(Mark 11:13) he had a right to expect fruit. The usual summer crop of fruits is not gathered till May
or June; but in the sunny ravines of Olivet fig trees could have ripe fruit some weeks earlier (Dr.
Thomson), and it was not strange so early as Easter Christ might find the young eatable figs, although
it was not the usual season for gathering the fruit.
Fir
(Isaiah 14:8; Ezekiel 27:5) etc. As the term “cedar” is in all probability applicable to more than
one tree, so also “fir” in the Authorized Version represents probably one or other of the following
trees:
•Pinus sylvestris, or Scotch fir;
•Larch;
•Cupressus sempervirens, or cypress, all which are at this day found in the Lebanon. The wood of
the fir was used for ship-building, (Ezekiel 27:5) for musical instruments, (2 Samuel 6:5) for beams
and rafters of houses, (1 Kings 5:8,10; 2 Chronicles 2:8) It was a tall evergreen tree of vigorous
growth.
Fire
is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way
either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol
for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering,
comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its
symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to
it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity,
and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship.
(Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called “strange
fire,” and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished with death by fire from God. (Leviticus
10:1,2; Numbers 3:4; 26:61)
Firepan
one of the vessels of the temple service. (Exodus 27:3; 38:3; 2 Kings 25:15; Jeremiah 52:19)
The same word is elsewhere rendered “snuff-dish,” (Exodus 25:38; 37:23; Numbers 4:9) and
“censer.” (Leviticus 10:1; 16:12; Numbers 16:6) ff. There appear, therefore, to have been two
articles so called: one, like a chafing-dish, to carry live coals for the purpose of burning incense;
another, like a snuffer-dish, to be used in trimming the lamps, in order to carry the snuffers and
convey away the snuff.
Firkin
[Weights And Measures AND Measures]
Firmament
In Scripture the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; for such is the signification of the
Hebrew word. The original, therefore, does not convey the sense of solidity, but of stretching,
extension; the great arch of expanse over our heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the
clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen.—Webster.
Firstborn
Under the law, in memory of the exodus (when the first-born of the Egyptians were slain), the
eldest son was regarded as devoted to God, and was in very case to be redeemed by an offering not
exceeding five shekels, within one month from birth. If he died before the expiration of thirty days,
the Jewish doctors held the father excused, but liable to the payment if he outlived that time. (Exodus
frankie
(Frankie)
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