πῦρ (pur)
pur
fire
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 72 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word pur simply means fire, appearing 72 times in the New Testament. It describes literal flames in everyday contexts, such as the cooking fires in Luke 22:55 or the torches carried by soldiers. However, it also carries significant symbolic weight across biblical literature.
Translators often use pur to depict divine judgment and purification. In Matthew 13:40, Jesus compares the end of the age to weeds being burned in a fire, illustrating final separation. The book of Revelation uses the term frequently for the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15) and the refining fire that tests believers’ work (1 Corinthians 3:13). It also appears in positive contexts, such as the tongues of fire at Pentecost (Acts 2:3).
The word’s theological depth lies in its dual nature. Fire consumes but also illuminates and purifies. This duality allows Scripture to describe both God’s destructive wrath against evil and His refining presence among His people. Translators must carefully choose whether the context implies judgment, purification, or divine manifestation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pur appears seventy-two times in the New Testament, carrying a weight far beyond simple combustion. It describes the literal flames of a cooking fire or a soldier’s torch, yet it also stands as a powerful symbol of God’s presence and justice. This duality reminds us that fire can both destroy what is harmful and refine what is precious.
In our own lives, we often encounter situations that feel like refining heat. These moments are not always punishments; sometimes they are the means by which impurities are burned away so that something stronger and clearer emerges. The imagery of fire invites us to trust that God is at work even when the process feels intense or consuming.
Scripture uses this word to point toward both judgment and purification. Whether it is the fire that tests our works or the tongues of flame that marked the beginning of the church, pur calls us to consider what we are building with our lives. It is an invitation to seek a faith that endures rather than one that merely burns brightly for a season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 72 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fire32×
- of fire12×
- with fire7×
- fire.4×
- of fire.3×
- fire;3×
- of fire,2×
- [the] fire2×
- with fire;1×
- with fire,1×
- of fire;1×
- in fire1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πῦρ26×
- πυρὸς18×
- πυρὶ12×
- πυρός·3×
- πυρός.¶3×
- πυρός.2×
- πυρός,2×
- πυρί.2×
- πῦρ·1×
- πῦρ,1×
- πυρός1×
- πυρί·1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 13:40
As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.
Jesus uses the image of burning weeds to explain how evil will be permanently separated from the righteous at the end of the age.
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Luke 3:16
John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
John the Baptist contrasts his water baptism with the coming Messiah’s baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, highlighting a shift in spiritual power.
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Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
Jesus warns that uncontrolled anger places a person in danger of Gehenna, linking internal sin to the ultimate consequence of divine judgment.
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Luke 12:49
“I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled.
Jesus declares His desire to kindle fire on the earth, using the metaphor to express the urgent and transformative nature of His mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word pur mean?
Why is fire mentioned in John the Baptist’s message?
Is fire always a sign of punishment in the Bible?
How does pur relate to Gehenna?
Every Occurrence (72 verses across 13 books)
Matthew 12 verses
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and…
Matthew 3:11“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not…
Matthew 3:12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into…
Matthew 5:22But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever…
Matthew 7:19Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 13:40As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.
Matthew 13:42and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:50and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 17:15“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often…
Matthew 18:8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into…
Matthew 18:9If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one…
Matthew 25:41Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared…