ἀνθρακιά
a heap of burning coals
Definition
ἀνθρακιά refers to a heap or pile of burning coals, specifically a charcoal fire. In the New Testament, it consistently describes a fire made with charcoal rather than wood, used for warmth or cooking. In John 18:18, it is the fire in the courtyard where Peter warms himself and denies Jesus. In John 21:9, it is the fire Jesus prepared on the shore to cook fish for the disciples after His resurrection. The word emphasizes a contained, glowing fire of coals.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both in the Gospel of John. Both occurrences are in narrative contexts describing a specific, tangible fire. In John 18:18, the fire is associated with Peter's denial in a cold setting. In John 21:9, the fire is part of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance and provision of a meal. The usage is concrete and descriptive, not metaphorical.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word ἄνθραξ (anthrax, G440), meaning 'a coal' or 'charcoal.' The suffix -ία typically forms nouns denoting a collection or state, thus ἀνθρακιά essentially means 'a collection of coals' or 'a charcoal fire.' It is not derived from ἀ- (a negative prefix) as sometimes mistakenly thought; that is a separate prefix.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a common noun, its two uses in John create a powerful narrative contrast. The fire in John 18:18 is the setting for Peter's failure and denial. The fire in John 21:9 is prepared by the resurrected Christ for restoration and fellowship, culminating in Peter's recommissioning (John 21:15-19). This juxtaposition highlights themes of human failure, divine grace, and restoration.
Charcoal fires (anthrakiai) were common in the ancient world for domestic warmth and cooking, especially in urban settings where wood might be scarce. They provided a steady, controllable heat. The fire in a courtyard (John 18:18) would be a typical gathering point for servants and guards. The seaside fire (John 21:9) reflects practical hospitality and meal preparation.
πῦρ (pyr, G4442) — a general word for fire, which can be of any fuel. ἄνθραξ (anthrax, G440) — a single coal or charcoal piece, not a heap or fire.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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