Flue
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The term "flue" does not appear directly in the Bible; however, the concept of a flue can be related to biblical discussions of fire, smoke, and the construction of altars and temples. In ancient times, a flue would have been understood as a passage or duct for smoke in a chimney or a similar structure, which is essential for directing smoke away from living areas and ensuring proper ventilation.

Biblical Context of Fire and Smoke

Fire holds significant symbolic and practical importance in the Bible. It is often associated with the presence of God, purification, judgment, and sacrifice. For instance, in Exodus 3:2, Moses encounters the burning bush, where "the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush." This fire did not consume the bush, symbolizing God's holy presence.

In the context of sacrifices, smoke is a recurring element. Leviticus 1:9 describes burnt offerings: "The priest is to burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD." The smoke from these offerings was seen as a pleasing aroma to God, symbolizing the prayers and devotion of the people ascending to heaven.

Construction of Altars and Temples

The construction of altars and temples in the Bible often involved considerations for handling smoke from sacrifices. While the Bible does not explicitly mention flues, the need for proper ventilation would have been understood. In Solomon's Temple, described in 1 Kings 6, the design and construction were detailed and precise, ensuring that the temple functioned effectively for worship and sacrifices.

Symbolism of Smoke

Smoke in the Bible also carries symbolic meanings. In Revelation 8:4, it is written, "And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel." Here, smoke represents the prayers of the faithful, ascending to God as a fragrant offering.

Practical Implications

In biblical times, the practical implications of managing smoke would have been significant. Without modern technology, ancient peoples relied on architectural design to ensure that smoke from fires, whether for cooking, heating, or sacrifices, was properly vented. This would have included the use of openings or ducts similar to what we might consider a flue today.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not specifically mention flues, the management of fire and smoke is an important aspect of biblical worship and daily life. The symbolic and practical roles of fire and smoke in the Bible underscore the importance of these elements in the spiritual and communal life of God's people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A pipe in a chimney or organ for directing a current of air or gasses; an air passage.

2. (n.) A compartment or division of a chimney for conveying flame and smoke to the outer air.

3. (n.) A passage way for conducting a current of fresh, foul, or heated air from one place to another.

4. (n.) A pipe or passage for conveying flame and hot gases through surrounding water in a boiler; -- distinguished from a tube which holds water and is surrounded by fire. Small flues are called fire tubes or simply tubes.

5. (n.) Light down, such as rises from cotton, fur, etc.; very fine lint or hair.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FLUE; NET

floo(King James Version, margin Habakkuk 1:15).

See FISH; FISHING.

Library

That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
... Which ephod is also rightly ordered to be made of gold, blue, purple, twice dyed
scarlet, and flue twined linen (Exodus 28:8), that it may be shewn by how ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter iii that the ruler.htm

Letter i. To Eusebius.
... however, can hardly be the case; and the meaning probably is that the church was
heated, as the baths were, by means of a hypocaustum, or flue running below ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /letter i to eusebius.htm

The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich
... St. Nicholas of Flue, St. Liduvina of Schiedam, St. Catherine of Sienna,
St. Angela of Foligno, and St. Louise de l'Ascension. All ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/the life of anne catherine.htm

Thesaurus
Flue
... fine lint or hair. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FLUE; NET. floo(King
James Version, margin Habakkuk 1:15). See FISH; FISHING. ...
/f/flue.htm - 7k

Flows (14 Occurrences)

/f/flows.htm - 10k

Net (91 Occurrences)
... the operation. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FLUE; NET. floo(King James
Version, margin Habakkuk 1:15). See FISH; FISHING. NET. ...
/n/net.htm - 36k

Gather (251 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To bring together, or nearer together, in masonry, as where the width of
a fireplace is rapidly diminished to the width of the flue, or the like. ...
/g/gather.htm - 47k

Fluent (1 Occurrence)

/f/fluent.htm - 7k

Throat (13 Occurrences)
... vase. 4. (n.) The part of a chimney between the gathering, or portion of
the funnel which contracts in ascending, and the flue. 5 ...
/t/throat.htm - 11k

Tunnel (2 Occurrences)
... other vessels; a funnel. 2. (n. .) The opening of a chimney for the passage
of smoke; a flue; a funnel. 3. (n. .) An artificial ...
/t/tunnel.htm - 8k

Draw (212 Occurrences)
... 25. (vi) To have draught, as a chimney, flue, or the like; to furnish transmission
to smoke, gases, etc. 26. (vi) To unsheathe a weapon, especially a sword. ...
/d/draw.htm - 41k

Deposit (19 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) That which is deposited, or laid or thrown down; as, a deposit in a flue;
especially, matter precipitated from a solution (as the siliceous deposits of ...
/d/deposit.htm - 15k

Pot (46 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney; a
chimney pot. 5. (n.) A crucible; as, a graphite pot; a melting pot. ...
/p/pot.htm - 25k

Resources
Flue: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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