Topical Encyclopedia
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 TimesFire 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 FireFire 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 SymbolLight, 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 FireIn 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."
ConclusionWhile 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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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.
Strong's Hebrew
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
...Library
That SometimesLighter vices are to be Left Alone, that More...
... ROME, Chapter XXXVIII. That sometimeslighter vices are to be left alone,
that more grievous ones may be removed. But since, when...
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 onelighter, the other heavier; so...
Chapter ix.
... 81] For this last sounds most weighty, and reminds us that certain stages were passed
over fromlighter to more weighty, until the gehenna of fire was reached....
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...
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 thelighter, as we...
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 thelighter punishment: such...
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 thelighter matters, mitigating...
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....
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...
But as to the Argument of those Men who are Unwilling that Their.....
... Is it alighter matter that a soul should not keep faith with God, than that
a woman should be faithless to her husband? Or if those...
Thesaurus
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.
...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...
Lighten (19 Occurrences)
... lightning; to flash. 3. (vi) To growlighter; to become less dark or lowering;
to brighten; to clear, as the sky. 4. (vt) To make...
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 itlighter to us...
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 itlighter to us...
Dally
... by that correction wherein he dallied with them" (paigniois epitimeseos, "child
play of correction"), the reference being to the earlier andlighter plagues of...
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....
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 uslighter?'" (See RSV)....
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...
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 arelighter than vanity...
Resources
How can the light of stars billions of light years away from the earth have reached us if the earth is only thousands of years old? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the daughters of Jerusalem in Song of Solomon? | GotQuestions.orgLighter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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