Coal

Carbonised vegetable material of wood, woody matter or charcoal, used for burning.

Coal used to burn incense

Leviticus 16:12–13 See also Numbers 16:16–18, Numbers 16:35–38

Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.

Coal burned in the Most Holy Place

Isaiah 6:4–7

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

Coal used for baking and cooking

1 Kings 19:6 See also Isaiah 44:19; Ezekiel 24:9–11; John 21:9

And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.

Coal used for domestic fires

Isaiah 47:14 See also Isaiah 30:12–14

Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside.

Coal used by blacksmiths

Isaiah 44:12 See also Isaiah 54:16

The blacksmith takes a tool and labors over the coals; he fashions an idol with hammers and forges it with his strong arms. Yet he grows hungry and loses his strength; he fails to drink water and grows faint.

Burning coal associated with divine punishment

Psalm 11:6 See also Psalm 120:3–4, Psalm 140:9–10

On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals and sulfur; a scorching wind will be their portion.

Burning coal in descriptions of God

In poetic passages

2 Samuel 22:8–9 parallel Psalm 18:7–8

Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the heavens trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger. Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.

In visions

Ezekiel 1:4–14 See also Ezekiel 10:1–2

Metaphorical use of coal

2 Samuel 14:7 See also Proverbs 6:27–29, Proverbs 25:21–22; Romans 12:17–21

Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.”