In biblical times, heating was an essential aspect of daily life, particularly in the cooler months and in regions with colder climates. The methods and materials used for heating in ancient Israel and surrounding areas are mentioned in various passages of the Bible, providing insight into the domestic and communal practices of the time.

Fireplaces and Hearths

The primary means of heating in biblical times was through the use of fire. Fireplaces and hearths were common in homes and public buildings. In Jeremiah 36:22, we read about King Jehoiakim sitting in his winter house with a fire burning in the hearth before him: "Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, with a fire burning in the brazier before him." This passage illustrates the use of a brazier, a type of portable heater, to provide warmth during the colder months.

Fuel Sources

The most common fuel sources for heating were wood and charcoal. Wood was readily available and used extensively for both heating and cooking. In Isaiah 44:14-15, the prophet describes the process of cutting down trees for various purposes, including fuel: "He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar, and the rain nourishes it. Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread."

Charcoal, made by burning wood in a low-oxygen environment, was also used for heating. It provided a more controlled and longer-lasting source of heat compared to raw wood.

Communal Heating

In addition to individual homes, communal spaces such as synagogues and meeting places would have required heating. While the Bible does not provide specific details about heating in these settings, it is reasonable to assume that similar methods, such as braziers or larger hearths, would have been employed to ensure comfort during gatherings.

Symbolic Use of Heat and Fire

Beyond its practical applications, heat and fire hold significant symbolic meaning in the Bible. Fire often represents the presence and power of God, as seen in the burning bush encountered by Moses (Exodus 3:2) and the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites by night (Exodus 13:21). Fire is also used metaphorically to describe purification and judgment, as in Malachi 3:2-3, where the Lord is likened to a refiner's fire.

Conclusion

Heating in biblical times was a vital aspect of daily life, achieved primarily through the use of wood and charcoal fires. The Bible provides glimpses into the practical and symbolic roles of heat and fire, reflecting both the daily realities and the deeper spiritual truths of the ancient world.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Heat.

2. (a.) That heats or imparts heat; promoting warmth or heat; exciting action; stimulating; as, heating medicines or applications.

Chapter Iii Precious Answers to Prayer
... "It was towards the end of November of 1857, when I was most unexpectedly informed
that the boiler of our heating apparatus at No.1 leaked very considerably ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter iii precious answers to.htm

Whether Human Acts are Specified by their End?
... Wherefore heating, as an action, is nothing else than a certain movement proceeding
from heat, while heating as a passion is nothing else than a movement ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether human acts are specified.htm

Whether the Father and the Son Love Each Other by the Holy Ghost?
... For we say that fire warms by heating, although heating is not the heat which is
the form of the fire, but is an action proceeding from the fire; and we say ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the father and the 2.htm

Building for Community Service
... simple provision for games. Problems of plumbing and heating must be worked
out in accordance with local conditions. In the larger ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter v building for community.htm

Whether the Fire Whereby the World Will be Cleansed Will be of the ...
... For fire, whether produced by the sun or by some lower heating cause, is of the
same species as fire in its own sphere, except in so far as the former has some ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the fire whereby the.htm

Preaching the Gospel, Healing the Sick
... Milk is renowned for its heating properties, and is most unwillingly consumed by
the tubercular patient, who believes her disease to fall under the heading of ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xxii preaching the gospel.htm

Geological Reform.
... Sir W. Thomson refers to certain investigations which prove that the present thermal
condition of the interior of the earth implies either a heating of the ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xi geological reform.htm

For what Reason the Prophet Isaiah is Said to have Been Purified ...
... favourable to its proper action, it comes in contact with things not congenial,"
first, it perchance makes things easily changed to heating hot, and through ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xiii for what reason.htm

Concerning the Nature as viewed in Species and in Individual, and ...
... the same as if one said "the putting on of man's nature") signifies that the
conjunction is with flesh, that is to say, with man, just as the heating of iron ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xi concerning the nature as.htm

How we are to Conform Ourselves to God's Will Signified unto us by ...
... BY WHICH GOD INSPIRES US. The rays of the sun enlighten while heating and
heat while enlightening. Inspiration is a heavenly ray ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x how we are.htm

Heating-pot (2 Occurrences)
Heating-pot. Heating, Heating-pot. Heats . Multi-Version Concordance
Heating-pot (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 17:3 The ...
/h/heating-pot.htm - 6k

Heating (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) That heats or imparts heat; promoting warmth or heat; exciting action;
stimulating; as, heating medicines or applications. ...Heating (4 Occurrences). ...
/h/heating.htm - 8k

Oven (22 Occurrences)
... (See Genesis 18:6; 1 Kings 19:6.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A place arched
over with brick or stonework, and used for baking, heating, or drying; hence ...
/o/oven.htm - 15k

Oven-fire (2 Occurrences)
... Oven-fire (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 17:3 The heating-pot is for silver and the
oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts. (BBE). ...
/o/oven-fire.htm - 6k

Forge (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A place or establishment where iron or other metals are wrought by heating
and hammering; especially, a furnace, or a shop with its furnace, etc ...
/f/forge.htm - 9k

Soft (36 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 22:20 As they put silver and brass and iron and lead and tin together inside
the oven, heating up the fire on it to make it soft; so will I get you ...
/s/soft.htm - 20k

Metal (69 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 44:12 The iron-worker is heating the metal in the fire, giving it form with
his hammers, and working on it with his strong arm: then for need of food ...
/m/metal.htm - 30k

Kettle (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A metallic vessel, with a wide mouth, often without
a cover, used for heating and boiling water or other liquids. Int. ...
/k/kettle.htm - 8k

Loses (17 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 44:12 The iron-worker is heating the metal in the fire, giving it form with
his hammers, and working on it with his strong arm: then for need of food ...
/l/loses.htm - 10k

Warm (25 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) The act of warming, or the state of being warmed; a warming; a
heating. Multi-Version Concordance Warm (25 Occurrences). ...
/w/warm.htm - 15k

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