Furnace

A closed fireplace made of brick or stone for domestic or industrial usage. Used figuratively, it represents God's presence, testing and judgment.

Everyday use of furnaces

As a stove or oven

Nehemiah 3:11, Nehemiah 12:38; Lamentations 5:10; Daniel 3:6

As a kiln

Exodus 9:8

For smelting metals

Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 27:21

Figurative use of furnaces

As a symbol of God's majestic presence

Genesis 15:17; Isaiah 31:9

As a symbol of affliction and testing

Isaiah 48:10 See also Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Kings 8:51; Proverbs 17:3; Jeremiah 11:4

See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

As a symbol of God's wrath

Matthew 13:42 See also Genesis 19:28; Psalm 21:9; Ezekiel 22:17–22; Malachi 4:1; Matthew 13:50; Revelation 9:2

And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.