For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Genesis 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Leviticus 6:9,13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 7:1,3). The expressions "fire from heaven" and "fire of the Lord" generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Exodus 29:18; Leviticus 1:9; 2:3; 3:5,9). Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called "strange fire" (Leviticus 10:1,2; Numbers 3:4). The victims slain for sin offerings were afterwards consumed by fire outside the camp (Leviticus 4:12,21; 6:30; 16:27; Hebrews 13:11).
Punishment of death by fire was inflicted on such as were guilty of certain forms of unchastity and incest (Leviticus 20:14; 21:9). The burning of captives in war was not unknown among the Jews (2 Samuel 12:31; Jeremiah 29:22). The bodies of infamous persons who were executed were also sometimes burned (Joshua 7:25; 2 Kings 23:16).
In war, fire was used in the destruction of cities, as Jericho (Joshua 6:24), Ai (Joshua 8:19), Hazor (Joshua 11:11), Laish (Judges 18:27), etc. The war-chariots of the Canaanites were burnt (Joshua 11:6,9,13). The Israelites burned the images (2 Kings 10:26; R.V., "pillars") of the house of Baal. These objects of worship seem to have been of the nature of obelisks, and were sometimes evidently made of wood. Torches were sometimes carried by the soldiers in battle (Judges 7:16).
