Original Word: גֶּחֶלּ
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: gechel
Pronunciation: geh'-khel or gah-kheh'-leth
Phonetic Spelling: (geh'-khel)
KJV: (burning) coal
NASB: coals, coal, hot embers
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle]

1. an ember

burning coal

Or (feminine) gacheleth {gah-kheh'-leth}; from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle; an ember -- (burning) coal.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
coal
NASB Translation
coal (2), coals (15), hot embers (1).

גַּחֶ֫לֶת noun feminine^{Exodus 1:13} coal (compare Assyrian gu—lu, a shining precious stone? COT^Gloss Zim^{BP 45}) — absolute גַּחֶלֶת Isaiah 47:14; suffix גַּחַלְתִּי 2 Samuel 14:7; plural גֶּחָלִים Psalm 18:9 6t.; construct גַּחֲלֵי Leviticus 16:12 5t. + Psalm 18:14 (strike out ᵐ5 De Che); suffix גֶּחָלָיו Isaiah 44:19, גֶּחָלֶיהָ Ezekiel 24:11; — coal, plural אֵשׁ ׳ג coals of fire Leviticus 16:12 (P), 2 Samuel 22:13 = Psalm 18:13 [also Psalm 18:14 compare above] Ezekiel 10:2 (in vision); compare 2 Samuel 22:9 = Psalm 18:9; Job 41:13, also Proverbs 6:28; Isaiah 44:19; in simile (of strife) Proverbs 26:21 (opposed to מֶּחָם black coal); Ezekiel 1:13 גַּחֲלֵי אֵשׁ (of the living creatures); figurative of hope in posterity 2 Samuel 14:7, of divine judgement, רתם ׳ג coals of broom-plant Psalm 120:4, compare Psalm 140:11, also (negative) Isaiah 47:14; Ezekiel 24:11; of kindness to enemy Proverbs 25:22.

גחם (? compare Arabic kindle, , burn).

Meaning and Imagery

The term denotes a live, glowing coal or ember. Throughout Scripture it evokes heat, light, purification, danger, and the active presence of God. Whether carried in a priest’s censer, blazing from the divine throne, or smoldering beneath a cooking pot, the coal is never static; it burns, consumes, refines, and reveals.

Occurrences and Thematic Groupings

1. Worship and Atonement – Leviticus 16:12
2. Theophany and Divine Majesty – 2 Samuel 22:9, 13; Psalm 18:8, 12–13; Ezekiel 1:13
3. Judgment and Purification – Ezekiel 10:2; 24:11; Psalm 140:10; Isaiah 47:14
4. Wisdom and Moral Warning – Proverbs 6:28; 26:21; 25:22; Psalm 120:4
5. Personal Lineage and Hope – 2 Samuel 14:7
6. Daily Labor and Idolatry – Isaiah 44:19
7. Mythic Imagery – Job 41:21

Cultic Use and Atonement

On the Day of Atonement the high priest “is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD” (Leviticus 16:12). These coals ignite the incense that fills the Most Holy Place, visually portraying intercession and atonement. Because the coals originate from the altar of sacrifice, they carry the blood–bought efficacy of substitution into the divine presence, prefiguring the final, once-for-all atonement accomplished by Christ.

Manifestations of Divine Majesty

When the LORD intervenes in history, glowing coals often accompany His appearance. “Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth” (2 Samuel 22:9; cf. Psalm 18:8). Theophanic fire communicates holiness and irresistible power, reminding the faithful that God is both warrior and refuge.

Instrument of Judgment and Purification

Ezekiel sees a man in linen commanded to “fill your hands with coals of fire from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city” (Ezekiel 10:2). The scattering announces Jerusalem’s impending judgment, yet the same fire will purge and ultimately restore. Likewise, the empty pot of Ezekiel 24:11 must sit “on its coals” until its corruption melts away. Judgment burns hot, but its end is purification, a pattern repeated in prophetic and eschatological visions.

Metaphor for Life, Preservation, and Lineage

The wise woman of Tekoa pleads that the avenger of blood will not “quench my one remaining coal” (2 Samuel 14:7)--her last surviving son. The glowing coal stands for the continuation of family, name, and inheritance. Snuffing it out would extinguish hope.

Warnings against Presumptuous Wickedness

“Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?” (Proverbs 6:28). Moral compromise is never harmless; sin sears. Similarly, Psalm 140:10 calls for “burning coals” to fall upon the violent, revealing that unchecked evil invites divine recompense.

Wisdom for Daily Conduct

Proverbs 26:21 compares a quarrelsome man to fuel that keeps embers alive, cautioning believers against words that intensify conflict. In contrast, Proverbs 25:22 enjoins unexpected kindness toward an enemy: “for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” The image is not vindictive but restorative—shame that melts hostility. The apostle Paul cites the verse in Romans 12:20, urging Christians to overcome evil with good.

Idolatry and Futility

Isaiah mocks the idol-maker who uses part of a tree to “warm himself” and to roast meat over hot coals, then bows to the remaining wood (Isaiah 44:19). Later, Babylon’s sorcerers prove useless: “They cannot even warm themselves by its glow” (Isaiah 47:14). Earthly fires lack power to save.

Cosmic and Mythic Overtones

Job depicts Leviathan: “His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from his mouth” (Job 41:21). The untamable creature reflects the elemental forces God governs, amplifying the Creator’s sovereignty.

Pastoral and Devotional Implications

• Approach worship with reverence; the coals of the altar still speak of sacrifice and holiness.
• Recognize that trials, like coals, can refine character when embraced with faith.
• Extend grace to adversaries, trusting God to use your kindness as burning coals that convict and transform.
• Await the final day when divine fire will eradicate evil and illuminate the new creation.

Key References for Further Study

Leviticus 16:12; 2 Samuel 14:7; 2 Samuel 22:9, 13; Job 41:21; Psalm 18:8, 12–13; Psalm 120:4; Psalm 140:10; Proverbs 6:28; Proverbs 25:22; Proverbs 26:21; Isaiah 44:19; Isaiah 47:14; Ezekiel 1:13; Ezekiel 10:2; Ezekiel 24:11

גֶּ֝חָלִ֗ים גֶּֽחָ֫לִ֥ים גֶּחָלִ֖ים גֶּחָלִ֣ים גֶּחָלֶ֖יהָ גֶּחָלָיו֙ גֶֽחָלִ֗ים גַּֽחֲלֵי־ גַּֽחַלְתִּי֙ גַּחֲלֵ֥י גַּחֲלֵי־ גַּחֶ֣לֶת גַֽחֲלֵי־ גחלי גחלי־ גחליה גחליו גחלים גחלת גחלתי הַגֶּחָלִ֑ים הגחלים וְגַֽחֲלֵי־ וגחלי־ כְּגַחֲלֵי־ כגחלי־ לְ֭גֶחָלִים לגחלים ga·ḥă·lê ga·ḥă·lê- ḡa·ḥă·lê- ga·ḥal·tî ga·ḥe·leṯ gachalei gachalTi gaChelet gaḥălê gaḥălê- ḡaḥălê- gaḥaltî gaḥeleṯ ge·ḥā·lāw ge·ḥā·le·hā ge·ḥā·lîm ḡe·ḥā·lîm gechaLav gechaLeiha gechaLim geḥālāw geḥālehā geḥālîm ḡeḥālîm hag·ge·ḥā·lîm haggechaLim haggeḥālîm kə·ḡa·ḥă·lê- kegachalei kəḡaḥălê- lə·ḡe·ḥā·lîm Legechalim ləḡeḥālîm vegachalei wə·ḡa·ḥă·lê- wəḡaḥălê-Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts