### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H4168 (מוֹקֵד, *môwqêd*) is derived from the verbal root `{{H3344}}` (יָקַד, *yaqad*), meaning "to burn," "to kindle," or "to set on fire." This etymological connection immediately situates מוֹקֵד within the semantic field of combustion and heat. Its core meaning encompasses "a fire" or "fuel," referring to the material that burns or the active process of burning itself. Abstractly, it can denote "a conflagration," an extensive and destructive fire. More specifically, it is used to describe "burning" as an act or state, and most notably, "a hearth" – the designated place where a fire is maintained, particularly for cooking or religious purposes. Thus, the semantic range moves from the active state of burning, to the material consumed by fire, to the destructive event of a large fire, and finally, to the specific locus where fire is contained and sustained.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4168 appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its limited occurrences are highly significant, revealing distinct contextual applications:
1. **Leviticus 6:9 (MT 6:2):** "The burnt offering itself shall remain on the hearth (מוֹקֵד) upon the altar all night until the morning, and the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it." Here, מוֹקֵד clearly refers to the "hearth" of the altar, the specific surface or area where the sacrificial fire was to be maintained continuously. The context emphasizes the perpetual nature of the fire for the burnt offering, underscoring the ongoing requirement for atonement and the constant presence of the divine. The command for the fire never to go out highlights the unbroken covenant relationship and the enduring nature of Yahweh's presence and demands.
2. **Isaiah 33:14:** "The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: 'Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire (אֵשׁ אוֹכֶלֶת)? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings (מוֹקְדֵי עוֹלָם)?'" In this prophetic context, מוֹקְדֵי (the plural form of מוֹקֵד) is used metaphorically to describe "everlasting burnings." It is paired with "consuming fire" (`{{H784}}` אֵשׁ אוֹכֶלֶת), a common descriptor for God's holy and terrifying presence, especially in judgment. Here, מוֹקֵד signifies the unquenchable, enduring nature of divine judgment or the overwhelming holiness of God that is unbearable for the unrighteous. This shifts from a physical, ritualistic hearth to an abstract, eschatological imagery of divine wrath.
These two primary contexts reveal a dual nature of מוֹקֵד: a sacred place for the maintenance of sacrificial fire, and a terrifying metaphor for divine, unquenchable judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to H4168 is its root verb, `{{H3344}}` (יָקַד, *yaqad*), "to burn" or "to kindle." This root emphasizes the active process of combustion that מוֹקֵד describes, whether as a fire itself or the place where it burns.
Other related concepts include:
* **`{{H784}}` (אֵשׁ, *'esh*):** The general and most common Hebrew word for "fire." While אֵשׁ is broad, מוֹקֵד often specifies a particular aspect or location of fire, such as a hearth or a specific burning.
* **Sacrifice and Altar:** In the Levitical context, מוֹקֵד is intimately linked with the עֹלָה (burnt offering) and the מִזְבֵּחַ (altar). The continuity of the fire on the מוֹקֵד was essential for the sacrificial system.
* **Divine Holiness and Purity:** Fire in the Old Testament frequently symbolizes God's holiness, which both purifies and consumes. The מוֹקֵד of the altar is a place where impurity is consumed, enabling communion.
* **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** In prophetic literature, particularly Isaiah, fire is a potent metaphor for God's righteous judgment against sin. מוֹקֵד in this context aligns with concepts of unquenchable fire, divine fury, and the consequences of rebellion.
* **Eternal Punishment:** The phrase "everlasting burnings" in Isaiah 33:14 carries strong eschatological implications, foreshadowing later biblical concepts of enduring judgment for the wicked.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H4168 (מוֹקֵד) is profound, reflecting key aspects of God's character and His interaction with humanity.
Firstly, in the context of the tabernacle/temple, מוֹקֵד as the "hearth" of the altar speaks to the **perpetuity of worship and God's enduring presence**. The command for the fire on the altar's מוֹקֵד never to go out ([[Leviticus 6:9]]) symbolized an unbroken covenant relationship. It underscored the constant need for atonement and the accessibility of God through the prescribed sacrificial system. This perpetual fire also represented God's own holiness dwelling among His people, a holiness that required continuous purification and adherence to His commands.
Secondly, in the prophetic context of Isaiah, מוֹקֵד takes on a starkly different, yet complementary, meaning. "Everlasting burnings" ([[Isaiah 33:14]]) serve as a terrifying metaphor for **divine judgment and consuming holiness**. For the unrighteous, God's holiness is not a source of comfort but an unquenchable fire that consumes and purifies. This usage highlights the severity of God's wrath against sin and the utter impossibility of the ungodly enduring His righteous presence without being consumed. It points to the dual nature of God's holiness: a purifying presence for the righteous, but a destructive fire for the rebellious.
Together, these two uses of מוֹקֵד encapsulate a central biblical tension: God's holiness is both the foundation of His covenant (requiring continuous, pure worship) and the source of His righteous judgment (consuming all that opposes Him).
### Summary
The Hebrew word H4168 (מוֹקֵד, *môwqêd*), derived from `{{H3344}}` ("to burn"), encompasses a semantic range including "fire," "fuel," "conflagration," "burning," and most significantly, "hearth." Its two primary biblical occurrences reveal a rich theological significance. In Leviticus, מוֹקֵד designates the perpetual "hearth" of the altar, symbolizing the unbroken nature of the covenant, the enduring requirement for worship, and God's constant presence among His people. Conversely, in Isaiah, מוֹקֵד appears as "everlasting burnings," a powerful metaphor for the unquenchable, terrifying nature of divine judgment against the wicked. Thus, מוֹKêd profoundly illustrates God's consuming holiness, which is both the foundation for continuous, gracious communion with His people and the ultimate, inescapable reality of His righteous wrath against sin.
TRV