אוּד
a poker (for turning or gathering embers)
Definition
The Hebrew noun אוּד (ʼûwd) refers to a firebrand or poker, a stick used to stir, gather, or transport burning coals or embers from a fire. It is a tool for managing a fire, either to revive a fading flame or to remove a dangerous, burning piece. In its three biblical occurrences, the word is used metaphorically. In Isaiah 7:4, it describes the defeated kings Rezin and Pekah as mere 'smoldering stubs of firebrands,' emphasizing their diminished threat. In Amos 4:11 and Zechariah 3:2, the imagery shifts to a brand 'snatched from the fire,' symbolizing a dramatic, gracious rescue from total destruction.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only three times, always in prophetic books (Isaiah, Amos, Zechariah) and always in a figurative, symbolic context. It is never used literally for a physical tool. The pattern is one of vivid metaphor: in Isaiah 7:4, it illustrates a weakened military threat ('smoldering stubs'), while in Amos 4:11 and Zechariah 3:2, it powerfully depicts salvation from imminent doom ('a brand snatched from the fire').
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to rake together' or 'to heap up.' This root concept directly informs its meaning as an implement for gathering and moving embers. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, support the sense of a glowing firebrand or torch.
Semantic Range
Though a simple object, its metaphorical use carries significant theological weight. It becomes a potent symbol of God's sovereign rescue and preservation. The image of a 'brand snatched from the fire' (Amos 4:11, Zechariah 3:2) powerfully illustrates divine grace intervening to save a remnant from total judgment or corruption. In Zechariah 3:2, it is applied directly to the high priest Joshua, prefiguring God's cleansing and restoration of his people. Understanding this Hebrew metaphor enriches the reading of these passages, moving from a simple 'stick' to a profound symbol of salvation from the brink.
In an ancient agrarian society reliant on open fires for cooking, warmth, and light, a firebrand was a common, essential tool. Everyone would understand its dual nature: a useful source of fire, but also a dangerous, burning object that could easily start a destructive blaze if not handled properly. This tangible, everyday reality made it an effective and instantly recognizable metaphor for the prophets.
לַהַב (lahav, H3857) — a flame or blade, focusing on the active burning, not the tool. אֵשׁ (ʼesh, H784) — the general word for fire, not a specific implement. פִּיד (pîyd, H6365) — a ruin or disaster, sometimes metaphorically linked to calamity, but not a fire tool.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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