Coal
• 1 min. read • grade level: 7
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)).