### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H7529}}` (רֶצֶף, *retseph*) denotes a "red-hot stone" or "coal." Its base definition indicates a close relationship with `{{H7565}}` (רֶשֶׁף, *resheph*), which carries a broader semantic range including "flame," "lightning," "burning coal," or even "pestilence" (often associated with burning fever). While `{{H7565}}` can refer to the abstract concept of fire or its destructive force, `{{H7529}}` specifically points to a tangible, physical object that is intensely hot. This nuance suggests a concrete application of heat, particularly in contexts like baking or, as seen in its sole biblical occurrence, as a source of purifying fire. The word implies a sustained, glowing heat, not merely a transient spark or flame.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H7529}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in a profoundly significant passage: [[Isaiah 6:6]]. In this pivotal vision of Isaiah's call, the prophet is overwhelmed by his own uncleanness in the presence of the holy God. To enable his ministry, a seraph takes a "live coal" (רֶצֶף) with tongs from the altar and touches Isaiah's lips.
The context is crucial:
1. **Source:** The retseph is taken "from the altar." This is not just any fire, but the sacred fire of the Lord's presence, associated with sacrifice, atonement, and divine judgment.
2. **Agent:** A seraph, a celestial being whose very name (related to `{{H8314}}`, *seraphim*) suggests "burning ones," acts as the divine messenger and instrument of purification.
3. **Action:** The coal touches Isaiah's "lips," the very instrument through which he would speak for God, but also the source of his "unclean lips" and the "unclean people" he lives among.
4. **Effect:** The touch of the retseph purges Isaiah's iniquity and atones for his sin, transforming him from one unfit to stand before God into a consecrated prophet ready to declare God's word. The intense heat of the coal, which humanly would destroy, here purifies and empowers.
This single occurrence powerfully illustrates the retseph as an instrument of divine, purifying fire, not for destruction, but for sanctification and enablement for sacred service.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is `{{H7565}}` (רֶשֶׁף, *resheph*), which shares the root concept of burning. While `{{H7565}}` can denote a broader range of fiery phenomena, including destructive plague or lightning, `{{H7529}}` focuses on a specific, solid object of intense heat.
Other related concepts include:
* **Fire (`{{H784}}`, *esh*):** A pervasive biblical motif representing God's presence (e.g., the burning bush, the pillar of fire), His holiness, His judgment, and His purifying power. The retseph is a concentrated manifestation of this divine fire.
* **Altar (`{{H4196}}`, *mizbeach*):** The retseph originates from the altar, a central place of sacrifice, atonement, and communion with God in Israelite worship. Its source underscores its sacred, atoning nature.
* **Purification (`{{H2891}}`, *taher*):** The action performed by the retseph is one of cleansing and making holy. This concept is central to priestly rituals and prophetic commissioning, emphasizing the necessity of purity to stand before God.
* **Atonement (`{{H3722}}`, *kaphar*):** The seraph explicitly states, "Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for" [[Isaiah 6:7]]. The retseph serves as the physical means of this divine act of expiation.
### Theological Significance
The retseph in [[Isaiah 6:6]] carries profound theological weight. It is not merely a common coal but a sacred instrument of divine purification, drawn from the very heart of God's dwelling place. Its significance lies in several key areas:
1. **God's Holiness and Purifying Power:** The retseph vividly portrays the intense, consuming holiness of God, which cannot tolerate sin. Yet, it also demonstrates that this holiness is not solely destructive; it is redemptive and purifying. The fire that could consume instead cleanses.
2. **Atonement and Forgiveness:** The act of touching Isaiah's lips with the retseph symbolizes the divine initiative in atoning for sin. It is a tangible representation of God's grace, making a sinful human fit for His service. This prefigures the ultimate atonement provided through Christ's sacrifice.
3. **Empowerment for Service:** Cleansing from sin is not an end in itself but a means to an end: enabling Isaiah to respond to God's call ("Whom shall I send?"). The retseph thus represents the necessary divine preparation for prophetic ministry and, by extension, for all who are called to serve God. It underscores that effective service flows from a place of divine cleansing and commissioning.
4. **Paradox of Divine Interaction:** The retseph embodies a paradox: a burning object, typically associated with pain or destruction, becomes the instrument of healing and restoration. This reflects the multifaceted nature of God's character – His consuming fire is also His refining fire, His judgment is mingled with mercy.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H7529}}` (רֶצֶף, *retseph*) refers to a "red-hot stone" or "coal," a tangible object of intense heat. Its sole, yet highly significant, biblical appearance is in [[Isaiah 6:6]], where a seraph uses a retseph from the altar to purify Isaiah's lips, enabling him for prophetic ministry. This act powerfully symbolizes the consuming yet cleansing holiness of God, His gracious provision for atonement, and the divine preparation necessary for sacred service. The retseph represents God's purifying fire, transforming unworthiness into readiness through divine intervention and grace.
TRV