Furnace

Furnace - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(1.) Chald. attun, a large furnace with a wide open mouth, at the top of which materials were cast in (Dan. 3:22, 23; comp. Jer. 29:22). This furnace would be in constant requisition, for the Babylonians disposed of their dead by cremation, as did also the Accadians who invaded Mesopotamia.

(2.) Heb. kibshan, a smelting furnace (Gen. 19:28), also a lime-kiln (Isa. 33:12; Amos 2:1).

(3.) Heb. kur, a refining furnace (Prov. 17:3; 27:21; Ezek. 22:18).

(4.) Heb. alil, a crucible; only used in Ps. 12:6.

(5.) Heb. tannur, oven for baking bread (Gen. 15:17; Isa. 31:9; Neh. 3:11). It was a large pot, narrowing towards the top. When it was heated by a fire made within, the dough was spread over the heated surface, and thus was baked. "A smoking furnace and a burning lamp" (Gen. 15:17), the symbol of the presence of the Almighty, passed between the divided pieces of Abraham's sacrifice in ratification of the covenant God made with him. (See [225]OVEN.)

(6.) Gr. kamnos, a furnace, kiln, or oven (Matt. 13:42, 50; Rev. 1:15; 9:2).

Furnace - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

FUR'NACE, n. [L. fornax, furnus, either from burning, or the sense is an arch.]

1. A place where a vehement fire and heat may be made and maintained, for melting ores or metals, _c. A furnace for casting cannon and other large operations is inclosed with walls through which a current of air is blown from a large bellows. In smaller operations a vessel is constructed with a chamber or cavity, with a door and a grate.

2. In scripture, a place of cruel bondage and affliction. Deu 4.

3. Grievous afflictions by which men are tried. Ezek 22.

4. A place of temporal torment. Dan 3.

5. Hell; the place of endless torment. Mat 13.

FUR'NACE, v.t. To throw out sparks as a furnace.

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

Kibhshan, in Ge 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 Ex 9:8, where Yahweh commands to take "handfuls of ashes of the furnace and .... sprinkle it toward heaven," etc.

Kur, in De 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 Ps 12:6, where "the words of Yahweh" are said to be "pure," "as silver tried in a furnace"; compare Pr 17:3, "furnace for gold."

`Attun, in Da 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 (Mt 13:42) as part of the remarkable imagery of that parable; while in the companion parable of the Drag-Net (Mt 13:50) it stands as a symbol of the final destiny of the impenitent, a synonym of "hell"; compare Jer 29:22; Da 3:6,22; Re 20:14-15, etc., and "eternal fire" (Mt 25:41), "unquenchable fire" (Mt 3:12), "the Gehenna of fire" (Mt 5:22 margin; Mt 18:9 parallel Mr 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

Definition

A furnace was a very large oven used for heating objects to a high temperature.

• In ancient times, most furnaces were used for melting metals to make objects such as cooking pots, jewelry, weapons, and idols.
• Furnaces were also used in the making of clay pottery.
• Sometimes a furnace is referred to figuratively to explain that something is very hot.

(See also: false god, image)

Bible References

• 1 Kings 8:51
• Genesis 19:28
• Proverbs 17:3
• Psalms 21:9
• Revelation 9:2

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0861, H3536, H3564, H5948, H8574, G25750