from אָכַל; something eaten (by fire), i.e. fuel; fuel.
Transliteration:maʼăkôleth
Pronunciation:mah-ak-o'-leth
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H3980 (מַאֲכֹלֶת, *maʼăkôleth*) is derived from the verbal root H398 (אָכַל, *ʼākal*), which fundamentally means "to eat," "to consume," or "to devour." While the root H398 has a broad semantic range, applying to both animate consumption (e.g., eating food) and inanimate consumption (e.g., fire devouring), H3980 specifically narrows this meaning. It denotes "something eaten by fire," functioning as "fuel." Its core meaning is therefore "fuel" or "material consumed by fire." The term exclusively refers to that which feeds a fire, allowing it to burn and spread, and does not extend to other forms of consumption.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H3980 appears in the prophetic books, consistently referring to material consumed by fire, often in contexts of divine judgment or transformation.
* **[[Isaiah 9:5]] (MT 9:4):** "For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and cloak rolled in blood will be for burning, **fuel** for fire."
* This verse prophesies a future time of profound peace, where the instruments and garments of war are not merely discarded but utterly destroyed by fire. The "boot" and "cloak" become maʼăkôleth, emphasizing the complete and irreversible end of conflict, possibly pointing to the Messianic age where the Prince of Peace reigns. The consumption by fire here signifies the eradication of violence.
* **[[Ezekiel 15:4]]**: "Behold, it is given to the fire for **fuel**; the fire devours both ends of it, and the middle of it is burned. Is it useful for any work?"
* **[[Ezekiel 15:6]]**: "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for **fuel**, so will I give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.'"
* In Ezekiel 15, the prophet uses the metaphor of vine wood to illustrate Jerusalem's spiritual barrenness and impending judgment. Unlike other trees, vine wood is inherently useless for construction or crafting; its only purpose, if it fails to bear fruit, is to be maʼăkôleth for fire. This vivid imagery underscores the divine judgment against Jerusalem, portraying its people as unfruitful and destined for utter consumption by the fire of God's wrath due to their unfaithfulness. The repetition emphasizes the totality of their destruction.
* **[[Ezekiel 21:32]] (MT 21:37):** "You will be **fuel** for the fire; your blood will be in the midst of the land; you will be no more remembered, for I the LORD have spoken."
* This powerful declaration, part of a prophecy against Ammon, explicitly states that the Ammonites will become maʼăkôleth for the fire. It is a direct pronouncement of divine judgment, signifying their complete annihilation and erasure from memory, highlighting the destructive power of God's righteous indignation.
Across these occurrences, H3980 consistently describes that which is consumed by fire, often in contexts of divine judgment, thorough destruction, or radical transformation. The word underscores the completeness of the consuming process.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **H398 (אָכַל, *ʼākal*):** The foundational verbal root from which H3980 is derived. While ʼākal encompasses a wide range of "eating" or "consuming," maʼăkôleth specifically applies this concept to material consumed by fire, highlighting the destructive aspect.
* **Fire (אֵשׁ, H784, *ʼēsh*):** H3980 is intrinsically linked with H784 (fire). Fire in biblical thought is a potent symbol, representing God's presence, purification, testing, and, most relevant here, His wrath and judgment. Maʼăkôleth is the essential element that enables fire to fulfill its consuming purpose.
* **Burning (שָׂרַף, H8313, *śāraph*):** This verb signifies "to burn" or "to consume with fire." Maʼăkôleth is the object of this action. The act of burning is often associated with sacrifice, purification, or complete destruction.
* **Worthlessness/Uselessness:** In passages like Ezekiel 15, the material designated as maʼăkôleth (e.g., vine wood) is explicitly stated to be useless for other purposes. This links maʼăkôleth to concepts of divine rejection and judgment upon that which is unfruitful, corrupt, or has failed to serve its intended purpose.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3980 is primarily centered on divine judgment, the consuming nature of God, and the consequences of unfaithfulness.
* **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** The consistent use of maʼăkôleth in prophetic contexts (Isaiah, Ezekiel) powerfully conveys the severe consequences of sin and rebellion against God. Nations or peoples are depicted as maʼăkôleth, signifying their utter and irreversible destruction by God's fiery wrath. This imagery underscores the totality and irrevocability of divine judgment.
* **The Consuming Nature of God:** The concept of God as a "consuming fire" ([[Deuteronomy 4:24]], [[Hebrews 12:29]]) is a foundational biblical truth. Maʼăkôleth provides the material for this divine fire to act upon. It illustrates that nothing impure, unholy, or rebellious can ultimately stand before God's absolute holiness and justice without being consumed.
* **Worthlessness and Rejection:** Particularly in Ezekiel 15, the image of the vine wood as maʼăkôleth emphasizes the worthlessness of that which does not bear spiritual fruit for God. It signifies divine rejection of those who claim to be God's people but are found to be barren in righteousness. Their ultimate end is to be consumed, having no other redemptive purpose.
* **End of Conflict and New Era:** In [[Isaiah 9:5]], the transformation of the instruments of war into maʼăkôleth foreshadows a future era of profound peace. While still involving consumption by fire, this context carries a redemptive nuance, suggesting that the very tools of human conflict and the systems that perpetuate them will be utterly eradicated, paving the way for the righteous reign of the Messiah. This demonstrates the purifying and transformative power of God's ultimate work.
### Summary
H3980 (מַאֲכֹלֶת, *maʼăkôleth*) is a Hebrew noun derived from the root H398 ("to eat/consume"), specifically denoting "fuel" or "that which is consumed by fire." Its occurrences in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the prophetic books of Isaiah and Ezekiel, consistently depict material destined for complete consumption by fire. The term serves as a potent metaphor for divine judgment and destruction, where the object—whether instruments of war, unfruitful vine wood, or rebellious nations—is utterly consumed by God's righteous wrath. It underscores the severity and totality of God's judgment upon sin and unfaithfulness, highlighting the consuming nature of a holy God and the ultimate worthlessness of that which does not align with His divine purposes. In [[Isaiah 9:5]], it also carries a profound implication of the complete cessation of conflict, as the very implements of war become maʼăkôleth, paving the way for an era of peace. The word stands as a solemn reminder of the consequences of rebellion and the purifying, destructive power of the divine fire.
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