Bible Dictionaries
Fuel

Holman Bible Dictionary

Materials used to start and maintain a fire. Numerous types of fuel are mentioned in Scripture: wood (Isaiah 44:14-16 ); charcoal (Jeremiah 36:22; John 18:18 ); shrubs (Psalm 120:4 ); thorn bushes (Ecclesiastes 7:6; Nahum 1:10 ); grass (Matthew 6:30 ); weeds (Matthew 13:40 ); vines (Ezekiel 15:4 ,Ezekiel 15:4,15:6 ); branch trimmings (John 15:6 ); animal or even human dung (Ezekiel 4:12 ); and the blood-stained clothing of fallen warriors (Isaiah 9:5 ). Oil was used as a fuel for lamps (Matthew 25:3 ). Coal was not known to the Hebrews.

Fuel is frequently used figuratively as a symbol of total destruction. Disobedient Israel is portrayed as “fuel for the fire” (Isaiah 9:19; Ezekiel 15:6; Ezekiel 21:32 ). For Jesus, God's extravagant love evidenced in clothing grass destined to be burned as fuel with beautiful flowers illustrated even greater care for human beings (Matthew 6:30 ).