Bible Dictionary
FIRES
Fires may refer to literal flames. In Ezekiel they are associated with burning fuel, while an older rendering of Isaiah 24:15 probably means “east” or the region of light.
Definition
Fires are literal flames or burning places. In one older translation, “fires” represents a word understood by the Revised Version as referring to the region of light or the east. Elsewhere the word refers plainly to fires or flames used in burning.
Biblical Usage
The King James Version renders Isaiah 24:15 with “fires,” while the Revised Version understands the context to favor “east.” In Ezekiel 39:9-10, “fires” refers to literal burning, though the verb in verse 9 and the noun in verse 10 come from different roots.
Historical Background
The supplied material notes that the Isaiah term is associated with lights, especially the Urim in the phrase “Urim and Thummim,” but that “east,” meaning the region of light, better suits the context and is adopted by many modern scholars.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>firz:</p><p>In Isa 24:15 the King James Version translates 'urim ("lights," especially Urim in the phrase "Urim and Thummim") "fires." The Revised Version (British and American), understanding the word to mean the region of light, translates "east," which satisfies the context far better, and is adopted by many modern scholars. In Eze 39:9,10 the Revised Version (British and American) has "fires"; in 39:9 "make fires" is a translation of a verb of different root; in Eze 39:10 "fires" translates the common singular noun for fire.</p>