Lexical Summary pecham: Charcoal, coal Original Word: פֶחָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance coals Perhaps from an unused root probably meaning to be black; a coal, whether charred or live -- coals. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition coal NASB Translation charcoal (1), coals (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶּחָם noun [masculine] coal (collective); absolute ׳פ, as inflammable, לְגֶחָלִים ׳פ Proverbs 26:21 (charcoal for embers, Toy); of glowing coal Isaiah 44:12, ׳אֵשׁ פ Isaiah 54:16; Psalm 11:6 for ᵑ0 מַּחִ֑ים אֵשׁ read מַּחַם אֵשׁ (or מַּחֲמֵי) coals of fire ("" גָּפְרִית), so Ew and others פחת (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Overview and Core Imagery The term pictures the compacted fuel that burns hotter and longer than common wood, an indispensable resource for ancient households and forges. Its darkness, latent energy, and capacity to inflame become vivid metaphors for human conduct and divine sovereignty. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts • Proverbs 26:21 presents it parallel to wood, illustrating how a contentious person provokes quarrels just as charcoal revives dying embers. Symbolism and Theological Themes 1. Fuel for Strife or Service – In Proverbs the substance magnifies discord, warning believers that heart-level sparks can become consuming fires if fed. Historical and Technological Background Ironworking required temperatures higher than ordinary flames could achieve; charcoal’s higher carbon content met that need. Smiths fanned the glowing coals with bellows, producing implements for agriculture, domestic use, warfare, and, sadly, idolatry. The Bible’s casual mention of this technology reflects the everyday reality of eighth– to sixth-century Judah, where iron tools and weapons were commonplace and artisanship flourished. Intertextual Echoes The blacksmith imagery anticipates later scriptural insights into spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-17). Just as the earthly forge shapes metal, so God fashions believers’ armor. The coal that kindled Peter’s denial (John 18:18, Greek anthrakia) ironically reappears at his restoration breakfast with the risen Christ (John 21:9), reminding readers that the same fire can expose sin or warm repentance depending on the Master’s intent. Practical Ministry Applications • Peacemaking – Leaders and congregants alike must guard tongues and tempers; one quarrelsome spirit can ignite division as rapidly as charcoal rekindles dying embers. Conclusion Pecham carries more than heat; it bears witness to the dynamics of human passion, creative industry, and divine rule. Whether stoking unnecessary conflict or fueling tools in the hand of a sovereign God, its three scriptural appearances invite readers to steward their own “coals” for righteousness, confident that the One who created both fire and forge also ordains their ultimate outcome. Forms and Transliterations בַּפֶּחָ֔ם בפחם פֶּחָ֔ם פֶּחָ֣ם פחם bap·pe·ḥām bappeCham bappeḥām pe·ḥām peCham peḥāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 26:21 HEB: פֶּחָ֣ם לְ֭גֶחָלִים וְעֵצִ֣ים NAS: [Like] charcoal to hot embers and wood KJV: [As] coals [are] to burning coals, INT: charcoal to hot and wood Isaiah 44:12 Isaiah 54:16 3 Occurrences |
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cut off, VII. be perforated (of roof); Syriac 
Pa`el pierce, break through, 
pit, chasm; Late Hebrew מָּחַת dig, hollow out, also diminish).