A fire-pan, also referred to as a censer in some biblical translations, is a vessel used in the context of ancient Israelite worship and sacrificial practices. It is primarily mentioned in the Old Testament and is associated with the tabernacle and temple services.

Biblical References:

The fire-pan is first introduced in the context of the tabernacle's construction and its associated rituals. In Exodus 27:3, the Berean Standard Bible states: "Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes, its shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans." This indicates that the fire-pan was one of the essential bronze utensils used in the service of the altar.

In Leviticus 16:12, the fire-pan is mentioned in the context of the Day of Atonement: "Then he is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and bring them inside the veil." Here, the fire-pan is used to carry burning coals, which are then used to burn incense before the Lord, signifying the prayers of the people ascending to God.

Function and Symbolism:

The primary function of the fire-pan was to hold burning coals taken from the altar of burnt offering. These coals were used to ignite incense, which was an integral part of the worship and sacrificial system. The fragrant smoke of the incense symbolized the prayers and intercessions of the priests and the people rising to God, as seen in Psalm 141:2: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."

The fire-pan also played a role in the purification and sanctification processes. In Numbers 16:46, during the rebellion of Korah, Moses instructs Aaron to take a censer, put fire from the altar in it, and add incense to make atonement for the people, demonstrating its use in intercessory acts to avert divine judgment.

Construction and Design:

The fire-pan was typically made of bronze, a metal known for its durability and resistance to heat, suitable for handling burning coals. The design would have been practical, allowing the priest to safely transport the coals from the altar to the place where incense was to be offered.

Theological Significance:

In the broader theological context, the fire-pan and its use in burning incense highlight the importance of prayer and intercession in the life of the covenant community. The rising smoke of the incense serves as a powerful image of the connection between the divine and human realms, emphasizing the role of the priest as a mediator between God and His people.

The fire-pan, therefore, is not merely a liturgical tool but a symbol of the sacred interaction between God and His chosen people, underscoring the holiness and reverence required in approaching the divine presence.4289. machtah -- a fireholder, censer, snuff dish
... Word Origin from chathah Definition a fireholder, censer, snuff dish NASB Word Usage
censer (3), censers (4), firepan (3), firepans (9), trays (3). ...
/hebrew/4289.htm - 6k

"But they are Gods to Us," You Say. ...
... you call Lares, you exercise a domestic authority over, pledging them, selling them,
changing them"making sometimes a cooking-pot of a Saturn, a firepan of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xiii but they are.htm

That I May Refute More Thoroughly These Charges, I Will Show that ...
... taste! Nay, in fact, there is here a test you should apply to discover
Christians, as well as the fire-pan and the censer. They ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ix that i may.htm

Firepan (2 Occurrences)
...Firepan (2 Occurrences). ... Numbers 16:17 and take ye every man his fire-pan, and put
incense upon them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his fire-pan, two ...
/f/firepan.htm - 9k

Fire-pan (4 Occurrences)
Fire-pan. Firepan, Fire-pan. Firepans . Multi-Version Concordance Fire-pan
(4 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Firepan, Fire-pan. Firepans . Reference Bible.
/f/fire-pan.htm - 7k

Firepans (9 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:17 and take ye every man his fire-pan, and put incense upon them, and
bring ye before the LORD every man his fire-pan, two hundred and fifty fire ...
/f/firepans.htm - 9k

Censer (10 Occurrences)
... pureion = a fire-pan. ... The former word is generally rendered "censer," sometimes
"firepan," and in three cases (Exodus 25:38; Exodus 37:23 Numbers 4:9 ...
/c/censer.htm - 14k

Fire-offerings (18 Occurrences)
Fire-offerings. Fire-offering, Fire-offerings. Firepan . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(YLT). Fire-offering, Fire-offerings. Firepan . Reference Bible.
/f/fire-offerings.htm - 12k

Laver (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews kiyor), a "basin" for boiling in, a "pan" for
cooking (1 Samuel 2:14), a "fire-pan" or hearth (Zechariah 12:6), the sacred ...
/l/laver.htm - 17k

Doorway (221 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:18 And they took every man his fire-pan, and put fire in them, and laid
incense thereon, and stood at the door of the tent of meeting with Moses and ...
/d/doorway.htm - 35k

Hearth (12 Occurrences)
... apartment. Hebrews kiyor (Zechariah 12:6; RV, "pan"), a fire-pan. Hebrews
moqed (Psalm 102:3; RV, "fire-brand"), properly a fagot. ...
/h/hearth.htm - 15k

Altar (343 Occurrences)
... On altar furniture see POT; SHOVEL; BASIN; FLESH-HOOK; FIREPAN. On the site, TEMPLE,
and generally, ARIEL; SACRIFICE; SANCTUARY; TABERNACLE; HIGH PLACE. ...
/a/altar.htm - 78k

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