ἀνθρακιά
anthrakia
charcoal fire
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek term ἀνθρακιά (anthrakia) refers to a type of fire that burns brightly, fueled by charcoal. This intense fire is used as a metaphor, likely to convey a sense of radiant light or fiery judgment. The limited occurrences of this term in the Bible suggest that it's a vivid and expressive expression, rather than a common one. Given its semantic domain, Light & Darkness, it's clear that this fire speaks to the idea of illumination and clarity, possibly even purification or cleansing. This image might be used to convey the idea of a sudden and intense revelation, where the truth shines brightly and leaves no doubt. It's worth noting that the use of charcoal fire as a metaphor implies a connection to earthly, tangible experiences, rather than purely spiritual or abstract ideals. The significance of this term lies in its ability to engage the senses and evoke a sense of reality, making the message more impactful and memorable.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences across the text
Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.
John 21:9So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.