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Coal

From: Concise Bible Dictionary: C

By: George A. Morrish

Narrator: Chris Genthree

• 1 min. read • grade level: 7

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Charcoal

Mineral coal is now known to exist in the Lebanon range, but was unknown in Biblical times. Fires were seldom needed for warmth, and were as a rule used only for the cooking of food: the fire named in 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) was in the night; food was cooked by charcoal or by warming the ovens with any vegetable refuse. The coal generally referred to in the Old Testament was charcoal; but other words are used which imply the hot or glowing stones on which cakes were cooked (1 Kings 19:6⁶And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. (1 Kings 19:6); Song of Sol. 8:6⁶Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. (Song of Solomon 8:6); Isa. 6:6⁶Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: (Isaiah 6:6); Hab. 3:5⁵Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. (Habakkuk 3:5)).

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Heaping coals of fire on an enemy’s head by kindness (Prov. 25:21-22²¹If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ²²For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. (Proverbs 25:21‑22); Rom. 12:20²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (Romans 12:20)) becomes a test to him (as metal is tested by the fire), the kindness shown him will either bring about contrition and friendship, or harden him yet the more.

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Concise Bible Dictionary: C

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