In the context of biblical times, the concept of a "lighter" as we understand it today—a portable device used to create a flame—did not exist. However, the Bible does reference fire and light in various forms, which can be related to the symbolic and practical uses of fire in ancient times.

Fire in Biblical Times

Fire played a crucial role in the daily life and religious practices of the people in biblical times. It was essential for cooking, providing warmth, and serving as a source of light. In the absence of modern lighters, fire was typically started using flint and steel or by striking stones together to create sparks. The maintenance of a continuous fire was often necessary, as relighting a fire could be labor-intensive.

Symbolism of Fire

Fire holds significant symbolic meaning throughout the Bible. It is often associated with the presence and power of God. For instance, in Exodus 3:2, God appears to Moses in a burning bush: "There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed." This passage illustrates the divine nature of fire as a symbol of God's holiness and presence.

Fire is also used as a metaphor for purification and judgment. In Malachi 3:2-3, the prophet speaks of God as a refiner's fire: "But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner's fire, like a launderer's soap. And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver."

Light as a Symbol

Light, often produced by fire, is another significant biblical symbol. It represents truth, knowledge, and the presence of God. In Psalm 119:105, the psalmist declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Here, light symbolizes guidance and divine wisdom provided by God's Word.

Jesus Christ is also described as the "light of the world" in John 8:12: "Once again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.'" This statement emphasizes the role of Christ as the source of spiritual illumination and salvation.

Practical Uses of Fire

In addition to its symbolic meanings, fire had practical applications in biblical times. It was used in sacrifices and offerings, as seen in Leviticus 6:12-13: "The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished."

Fire was also a tool for protection and survival. In the wilderness, the Israelites were guided by a pillar of fire by night, as described in Exodus 13:21: "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night."

Conclusion

While the modern concept of a lighter is absent from biblical texts, the themes of fire and light are deeply woven into the fabric of Scripture. They serve as powerful symbols of God's presence, guidance, and the transformative power of His Word.1. (n.) One who, or that which, lights; as, a lighter of lamps.

2. (n.) A large boat or barge, mainly used in unloading or loading vessels which can not reach the wharves at the place of shipment or delivery.

3. (v. t.) To convey by a lighter, as to or from the shore; as, to lighter the cargo of a ship.

7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling
... despise (1), despised (2), ease (1), easier (1), easy (2), insignificant (1), light
a thing (1), lighten (5), lightly esteemed (2), make it lighter (2), moved ...
/hebrew/7043.htm - 6k

That Sometimes Lighter vices are to be Left Alone, that More ...
... ROME, Chapter XXXVIII. That sometimes lighter vices are to be left alone,
that more grievous ones may be removed. But since, when ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxviii that sometimes lighter.htm

Some Man Will Say, "So Then any Thief Whatever is to be Accounted ...
... For even thefts themselves are more lightly punished by law than crimes of lust:
they are, however, both sins, albeit the one lighter, the other heavier; so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 19 some man will.htm

Chapter ix.
... 81] For this last sounds most weighty, and reminds us that certain stages were passed
over from lighter to more weighty, until the gehenna of fire was reached. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter ix.htm

How to Split a Kingdom
... 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service
of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.htm

More Difficulties of the Atomic Theory.
... place of all, so as to form a foundation for all; whereas rather the heavier qualities,
that is, the earthy or watery, always come before the lighter, as we ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xix more difficulties of the.htm

John Chapter xv. 22, 23
... But if it is one thing to perish without the law, and another to be judged by the
law; and the former is the heavier, the latter the lighter punishment: such ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxxix john chapter xv.htm

1 Cor. xi. 2
... that he doth not set down all the heavy accusations continuously, but after disposing
them in due order, he inserts among them the lighter matters, mitigating ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 1 cor xi.htm

When I Heard the Saviour Calling
... Take the burden He bestows,. 'Tis a load, the more you bear it,. Lighter and yet
lighter grows; And at length the faithful bearer. Finds an undisturbed repose. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/when i heard the saviour.htm

Rehoboam's Great Mistake
... Now make the hard service of your father and the heavy yoke that he laid upon us
lighter, and we will serve you." He said to them, "Go away for three days ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/rehoboams great mistake.htm

But as to the Argument of those Men who are Unwilling that Their.. ...
... Is it a lighter matter that a soul should not keep faith with God, than that
a woman should be faithless to her husband? Or if those ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 5 19 but.htm

Lighter (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who, or that which, lights; as, a lighter of lamps. ... 3. (vt) To convey
by a lighter, as to or from the shore; as, to lighter the cargo of a ship. ...
/l/lighter.htm - 10k

Yoke (79 Occurrences)
... 12:4 "Your father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make you the grievous service
of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, lighter, and we ...
/y/yoke.htm - 40k

Lighten (19 Occurrences)
... lightning; to flash. 3. (vi) To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering;
to brighten; to clear, as the sky. 4. (vt) To make ...
/l/lighten.htm - 13k

Waist (36 Occurrences)
... grown up with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus you shall tell this people who spoke
to you, saying,'Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter to us ...
/w/waist.htm - 17k

Thicker (2 Occurrences)
... grown up with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus you shall tell this people who spoke
to you, saying,'Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter to us ...
/t/thicker.htm - 7k

Dally
... by that correction wherein he dallied with them" (paigniois epitimeseos, "child
play of correction"), the reference being to the earlier and lighter plagues of ...
/d/dally.htm - 7k

Blue (51 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Having the color of the clear sky, or a hue resembling it, whether
lighter or darker; as, the deep, blue sea; as blue as a sapphire; blue violets. ...
/b/blue.htm - 26k

Advise (10 Occurrences)
... counsel do you give, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to
me, saying,'Make the yoke that your father did put on us lighter?'" (See RSV). ...
/a/advise.htm - 12k

Heavy (110 Occurrences)
... 12:4 "Your father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make you the grievous service
of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, lighter, and we ...
/h/heavy.htm - 44k

Altogether (56 Occurrences)
... and three Greek originals, which variously signify (1) "together"; ie all, eg `all
men, high and low, weighed together in God's balance are lighter than vanity ...
/a/altogether.htm - 25k

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Lighter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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