Bible Dictionary
Firebrand
A firebrand is a burning stick, torch, or flaming dart. Figuratively, it can describe an angry or destructive person, or someone mercifully rescued from destruction.
Definition
A firebrand was a burning stick, torch, or flaming dart. The term could refer to a torch attached to objects, a burning missile, or the charred end of a stick taken from a fire.
Biblical Usage
Firebrand describes angry or destructive persons and those rescued from destruction. Samson’s torches, burning darts, and the imagery of a brand drawn from fire illustrate its varied biblical uses.
Historical Background
Different Hebrew terms underlie the references: one denotes a burning stick, another a lamp or torch, and another sparks or fiery darts.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Isa. 7:4, Amos 4:11, Zech. 3:2, denotes the burnt end of a stick (Heb. ‘ud); in Judg. 15:4, a lamp or torch, a flambeau (Heb. lappid); in Prov. 26:18 (comp. Eph. 6:16), burning darts or arrows (Heb. zikkim).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>fir'-brand ('udh, used for a burning stick taken out of the fire):</p><p>In Jud 15:4,5 describing the "brands" (margin "torches") which Samson tied to the foxes' tails, the word is lappidh ("lamp"; see Jud 7:16,20 the Revised Version (British and American), "torches"). Other words are ziqqim, "sparks," "flames" (fiery darts; Pr 26:18), and ziqoth (Isa 50:11); 'udh is used figuratively of angry men (Isa 7:4), and of those mercifully rescued from destruction (Am 4:11; Zec 3:2; the Revised Version (British and American) "brand"). the Revised Version (British and American) gives "firebrand" as translation of moqedh (the King James Version "hearth") in Ps 102:3, "My bones are burned as a firebrand" (margin "as a hearth").</p><p>See BRAND.</p><p>W. L. Walker</p>