firebrands

Usually pieces of wood set on fire. They were used by Samson in his revenge against the Philistines (Judg 15:4; NRSV: “torches”); they were tossed over the city wall in time of military siege, as were the olive boughs during the attack of Lachish; or they were hurled as missiles by madmen (Prov 26:18). “Snatched from the fire” by God, they symbolized individuals rescued by the Lord (Amos 4:11).