"a coal, burning coal, Rom. 12:20*"
Definition and meaning
a coal, burning coal, Rom. 12:20*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἄνθραξ
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of anthrax (G440) across the King James Bible.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
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Common questions
Strong's G440 (anthrax) is a Greek word that means: a coal, burning coal, Rom. 12:20* It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word anthrax (G440) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G440 is anthrax, a Greek word defined as: a coal, burning coal, Rom. 12:20*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
anthrax is a Greek word found in the New Testament.