Furnace Meaning - Bible Definition and References (2024)

FURNACE

fur'-nas:

The word is used in the Old Testament English Versions of the Bible to translate several Hebrew words:

Kibhshan, in Genesis 19:28, where the smoke of the destruction of the cities of the plain is said to have ascended "as the smoke of a furnace"; in Exodus 9:8, where Yahweh commands to take "handfuls of ashes of the furnace and .... sprinkle it toward heaven," etc.

Kur, in Deuteronomy 4:20, where Yahweh is represented, when speaking of taking the children of Israel out of Egypt, as taking them "out of the iron furnace."

`Alil in Psalms 12:6, where "the words of Yahweh" are said to be "pure," "as silver tried in a furnace"; compare Proverbs 17:3, "furnace for gold."

`Attun, in Daniel 3:6, where mention is made of "a burning fiery furnace" into which Daniel and his companions were cast. There is good reason to believe that these words all stand for either a brick-kiln or a smelting furnace.

In the New Testament a notable figurative use is made of the word in the phrase "the furnace of fire," he kaminos tou puros. It is found in the parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:42) as part of the remarkable imagery of that parable; while in the companion parable of the Drag-Net (Matthew 13:50) it stands as a symbol of the final destiny of the impenitent, a synonym of "hell"; compare Jeremiah 29:22; Daniel 3:6,22; Revelation 20:14-15, etc., and "eternal fire" (Matthew 25:41), "unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12), "the Gehenna of fire" (Matthew 5:22 margin; Matthew 18:9 parallel Mark 9:43 margin, etc.). A fact which modern travelers speak of, that furnaces for punishment have been found in Persia as elsewhere in the East, sheds some light upon this use of the expression "the furnace of fire."

George B. Eager

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Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'FURNACE'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

Furnace Meaning - Bible Definition and References (2024)

FAQs

Furnace Meaning - Bible Definition and References? ›

Furnace [N] [S] Chald. attun, a large furnace with a wide open mouth, at the top of which materials were cast in ( Daniel 3:22 Daniel 3:23 ; Compare Jeremiah 29:22 ).

What does the furnace mean in the Bible? ›

Reference number 5321, “furnace” The reference show 21+ references to “furnaces” in the Bible including: “Everyday use of furnaces as stoves or ovens, as a kiln, for smelting metals. “Figurative use of furnaces. as a symbol of God's majestic presence, as a symbol of affliction and testing, as a symbol of God's wrath.”

What is the furnace of fire in the Bible? ›

Malachi describes a day that will be like the burning of a furnace, when everything gets rearranged, when a lot of things just can't take the heat. And Jesus foretells a time of turmoil and conflict, plagues, earthquakes, and famines—the literal shaking of the foundations of the world we thought we knew.

What is the significance of furnace? ›

Furnaces are used to keep homes warm in winter by heating the inside air. During summer, they help circulate the conditioned air from your cooling system. They are a very good option if you need consistent air circulation in your home to keep you warm and comfortable.

What is the old meaning of furnace? ›

Furnace comes from the Old French fornaise, "oven," with the Latin root word fornacem, "oven or kiln." Definitions of furnace. noun. an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.

What is the furnace of affliction in the Bible? ›

In the time of the Old Testament a "furnace" was a crucible for melting and refining silver and gold (Proverbs 17:3; 27:21). The word is used figuratively in the Scriptures. It this text, it means severe and grievous afflictions by which God purifies and proves His people (Ezekiel 22:18-22; Isaiah 32:9).

What is the definition and meaning of furnace? ›

furnace. noun. fur·​nace ˈfər-nəs. : an enclosed structure in which heat is produced (as for heating a house or melting metals)

What was the purpose of the fiery furnace in Daniel? ›

In the narrative, the three Jewish men are thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon for refusing to bow to the king's image. The three are preserved from harm and the king sees four men walking in the flames, "the fourth ... like a son of God".

Who survived the fiery furnace in the Bible? ›

Nebuchadnezzar could scarcely believe his eyes: there, in the flames, were four men walking around unharmed, one of which “look[ed] like the son of God.” He opened the furnace and ordered them to come out, and when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego emerged from the furnace, it was clear “that the fire had had no power ...

What is the moral lesson of the fiery furnace? ›

Obedience can be costly

In this story, Meshach, Shadrach & Abednego demonstrated obedience in the face of incredible danger. They were literally thrown into the fiery furnace for choosing to be obedient to God instead of obedient to King Nebuchadnezzar. This is a danger that we do face today.

What is the main purpose of furnace? ›

Furnaces heat air and distribute the heated air through the house using ducts. Boilers heat water, and provide either hot water or steam for heating. Steam is distributed via pipes to steam radiators, and hot water can be distributed via baseboard radiators or radiant floor systems, or can heat air via a coil.

What is the primary purpose of a furnace? ›

A furnace is a fundamental component of a home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Its primary function is to heat and circulate warm air throughout the home, ensuring a comfortable living environment during colder months.

What are the three types of furnaces? ›

There are three main types of furnaces you could purchase for your space: natural gas, oil, and electric. Each type of heating method has its own specific characteristics, costs and efficiency ratings.

What does a furnace symbolize in the Bible? ›

It is found in the parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:42) as part of the remarkable imagery of that parable; while in the companion parable of the Drag-Net (Matthew 13:50) it stands as a symbol of the final destiny of the impenitent, a synonym of "hell"; compare Jeremiah 29:22; Daniel 3:6,22; Revelation 20:14-15, etc., ...

What is another name for a furnace? ›

furnace (noun as in heating mechanism) Strongest matches. boiler heater heating system incinerator kiln stove.

What is the ancient Greek word for furnace? ›

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875. FORNAX, dim. FORNA′CULA (κάμινος, dim. καμίνιον), a kiln; a furnace.

Why were the three Hebrew men put into the furnace? ›

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Hebrew names Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) are figures from chapter 3 of the biblical Book of Daniel. In the narrative, the three Jewish men are thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon for refusing to bow to the king's image.

What is the lesson of the fiery furnace in the Bible? ›

Obedience can be costly

In this story, Meshach, Shadrach & Abednego demonstrated obedience in the face of incredible danger. They were literally thrown into the fiery furnace for choosing to be obedient to God instead of obedient to King Nebuchadnezzar. This is a danger that we do face today.

What does fire in the furnace mean? ›

Proverb. there may be snow on the rooftop but there is fire in the furnace. (often humorous) Even if a person is in his or her senior years, with gray hair, he or she can still have ambition and energy, especially sexual energy.

What was Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace used for? ›

King Nebuchadnezzar made a law for all of the people. “Whenever you hear the music playing, you must all bow down and worship the idol. If anyone does not bow down, then they will be put to death by being thrown into a furnace of fire.”

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