מוֹקֵד

מוֹקֵד

a fire or fuel; abstractly, a conflagration

Definition

The noun מוֹקֵד (môwqêd) refers to a source of fire, specifically a burning mass or a hearth. It describes a fire that is actively burning and providing heat, as in the 'burning hearth' of Psalm 102:3 (Hebrew 102:4). In its other biblical occurrence, Isaiah 33:14, it takes on a more abstract and terrifying sense, referring to a 'consuming fire' or 'everlasting burnings' that symbolize God's purifying and destructive judgment against sin. Thus, the word spans a range from a concrete, physical fire to a metaphor for divine wrath.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the Old Testament. In Psalm 102:3, it is used literally for a domestic 'hearth' or fire, illustrating the psalmist's physical frailty ('my bones burn like a hearth'). In Isaiah 33:14, it is used metaphorically in a prophetic question about who can dwell with the 'consuming fire' of God's holiness. The usage pattern shows a movement from a personal, physical image to a corporate, theological one concerning God's nature.

Etymology

מוֹקֵד is derived from the root verb יָקַד (yāqad, H3344), meaning 'to burn, to be kindled.' It is a noun form indicating the place or instrument of burning. Cognate words include מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdāsh, H4720), 'sanctuary' (a place set apart), showing a conceptual link between burning/consecration and holiness.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects the tangible reality of fire with the nature of God. In Isaiah 33:14, the 'everlasting burnings' (מוֹקֵד) are a powerful image of God's unapproachable holiness and righteous judgment, posing the fundamental question of human survival before a holy God. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these passages by highlighting the intensity and permanence associated with God's purifying presence. In ancient Israelite culture, a מוֹקֵד was a central and necessary source of heat and light for cooking and warmth. The hearth was a focal point of the home. This makes its use in Isaiah 33:14 particularly striking—the familiar, life-sustaining hearth is transformed into a symbol of an unquenchable, divine fire that is both terrifying and purifying. אֵשׁ (ʾēsh, H784) — The general word for 'fire.' מוֹקֵד is a specific kind of fire (a burning mass/hearth). לַהַב (lahav, H3857) — A 'flame' or 'blade,' emphasizing the blazing, active part of a fire, whereas מוֹקֵד emphasizes the source or mass.

Word Details