What does burning coal symbolize in the Bible?

One of the most powerful images involving burning coal in the Bible is found in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 6:1-7, the prophet has a vision of the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne. As Isaiah realizes his own sinfulness, a seraph (an angelic being) takes a live coal from the altar and touches it to Isaiah’s lips, declaring, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for” (Isaiah 6:7, NIV).

Here, the burning coal is a clear symbol of purification and cleansing from sin. The fire of the altar, representing God’s holiness, does not destroy Isaiah but purifies him, making him fit for divine service. This moment becomes a foundational biblical image for spiritual cleansing and readiness to serve.

Coals and the Presence of God

Burning coals are also associated with the very presence of God. In visions such as Ezekiel’s (Ezekiel 1:13) and Daniel’s (Daniel 10:6), glowing coals and fiery imagery accompany the glory and power of God. In the tabernacle and temple rituals, burning coals were used to ignite incense, symbolizing prayers rising to heaven (Leviticus 16:12-13; Revelation 8:3-5).

These coals, taken from the altar, were considered holy and set apart, emphasizing their connection to God’s presence. The use of coals in worship rituals underlines the idea that approaching God requires reverence, and that purity and holiness are necessary to stand in His presence.

Burning Coal as a Symbol of Judgment

While burning coals can purify, they also represent judgment. In the Psalms and the Prophets, burning coals and fire often describe God’s righteous anger against sin and injustice. For example, in Psalm 18:12-13, burning coals and lightning are unleashed from God’s presence as a display of His power and judgment. Similarly, Ezekiel 10 describes coals scattered over Jerusalem as a sign of impending judgment and destruction. In these contexts, burning coal serves as a reminder that God’s holiness cannot tolerate evil, and that judgment is both real and consequential.

Coals as a Call to Repentance

The dual symbolism of burning coal—purifying but also dangerous—serves as a call to repentance. The vision of Isaiah, for example, links the recognition of personal sin with the opportunity for cleansing. The warning of judgment in the prophets is intended not just to condemn, but to invite people to turn from wrongdoing and seek mercy. The image of burning coal, then, challenges readers to confront their own failings and seek reconciliation with God.

Burning Coals and Kindness: A New Testament Twist

Interestingly, the New Testament gives burning coals a surprising symbolic turn. In Romans 12:20, Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21-22: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” This phrase has puzzled many readers, but most scholars agree that it points to the transformative power of kindness.

Rather than seeking revenge, believers are called to respond to hostility with generosity. The “burning coals” symbolize the potential for one’s acts of kindness to awaken an enemy’s conscience, stirring remorse and potentially leading to repentance and reconciliation.

A Multifaceted Biblical Symbol

As these examples show, burning coal in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol. It represents purity and judgment, but also the presence of God and the call to moral transformation. Whether used in the context of worship, vision, or ethical teaching, burning coal is never static—it always points to change, whether cleansing from sin or the consequences of rejecting God’s ways.