A pyre is a structure, typically made of wood, used for burning a body as part of a funeral rite or execution. While the term "pyre" itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept of burning bodies is present in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. In biblical times, cremation was not a common practice among the Israelites, who traditionally buried their dead. However, there are instances where burning is mentioned, often associated with judgment or desecration.

Old Testament References

1. Judgment and Punishment: In the Old Testament, burning was sometimes used as a form of divine judgment or punishment. For example, in Leviticus 20:14 , it is stated, "If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned in fire, so that there will be no depravity among you." This indicates that burning was used as a severe form of punishment for certain transgressions.

2. Desecration of Idols: The burning of idols and pagan objects is another context where fire is used. In Deuteronomy 7:25 , God commands the Israelites, "You must burn up the carved images of their gods. Do not covet the silver or gold that is on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God."

3. The Fate of the Wicked: The imagery of fire is often associated with the fate of the wicked. In Isaiah 30:33 , it is written, "For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its fire pit has been made deep and wide, with an abundance of fire and wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze." This passage uses the imagery of a pyre to describe the judgment awaiting the wicked.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention pyres, the concept of fire as a symbol of judgment and purification is prevalent. For instance, in Matthew 3:12 , John the Baptist speaks of the coming Messiah, saying, "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." This metaphorical use of fire underscores the theme of divine judgment.

Cultural and Theological Context

In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, cremation was practiced by some neighboring nations, but it was generally avoided by the Israelites. The preference for burial is rooted in the belief in bodily resurrection, as seen in the burial practices of the patriarchs and the emphasis on burial sites, such as the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:19).

Theologically, fire in the Bible often represents God's holiness, judgment, and purifying presence. The use of fire in sacrificial offerings, as described in Leviticus, symbolizes the offering being consumed and accepted by God. In this sense, fire serves as a means of purification and consecration.

Conclusion

While the specific term "pyre" is not found in the Bible, the concept of burning, particularly in the context of judgment and purification, is a recurring theme. The biblical use of fire underscores the seriousness of sin, the holiness of God, and the ultimate fate of the wicked, while also highlighting the hope of purification and redemption for the faithful.(n.) A funeral pile; a combustible heap on which the dead are burned; hence, any pile to be burnt.5635. saraph -- burn
... Word Origin the same as saraph, qv. burn A primitive root; to cremate, ie To be
(near) of kin (such being privileged to kindle the pyre) -- burn. 5634, 5635. ...
/hebrew/5635.htm - 5k

4071. medurah -- a pile (of wood)
... Short Definition: pile. Word Origin from dur Definition a pile (of wood)
NASB Word Usage pile (1), pyre (1). pile for fire. Or mdurah ...
/hebrew/4071.htm - 6k

The Cruelty of the Sacrifices to the Gods.
... fire [unquenchable]. But O man, who lovest the human race better, and art
truer than Apollo, pity him that is bound on the pyre. Do ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter iii the cruelty of the.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... As soon as the body had been placed on the pyre the "march past" began in the same
order, the officers and men of the various army corps making their ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp,
... For he had always been honored, even before his martyrdom, for his holy life.
?^3Straightway then, they set about him the material prepared for the pyre. ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the martyrdom of saint polycarp.htm

If the Scorpion, Swinging his Tail in the Air...
... His own, had required martyrdoms for Himself, who would have reproached Him for
the deadly religion, and the mournful ceremonies, and the altar-pyre, and the ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter vii if the scorpion.htm

A Disgraceful Feature of the Roman Mythology it Honours Such ...
... 7. [Tom. vii. p. 184.]. [946] ??ditum ejus. [947] That is, when he mounted the pyre.
[948] Herculi functam. "Fungi alicui" means to satisfy, or yield to. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter x a disgraceful feature of.htm

Gods, those which were Confessedly Elevated to the Divine ...
... You, however, raised him from the pyre to the sky, with the same facility with which
(you have distinguished in like manner) another hero [1051] also, who was ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xiv gods those which were.htm

The Same Night which Saw the Red Glare of the Burning Monastery ...
... night which saw the red glare of the burning monastery reflected from end to end
of the Campagna, like the glow of some gigantic pagan funeral pyre, saw also ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxvi the same night which.htm

The Judicial Retribution of These Migrations Refuted with Raillery ...
... sepulture allowed him. Not that any great care, after all, is bestowed on his
pyre, so that other animals light upon his remains. At any ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxxiii the judicial retribution of.htm

Analogies to the History of Christ.
... whom you deem worthy of deification, and in whose behalf you produce some one who
swears he has seen the burning C??sar rise to heaven from the funeral pyre? ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xxi analogies to the history.htm

What Sin Does to Men
... then? Evil deeds are the occasion of the divine retribution. They are 'a
spark.' It is they who light the pyre, not God. The prophet ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/what sin does to men.htm

Pyre (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pyre (1 Occurrence). ... Yes, for the king it is made ready.
He has made its pyre deep and large with fire and much wood. ...
/p/pyre.htm - 6k

Pile (16 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A mass formed in layers; as, a pile of shot. 9. (n.) A funeral pile;
a pyre. 10. (n.) A large building, or mass of buildings. 11. ...
/p/pile.htm - 13k

Kindles (6 Occurrences)
... Yes, for the king it is made ready. He has made its pyre deep and large with fire
and much wood. Yahweh's breath, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it. ...
/k/kindles.htm - 8k

Kindle (25 Occurrences)
... Yes, for the king it is made ready. He has made its pyre deep and large with fire
and much wood. Yahweh's breath, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it. ...
/k/kindle.htm - 15k

Pyrrhus (1 Occurrence)

/p/pyrrhus.htm - 7k

Pyramid

/p/pyramid.htm - 7k

Sulfur (14 Occurrences)
... Yes, for the king it is made ready. He has made its pyre deep and large with fire
and much wood. Yahweh's breath, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it. ...
/s/sulfur.htm - 10k

Fire (602 Occurrences)
... Acts 28:2, 3 has pura, "pyre," and Mark 14:54 Luke 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised
Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set on ...
/f/fire.htm - 78k

Molech (16 Occurrences)
... The place where it was practiced from the days of Ahaz and Manasseh was the Valley
of Hinnom where Topheth stood, a huge altar-pyre for the burning of the ...
/m/molech.htm - 24k

Moloch (2 Occurrences)
... The place where it was practiced from the days of Ahaz and Manasseh was the Valley
of Hinnom where Topheth stood, a huge altar-pyre for the burning of the ...
/m/moloch.htm - 21k

Who was William Carey? | GotQuestions.org

Pyre: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus