The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually;This phrase emphasizes the perpetual nature of the fire on the altar, symbolizing God's eternal presence and the ongoing need for atonement. In the context of the Tabernacle, the altar was central to Israelite worship, representing a place of sacrifice and communion with God. The continuous fire signifies the unending nature of God's covenant with Israel and His readiness to accept offerings. This perpetual fire can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the eternal sacrifice for sin, as referenced in
Hebrews 10:12-14, where Jesus is described as offering one sacrifice for sins forever. The fire's constancy also reflects the need for continual devotion and vigilance in spiritual life, as seen in
1 Thessalonians 5:17, which calls believers to "pray without ceasing."
it must not be extinguished.
The command that the fire must not be extinguished underscores the importance of maintaining a constant state of worship and readiness to serve God. Historically, this required the priests to be diligent in their duties, ensuring that the fire was always fueled and tended. This vigilance is a metaphor for spiritual alertness and dedication, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins inMatthew 25:1-13, where readiness is crucial. Theologically, the unextinguished fire can be seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who empowers and sustains believers, as described inActs 2:3-4, where the Spirit appears as tongues of fire. This imagery reinforces the idea of God's presence and power being ever-present and active in the lives of His people.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including the instructions for the burnt offerings.
2.
Aaron and His SonsThe priests who were responsible for maintaining the altar and ensuring the fire did not go out.
3.
The TabernacleThe portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, where the altar was located.
4.
The AltarA sacred place for sacrifices and offerings to God, symbolizing His presence and the people's devotion.
5.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were to follow these laws as part of their covenant relationship with Him.
Teaching Points
Perpetual WorshipJust as the fire on the altar was to be kept burning continually, our worship and devotion to God should be constant and unwavering.
Priestly ResponsibilityLike the priests who maintained the altar fire, we have a responsibility to nurture our spiritual lives and keep our faith active.
Symbol of God's PresenceThe continual fire symbolizes God's unending presence and faithfulness, reminding us to remain steadfast in our relationship with Him.
Living SacrificesWe are called to be living sacrifices, offering our lives in service and devotion to God, much like the offerings on the altar.
Community and AccountabilityThe communal aspect of maintaining the fire highlights the importance of community and accountability in our spiritual journey.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 6:13?
2.How does Leviticus 6:13 emphasize the importance of continual worship in our lives?
3.What does the "fire must be kept burning" symbolize in our spiritual walk?
4.How can we ensure our spiritual "fire" remains burning daily?
5.What New Testament teachings align with Leviticus 6:13's call for constant devotion?
6.How can church practices reflect the perpetual fire principle from Leviticus 6:13?
7.What is the significance of the perpetual fire in Leviticus 6:13 for modern believers?
8.How does Leviticus 6:13 relate to the concept of God's eternal presence?
9.Why was the fire on the altar never to be extinguished according to Leviticus 6:13?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 6?
11.(Leviticus 6:10-11) Why would such specific rituals for removing and disposing of ashes be necessary, and do these instructions align with or contradict known ancient practices?
12.Does Hebrews 13:10's mention of an altar contradict Old Testament laws allowing priests to eat sacrifices?
13.Mark 9:49-50 - What historical or cultural evidence supports the puzzling concept of everyone being 'salted with fire'?
14.Jeremiah 19:4-5 -- If God commands against child sacrifice elsewhere, why would He allow His own people to practice it for so long without immediate judgment?What Does Leviticus 6:13 Mean
The fireLeviticus 6:13 opens with, “The fire…”. From the first glance, this is no ordinary blaze; it is the very flame God Himself ignited (Leviticus 9:24). Throughout Scripture, divine fire pictures the Lord’s holy presence—whether in the burning bush ofExodus 3:2, the consuming fire on Mount Carmel in1 Kings 18:38, or the truth that “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). The emphasis is unmistakable: what burns on this altar originates from God, not human spark.
shall be kept burning“…shall be kept burning…” highlights priestly responsibility. The priests did not create the flame, but they were charged to tend it (Leviticus 6:9, 12). That meant adding wood each morning, removing ashes, and ensuring ample fuel—mundane tasks done faithfully. Likewise, believers are called to cooperate with God’s work: Paul urges Timothy, “Fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6). Faithfulness in the small, daily acts—devotions, confession, obedience—keeps the God-given fire vibrant.
on the altar“…on the altar…” reminds us where the fire operates: the place of substitutionary sacrifice.Exodus 27:1-8 lays out the altar’s construction;Hebrews 13:10-12 points to its fulfillment in Christ, whose cross became the once-for-all altar outside the camp. Every ember on that bronze platform consumed offerings that pointed to the Lamb of God. Today,Romans 12:1 calls us to present our own bodies “as a living sacrifice,” letting God’s fire refine everything placed before Him.
continually“…continually…” stresses unbroken constancy. Just as the lamp in the holy place was to burn “continually” (Leviticus 24:2), so the altar fire mirrored ceaseless worship. In practical terms, constant flame means an ongoing awareness of God: David vows, “I will bless the LORD at all times” (Psalm 34:1), and Paul exhorts, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). A steady blaze, not a sporadic flare-up, pictures a life of uninterrupted devotion.
it must not be extinguished“…it must not be extinguished.” is both command and warning. Negligence had tragic precedent: when Judah’s temple doors were shut and lamps quenched (2 Chronicles 29:3-7), worship ground to a halt. Jesus’ parable of the virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) warns of lamps going out for lack of oil. Spiritually, the order is clear—do nothing that smothers God’s work. Instead, like Paul, we “press on” (Philippians 3:12-14), guarding against compromise, distraction, or sin that would dampen holy fire.
summaryLeviticus 6:13 teaches that God-given fire—symbolizing His presence and atoning work—must be faithfully tended by His people, always on the altar, without interruption, and never allowed to die out. Our role is vigilant cooperation: feeding the flame through obedience, worship, and surrender, so that God’s holy presence continues to burn brightly in every generation.
(13)
The fire shall ever be burning.--This fire, which first came down from heaven (
Leviticus 9:24), was to be continually fed with the fuel especially provided by the congregation, and with the daily burnt offerings. During the second Temple, this perpetual fire consisted
ofthree parts or separate piles of wood on the same altar: on the largest one the daily sacrifice was burnt; the second, which was called the pile of incense, supplied the fire for the censers to burn the morning and evening incense; and the third was the perpetual fire from which the other two portions were fed. It never was quenched till the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar. Indeed, we are positively assured that the pious priests who were carried captives into Persia concealed it in a pit, where it remained till the time of Nehemiah, when it was restored to the altar (
2 Maccabees 1:19-22). The authorities in the time of Christ, however, assure us that the perpetual fire was one of the five things wanting in the second Temple.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The fireאֵ֗שׁ(’êš)Noun - common singular
Strong's 784:A firemust be kept burningתּוּקַ֥ד(tū·qaḏ)Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3344:To be kindled, to burnonעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ(ham·miz·bê·aḥ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196:An altarcontinually;תָּמִ֛יד(tā·mîḏ)Adverb
Strong's 8548:Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrificeit must notלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nobe extinguished.תִכְבֶֽה׃(ṯiḵ·ḇeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3518:To be quenched or extinguished, to go out
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OT Law: Leviticus 6:13 Fire shall be kept burning (Le Lv Lev.) 
