πυρά (pura)
pura
fire
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun pura refers to a specific kind of fire: a large pile of burning fuel or a bonfire. Unlike the general word for flame, this term emphasizes the material being consumed, often used in contexts where heat is generated by a substantial heap of wood or brush.
In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in Acts 28. Paul encounters one such fire when he gathers sticks to build up a blaze on Malta, and the heat drives out a viper that clings to him (Acts 28:3). The image is concrete and physical, highlighting the practical use of fire for warmth rather than its symbolic or destructive power.
Its etymology links it directly to the common word for fire, pyr, but adds the nuance of a constructed pile. This distinction helps readers visualize the scene in Acts not as a sudden spark, but as a deliberate, gathered heap that provides significant heat, underscoring the physical reality of Paul’s experience among the islanders.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about Paul gathering sticks for a bonfire in Acts 28, it is easy to miss the quiet humanity of the moment. The Greek word used here describes a large pile of burning fuel—a practical heap built for warmth against the cold rain. This was not a dramatic, supernatural flame, but a simple, necessary fire that brought comfort to travelers stranded by weather.
Yet even in this ordinary scene, God’s presence is evident. The heat from that very bonfire caused a viper to cling to Paul’s hand, turning a moment of potential danger into a clear demonstration of divine protection. We learn that our daily tasks—gathering wood, seeking shelter, building warmth—are not separate from God’s work. He meets us in the practical details of life.
This word reminds us that faith is lived out in tangible ways. Whether we are facing cold nights or unexpected dangers, we can trust that God uses the ordinary means around us to keep us safe and provide for our needs. His care is as real as the warmth of a fire on a stormy evening.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fire1×
- a fire1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πυρὰν2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 28:2
The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
This verse establishes the context of the bonfire as a source of communal warmth and kindness during difficult weather, grounding the scene in physical reality.
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Acts 28:3
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
Here the specific heat from the gathered sticks directly causes the viper to emerge, showing how the physical nature of this fire plays a key role in the narrative event.