Fire-trays, also referred to as censers or firepans, are implements used in the context of ancient Israelite worship, particularly in the tabernacle and later in the temple. These items are mentioned in several passages of the Old Testament and hold significant liturgical and symbolic importance.

Biblical References and Description

Fire-trays are primarily associated with the burning of incense, a practice that was integral to the worship rituals prescribed in the Mosaic Law. In the construction of the tabernacle, specific instructions were given regarding the creation and use of these implements. Exodus 27:3 states, "Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans."

The fire-trays were used by the priests to carry coals from the altar of burnt offering to the altar of incense. This act was part of the daily ritual to ensure that incense was continually burning before the Lord, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. Leviticus 16:12 describes the Day of Atonement ritual: "Then he is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and bring them inside the veil."

Symbolism and Significance

The use of fire-trays in the tabernacle and temple worship underscores the holiness and reverence required in approaching God. The fire itself, often seen as a symbol of God's presence and purity, was to be handled with utmost care. The tragic account of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, illustrates the severe consequences of deviating from God's prescribed methods. Leviticus 10:1-2 recounts, "Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their own censers, put fire in them, and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD."

Historical and Cultural Context

In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, censers and fire-trays were common in religious practices, used to burn incense as offerings to deities. However, in Israelite worship, the use of fire-trays was strictly regulated, emphasizing the distinctiveness of Yahweh worship and the importance of obedience to divine instructions.

The materials used for making fire-trays, such as bronze, highlight the durability and value of these items, reflecting the sacred nature of their use. The detailed instructions for their construction and use, as seen in the Pentateuch, demonstrate the care with which God’s people were to approach Him.

New Testament and Later Christian Tradition

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention fire-trays, the imagery of incense and fire continues to hold spiritual significance. Revelation 8:3-4 draws on this imagery: "Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel."

In Christian liturgical traditions, the use of censers has persisted, symbolizing the prayers of the faithful rising to God and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The continuity of this practice underscores the enduring significance of fire-trays as instruments of worship and devotion.Fire-trays (6 Occurrences)

Exodus 27:3
And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass.
(BBE)

Exodus 38:3
And brass was used for all the vessels of the altar, the baskets and the spades, the basins and the meat-hooks and the fire-trays; all the vessels he made of brass
(BBE)

1 Kings 7:50
And the cups and the scissors and the basins and the spoons and the fire-trays, all of gold; and the pins on which the doors were turned, the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and the doors of the Temple, all of gold.
(BBE)

2 Kings 25:15
And the fire-trays and the basins; the gold of the gold vessels and the silver of the silver vessels, were all taken away by the captain of the armed men.
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 4:22
The scissors and the basins and the spoons and the fire-trays, of the best gold; and the inner doors of the house, opening into the most holy place, and the doors of the Temple, were all of gold.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 52:19
And the cups and the fire-trays and the basins and the pots and the supports for the lights and the spoons and the wide basins; the gold of the gold vessels, and the silver of the silver vessels, the captain of the armed men took away.
(BBE)

Fire-trays (6 Occurrences)
Fire-trays. Fire-spoon, Fire-trays. Firewood . Multi-Version
Concordance Fire-trays (6 Occurrences). Exodus 27:3 And ...
/f/fire-trays.htm - 8k

Meat-hooks (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/m/meat-hooks.htm - 8k

Baskets (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/b/baskets.htm - 12k

Scissors (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 And the cups and the scissors and the basins and the spoons and the
fire-trays, all of gold; and the pins on which the doors were turned, the ...
/s/scissors.htm - 8k

Spades (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/s/spades.htm - 9k

Firewood (4 Occurrences)

/f/firewood.htm - 7k

Fire-spoon (1 Occurrence)
Fire-spoon. Fires, Fire-spoon. Fire-trays . Multi-Version Concordance
Fire-spoon (1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). Fires, Fire-spoon. Fire-trays . Reference
/f/fire-spoon.htm - 6k

Pins (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:50 And the cups and the scissors and the basins and the spoons and the
fire-trays, all of gold; and the pins on which the doors were turned, the ...
/p/pins.htm - 10k

Supports (25 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 52:19 And the cups and the fire-trays and the basins and the pots and the
supports for the lights and the spoons and the wide basins; the gold of the ...
/s/supports.htm - 14k

Dust (182 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust
of the fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. ...
/d/dust.htm - 43k

Why was the fire in the altar to burn continuously (Leviticus 6:13)? | GotQuestions.org

How many times has God sent fire from heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is a consuming fire? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus