Biblical Fire

[BOD]

Does anyone know how fire was made in Biblical times? How were cooking hearths lit?

And has anyone read the Bible with a view to passages which mentioned fire-making, man made that is?

Burning with curiousity

Ash

 

[OzaawaaMigiziNini]

...Jesus did it?

 

[jojo]

...Jesus did it?

Yes, but How?

 

[Burnt Ash]

Yes, but How?

Something along the lines of: "Let there be fire". And, lo ...there was fire.

Burning Bush
(oops, sorry!)
Burnt Ash

 

[John Fenna]

There seems to be historical evidence (if not Biblical) for a bow drill type rig being used.
I cannot find the reference at the mo, but it seems to be weight in a frame, pivoting on one end to press down on a spindle/hearth board as per any fire drill dut with a thong worked by hand insead of a bow (pull left hand/right hand to spin the spindle. Pump drills may also have been used.

 

[Womble]

From the book of the Phrophet Rheymierz:

2.2 Thus did the prophet Rheymierz say unto the Amonites,"knowest thou not how to bring fire forth"? And with much wailing the Amonites replied, "Alas! For that skill has been lost unto us. Cans't thou reveal unto us that which our forefathers knew yet we have abandoned in our hubris?"
2.3 So the Prophet Rheymeirz did consent to bringing the the Amonites back into the ways of the fire. Thanks he gave to the Lord in song; and then, taking two sticks from the ground did produce fire from them.
2.4 Then did the Amonites sing praises to the Prophet Rheymeirz, and there was much rejoicing throughout the land.

 

[Burnt Ash]

From the book of the Phrophet Rheymierz:

Brilliant!

Burnt Ash

 

[BOD]

I should have known that on this site there would be many voices calling from the wilderness!

But only one prophet - John - of many years in the wilderness with a true message.


John I saw a reference to a bow drill (a carpenters tool so, yes, it was Jesus who did it ) on a bible studies site but was not sure about their scholarship in paleotechnology as opposed to their knowledge of scripture. Can you explain a bit more about the drill especially the weight and frame (sounds like a carpenters idea of a bow drill)

 

[Ahjno]

From the book of the Phrophet Rheymierz:

2.2 Thus did the prophet Rheymierz say unto the Amonites,"knowest thou not how to bring fire forth"? And with much wailing the Amonites replied, "Alas! For that skill has been lost unto us. Cans't thou reveal unto us that which our forefathers knew yet we have abandoned in our hubris?"

They must have had knowledge on how to make a microwave-oven-thingy; why on earth (...) would you otherwise 'forget' how to make a fire?

 

[Wayland]

I've seen the remains of Egyptian bow drills and hearth boards from before the period if that helps any.

 

[Toddy]

I'm no biblical scholar, but I do know that contemporary people used firebows and spindles and hearths to create fire.

This example was found in Tutankhamun's tomb for instance.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/tutankhamun_gallery_12.shtml

cheers,
Toddy

Oooops, cross post with Wayland, sorry.

 

[BOD]

They must have had knowledge on how to make a microwave-oven-thingy; why on earth (...) would you otherwise 'forget' how to make a fire?

At this risk of side tracking my own thread Ahjno, of course they did.

The Lord provided -

Genesis 15:17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.

18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land,.....

The power of prayer

 

[John Fenna]

Suggested "Biblical" fire starter.
Hey - I did fashion design not tech drawing OK?!

 

[Toadflax]

There's a page from the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford here: http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/fire.html. I'll see if I can pop over there at lunchtime today and have a look at some of the exhibits and let you know what I find.


Geoff

 

[match]

The burning bush is actually a plant common in those parts of the world - a member of the Dictamnus family (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictamnus).

These plants have highly volatile oils over the leaves, which repel insects, but can also catch fire in hot weather.

Probably a good tinder material at least!

 

[beachlover]

I have searched a few bibles and as far as I can see there are no direct references to the methods used, but;

There is evidence that a permanent source of fire was kept burning in temples. This would have been available to the community members. Although clearly there for sacrifice, Leviticus and Deuteronomy also contain many references to maintaining hygeine, cooking, food preparation and safety, crop rotation, as well as aspects of campcraft. The importance of keeping the flame alight on the altar was probably as practical as it was a part of worship. It has of course been carried on and is represented in todays Church as the candle near to the tabernacle.


Leviticus 6:12
The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it.

Leviticus 6:13
The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.


There is also evidence that fire was carried from place to place, but not detailing what was used.

Genesis 22:6
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife.


There are of course plenty of references to fire coming from Heaven (lightning) and setting fire to things too

 

[BOD]

Beachlover,

My understanding is that the fire for the burnt offering was distinct from all other fire uses and even the ash had to be disposed by the priest according to ritual. It was not I think a case of "Can I have a light please mate?".

Could be wrong of course.

John,

thanks for the drawing of the biblical firestarter. I do see the hand of the carpenter (if not The Carpenter) in that. Some time ago I drilled some holes for bolts using a bow drill while making a buck saw.

If I wanted precision and alignment a heavy rock in such a frame as you drew might have been the logical answer.

Thanks for all the answers so far it has been enlightening

 

[mr dazzler]

Genesis 22:6
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife.

Is it at all possible that he used a flint and the back of his knife to get something going. At least tinder shouldn't have been a problem

OR maybe they had a certain way of keeping embes alive till the next day, maybe a special wood or bush that burned slow? Because of course (acording to stereotype's ) the women would of been last to leave the fire and first to see to it in the morning to cook the bread for those hungry men

 

[BOD]

beachlover,
just reread my post and realised that it could read as a criticism of your research. It is not meant to be and apologies in advance if it came across that way.

I do appreciate your help and the references. Tahnks

 

[beachlover]

Is it at all possible that he used a flint and the back of his knife to get something going. At least tinder shouldn't have been a problem

OR maybe they had a certain way of keeping embes alive till the next day, maybe a special wood or bush that burned slow? Because of course (acording to stereotype's ) the women would of been last to leave the fire and first to see to it in the morning to cook the bread for those hungry men

I can find no elaboration in any of the study books, bible commentaries, dictionaries, or other texts. It would seem that "carried in his own hands the fire and the knife" means just that, so I would suggest that the slow burner / ember is more likely than the flint.
Incidentally, I also found out that while the etymology of the Hebrew word for fire is a bit uncertain, it is thought that it derives from a Semitic root meaning "to be sociable and friendly."