UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: fire, bonfire

Semantic entry: 2.5

Semantic domains: Natural Substances

Subdomains: Fire

Definition: a pile or heap of burning material

Notes: The Greek phrase ἅψαντες … πυράν ‘to kindle a fire’ is best rendered in a number of languages by a single verb meaning ‘to make a fire,’ and in some languages it is strange to speak of a ‘fire’ without indicating the type of material which is being burned. Hence, in RV ACT 28:2 · LV ACT 28:2 · Read together ACT 28:2 the appropriate equivalent would be ‘they caused some sticks to burn.’|In some languages a very important distinction is made between two functionally different kinds of fire, one used for getting rid of refuse and the other used for warming oneself. Fire as a destructive agent, mentioned frequently in the book of Revelation (RV REV 8:5 · LV REV 8:5 · Read together REV 8:5 and RV REV 20:10 · LV REV 20:10 · Read together REV 20:10), may require quite a different term from what is used in speaking of a fire for the purpose of warming a person or heating an object.