Furnace
Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897) · International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
Gustave Doré, La Grande Bible de Tours (1866) — via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
THE DICTIONARY — Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)
(l.) Chald. attun, a large furnace with a wide open mouth, at the top of which materials were cast in (Daniel 3:22, 23; comp. Jeremiah 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.) Hebrews kibshan, a smelting furnace (Genesis 19:28), also a lime- ki ln (Isaiah 33:12; Amos 2:1). (3.) Hebrews kur, a refining furnace (Proverbs 17:3; 27:21; Ezekiel 22:18). (4.) Hebrews alii, a crucible; only used in Psalm 12:6. (5.) Hebrews tannur, oven for baking bread (Genesis 15:17; Isaiah 31:9; Nehemiah 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” (Genesis 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 OVEN.) (6.) Gr. kamnos, a furnace, kiln, or oven (Matthew 13:42, 50; Revelation 1:15; 9:2).
THE FULL ARTICLE — from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915), general editor James Orr — public domain, printed whole.
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