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819. Charcoal

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible

By: James M. Freeman

Narrator: Chris Genthree

• 1 min. read • grade level: 10

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John 18:18¹⁸And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. (John 18:18). Made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves.

Charcoal is of ancient origin, and is still used for fuel in Palestine, though not so commonly employed for that purpose as sticks and other articles. See notes on 1 Kings 17:10¹⁰So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. (1 Kings 17:10) (#307); Psalm 58:9⁹Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath. (Psalm 58:9) (#646) and Matthew 6:30³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:30). It was doubtless the material used for the fire spoken of in the text, and was probably burning in a pan or brazier made of metal or earthenware.

Charcoal is also referred to in Proverbs 26:21²¹As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. (Proverbs 26:21), (where the distinction is finely made between dead and burning coals); Isaiah 44:12; 54:16¹²The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint. (Isaiah 44:12)
¹⁶Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. (Isaiah 54:16) and John 21:9⁹As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. (John 21:9).

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Manners and Customs of the Bible

• 810. Formal Condolence

• 811. Weeping at the Grave

• 812. The Pound

• 813. Need of Feet Washing

• 814. Position at Table

• 815. The "Sop"

• 816. Place for Gardens

• 817. Lanterns

• 818. Female Door Keepers

• 819. Charcoal

• 820. Bearing the Cross

• 821. The Tunic

• 822. Preparation for Burial

• 823. Salutation

• 824. A Sabbath Day's Journey

• 825. Time for Eating

• 826. Time for Burial

• 827. Reading Aloud

• 828. Complimentary Names

• 829. Prayer on the Housetop

• 830. The Military Night Watch

• 831. Prisoners Chained

• 832. Sandals

• 833. Knocker Street Door

• 834. The Law and the Prophets Rulers of the Synagogue

• 835. Gods in Human Form

• 836. Jupiter and Mercury

• 837. Idolatrous Garlands

• 838. Places of Prayer

• 839. Stocks