for discernment and caution in our interactions with others, as careless words and actions can ignite conflict and cause harm.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, fire-brands were practical tools for starting fires, but they also held symbolic significance. Fire was a powerful element, representing both life-giving warmth and destructive force. The biblical authors used the imagery of fire-brands to convey messages about divine judgment, human folly, and the need for repentance.

Conclusion:

The concept of fire-brands in the Bible serves as a vivid metaphor for the potential for destruction inherent in both divine judgment and human actions. Through these references, Scripture calls believers to live wisely, avoid deceit, and trust in God's sovereignty over the forces that threaten to consume.2131. ziqah -- a missile, spark
ziqah or zeq. 2130, 2131. ziqah or zeq. 2132 . a missile, spark. Transliteration:
ziqah or zeq Phonetic Spelling: (zee-kaw') Short Definition: firebrands. ...
/hebrew/2131.htm - 6k

181. ud -- a brand, firebrand
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a brand, firebrand NASB Word
Usage brand (1), firebrand (1), firebrands (1). firebrand. ...
/hebrew/181.htm - 5k

De Sermone Domini in Monte, Lib. I. 22, 73.
... when, after the acknowledging of God through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
one fights against the brotherhood, and is set on by the fire-brands of hatred ...
/.../de sermone domini in monte.htm

Nineveh.
... where Pekah was shortly after murdered by his servant Hoshea; so that Isaiah's prophecy
of the ruin of "these two tails of smoking firebrands," Pekah and Rezin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Two Archbishops
... their claim to pity, monks who looked like goats or satyrs, and women more frightful
than Jezebels,' armed with sticks, stones, and firebrands, wrecked his ...
/.../chapter xiii two archbishops.htm

Samson the Strong.
... Afterwards when he found that his wife had been given to another he tied firebrands
to the tails of three hundred foxes, and sent them among the wheat fields ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xv samson the strong.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... We seem to hear his loud laughter as he ties the firebrands to the struggling
jackals, or swings the jaw-bone. A strange champion for Jehovah! ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

Dying Fires
... 'Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands:
walk ye in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/dying fires.htm

Psalm 57
... and mercy forth shall send. ^4My soul among fierce lions is,. I firebrands
live among,. Men's sons, whose teeth are spears and darts,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 57.htm

Samson's Wedding Feast
... And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned
tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between every two tails. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv samsons wedding feast.htm

Then
... or a corruption of seed, or the rotting of wood, or out of the condensed mass of
fire transforms the cold vapour that issues from the firebrands, shut off in ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 3 then.htm

part ii.
... guide in addition to our natural advantages, thus tolerate the disturbances and
disorders raised by our enemies, who seem inflamed, as it were, with firebrands ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part ii 2.htm

Firebrands (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Firebrands (4 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 26:18 As a mad man
who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, (KJV JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/firebrands.htm - 7k

Fire-brands (3 Occurrences)
Fire-brands. Firebrands, Fire-brands. Fired . Multi-Version Concordance
Fire-brands (3 Occurrences). ... (WBS). Firebrands, Fire-brands. Fired . Reference
/f/fire-brands.htm - 7k

Fire-brand (3 Occurrences)
... brand. Firebrands . Multi-Version Concordance Fire-brand (3 Occurrences). Judges
15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took fire-brands, and ...
/f/fire-brand.htm - 7k

Tail (16 Occurrences)
... 4:4), of foxes, which Samson tied together in his cruel sport, in order to destroy
the grainfields of the Philistines by means of attached firebrands (Judges 15 ...
/t/tail.htm - 13k

Firewood (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 7:4 and say unto him: Keep calm, and be quiet; fear not, neither let thy
heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the ...
/f/firewood.htm - 7k

Fired (3 Occurrences)

/f/fired.htm - 7k

Firebrand (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands,
and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. ...
/f/firebrand.htm - 9k

Faint-hearted (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 7:4 And say to him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be faint-hearted
for the two tails of these smoking fire-brands, for the fierce anger of ...
/f/faint-hearted.htm - 8k

Fires (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves with firebrands,
begone in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have ...
/f/fires.htm - 9k

Fainthearted (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 7:4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted
for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of ...
/f/fainthearted.htm - 8k

Why was the fire in the altar to burn continuously (Leviticus 6:13)? | GotQuestions.org

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