Tacuinum Sanitatis, fol. 55r - Winter (Hyemps)Unknown (Northern Italian) · 14th century

Chimney

/CHIM-nee/

Summary

An opening in the roof or wall through which smoke escaped from ancient houses, which lacked the fireplaces and stoves common in modern dwellings.

☩Ancient House Design

Eastern houses did not have fireplaces and stoves as modern homes do. Fuel was heaped in a pot placed in a hollow in the paved floor, and smoke escaped through windows covered with lattice-work. The Hebrew word 'arubbah' translated as 'chimney' literally means a lattice or window opening.

Key verses:Hosea 13:3

☩Figurative Usage

Hosea uses the image of smoke passing through a chimney to illustrate the swift disappearance of Israel—they will be as the morning cloud, the early dew, the chaff blown from the threshing floor, and smoke from a chimney.

Key verses:Hosea 13:3

Related Verses1 mention

Hosea· 1 verse

13:3

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Chimney," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).