fire

fire the phenomenon of combustion as seen in light, flame , and heat; it is one of the basic tools of human culture. In ancient Greece and later, fire was considered one of the four basic elements, a substance from which all things were composed. Its great importance to humans, the mystery of its powers, and its seeming capriciousness have made fire divine or sacred to many peoples. Fire as a god is a characteristic feature of Zoroastrianism, in which, as in many sun-worshiping religions, fire is considered the earthly representative or type of the sun. The belief that fire is sacred is widespread in mythology, and such beliefs have survived in some highly developed cultures. The connection between the Greek colony and the metropolis was the fire kindled in the colony from a brand brought from the mother city's fire. The most carefully preserved cult in Rome was that of Vesta, goddess of the hearth, and her virgins guarded the holy fire. One of the greatest Greek myths is the story of Prometheus , the fire bringer. The theft of fire is a common element in the myths of many other cultures. The ramifications of the human ideas about fire are tremendously complex, extending as they do into the concepts about light and the heavens.

Bibliography: See J. G. Frazer, Myths of the Origins of Fire (1930, repr. 1971); G. Bachelard, Psychoanalysis of Fire (tr. 1964).

fire n. the shooting of projectiles from weapons, especially bullets from guns: a burst of machine-gun fire.
v.
1. discharge a gun or other weapon in order to explosively propel (a bullet or projectile): he fired a shot at the retreating prisoners | they fired off a few rounds.

2. discharge (a gun or other weapon): another gang fired a pistol | troops fired on crowds.

3. (of a gun) be discharged.
under fire being shot at:
observers sent to look for the men came under heavy fire.

fire Incense was burnt in the Temple, and animal sacrifices were roasted with fire. But fire is also a symbol in both OT and NT for an aspect under which God is made known—a ‘consuming fire’ (Heb. 12: 29). It is associated with God's wrath against sin, and the day of the Lord will see the purification of Israel by fire (Zech. 13: 9). Fire is also a symbol of the presence of God, as in the burning bush (Exod. 3: 2) and the appearance on Mount Sinai (Exod. 13: 21–2). The Holy Spirit descended on the apostles at Pentecost in the form of fiery tongues (Acts 2: 3).