Meaning of Coals of the Broom Tree in Scripture

The Hebrew phrase "coals of the broom tree" (gaḥalei retamim) appears in Psalm 120:4, where it is written, "Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree!" ^[2]. The broom tree, or Retama raetam , is a desert shrub native to the Middle East, known for its hard wood that produces long-lasting hot coals when burned ^[1].

The phrase "coals of the broom tree" is often interpreted metaphorically. In Psalm 120:4, it is used to describe the severity of God's judgment on the wicked. The coals symbolize intense heat and suffering, much like the "coals of fire" mentioned in other biblical passages, such as Psalm 18:8, 12, 13 and 140:10 ^[3].

The Babylonian Talmud interprets "coals of the broom tree" as an allusion to Gehenna, or hell, where the wicked are punished with intense suffering. Rabbi Levi is quoted as saying that those who pause from studying Torah to engage in mundane conversation will be fed with the coals of the broom tree ^{[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]}. This interpretation is based on Job 30:4, which mentions "the roots of the broom tree" as a food source for the destitute.

The long-lasting nature of the coals from the broom tree is also noted in the Talmud. In Pesachim 75b, the rabbis discuss the meaning of "coals" in the context of a biblical passage, concluding that coals, even if flickering, are considered fire ^{[11, 13]}.

In the biblical context, the coals of the broom tree are associated with divine judgment and punishment. In Psalm 140:10, the psalmist prays that "burning coals" will fall upon the wicked, symbolizing God's wrath ^[14]. Similarly, in Ezekiel 1:13, the "coals of fire" are seen as a manifestation of God's burning justice ^[12].

The use of coals as a metaphor for divine judgment is not unique to the Hebrew Bible. In Isaiah 6:6, a seraphim uses a "live coal" (or "glowing stone") to purify the prophet's lips ^[4]. The imagery of coals and fire is also used in other biblical contexts to convey the intensity of God's presence and judgment.

The broom tree's hard wood and the long-lasting coals it produces make it a potent symbol in biblical and rabbinic literature. The "coals of the broom tree" serve as a vivid metaphor for the consequences of sin and the severity of divine judgment.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Coal — It is by no means certain that the Hebrews were acquainted with mineral coal, although it is found in Syria. Their common fuel was dried dung of animals and wood charcoal. Two different words are found in Hebrew to denote coal, both occurring in Prov. 26:21, "As coal [Heb. peham; i.e., "black coal"] is to burning coal [Heb. gehalim]." The latter of these words is used in Job 41:21; Prov. 6:28; Isa. 44:19. The words "live coal" in Isa. 6:6 are more correctly "glowing stone." In Lam. 4:8 the expression "blacker than a coal" is literally rendered in the margin of”
Psalms “Psalms 120:4 (BSB) — Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Coal — The first and most frequent use of the word rendered coal is a live ember, burning fuel. (Proverbs 26:21) In (2 Samuel 22:9,13) "coals of fire" are put metaphorically for the lightnings proceeding from God. (Psalms 18:8,12,13; 140:10) In (Proverbs 26:21) fuel not yet lighted is clearly signified. The fuel meant in the above passage is probably charcoal, and not coal in our sense of the word.”
Isaiah “No one thinks, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have burned part of it in the fire. Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals. I have roasted meat and eaten it. Shall I make the rest of it into an abomination? Shall I bow down to a tree trunk?” -- Isaiah 44:19”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68b.30:15: Mar Ukva continued: And the word “mighty” in Psalms 120:4 means nothing other than the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord will go forth as a mighty man, He will stir up jealousy like a man of war; He will cry; He will shout aloud, He will prove Himself mighty against His enemies” (Isaiah 42:13). And as for the coals of the broom tree [ gaḥalei retamim ] that burn for a long time, this is an allusion to Gehenna.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 15b.15: Mar Ukva continued: And the word “mighty” in Psalms 120:4 means nothing other than the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord will go forth as a mighty man, He will stir up jealousy like a man of war; He will cry; He will shout aloud, He will prove Himself mighty against His enemies” (Isaiah 42:13). And as for the coals of the broom tree [ gaḥalei retamim ] that burn for a long time, this is an allusion to Gehenna.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68a.30:15: Mar Ukva continued: And the word “mighty” in Psalms 120:4 means nothing other than the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord will go forth as a mighty man, He will stir up jealousy like a man of war; He will cry; He will shout aloud, He will prove Himself mighty against His enemies” (Isaiah 42:13). And as for the coals of the broom tree [ gaḥalei retamim ] that burn for a long time, this is an allusion to Gehenna.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Chagigah 12b.9: With regard to the same matter, Rabbi Levi said: Anyone who pauses from words of Torah to occupy himself with mundane conversation will be fed with the coals of the broom tree, as it is stated: “They pluck saltwort [ maluaḥ ] with wormwood [ alei siaḥ ], and the roots of the broom tree [ retamim ] are their food” (Job 30:4). The exposition is as follows: Those who pluck, i.e., pause, from learning Torah, which was given upon two tablets, luḥot , which sounds similar to maluaḥ , for the purpose of siaḥ , idle chatter, are punished by having to eat coals made f”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Chagigah 54a.24:9: With regard to the same matter, Rabbi Levi said: Anyone who pauses from words of Torah to occupy himself with mundane conversation will be fed with the coals of the broom tree, as it is stated: “They pluck saltwort [ maluaḥ ] with wormwood [ alei siaḥ ], and the roots of the broom tree [ retamim ] are their food” (Job 30:4). The exposition is as follows: Those who pluck, i.e., pause, from learning Torah, which was given upon two tablets, luḥot , which sounds similar to maluaḥ , for the purpose of siaḥ , idle chatter, are punished by having to eat coals mad”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Chagigah 54b.24:9: With regard to the same matter, Rabbi Levi said: Anyone who pauses from words of Torah to occupy himself with mundane conversation will be fed with the coals of the broom tree, as it is stated: “They pluck saltwort [ maluaḥ ] with wormwood [ alei siaḥ ], and the roots of the broom tree [ retamim ] are their food” (Job 30:4). The exposition is as follows: Those who pluck, i.e., pause, from learning Torah, which was given upon two tablets, luḥot , which sounds similar to maluaḥ , for the purpose of siaḥ , idle chatter, are punished by having to eat coals mad”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Pesachim 75b.5: And Rav Sheshet said, in order to resolve this contradiction: This is what the baraita is teaching: From the verse’s use of the word coals, I might have thought he can take whatever he wants, whether smoldering or flickering. Therefore, the Torah states: Fire. If it had stated only fire, I might have thought it was referring to a flame. Therefore, the verse states: Coals. How is this to be understood? He brings from the flickering coals. In any event, it is derived from here that coals, even if they are flickering, are not called fire. This poses a difficulty”
Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 1:13: likeness . . . appearance--not tautology. "Likeness" expresses the general form; "appearance," the particular aspect. coals of fire--denoting the intensely pure and burning justice wherewith God punishes by His angels those who, like Israel, have hardened themselves against His long-suffering. So in Isa 6:2, Isa 6:6, instead of cherubim, the name "seraphim," the burning ones, is applied, indicating God's consuming righteousness; whence their cry to Him is, "Holy! holy! holy!" and the burning coal is applied to his lips, for the message through his m”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Pesachim 75b.6: Abaye said that the answer is as follows: Based on the word coals, I might have thought they must be smoldering and not flickering. Therefore, the verse states: Fire. If it had stated only fire, I might have thought that if one wanted a flame he may bring it, and if he wanted a coal he may bring it. Therefore, the Torah states: Coals. How is this to be understood? He brings from the flickering coals. According to this, it is clear that coals are considered fire, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 140:10: Let burning coals fall upon them,.... From heaven, as the Targum, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi, by way of explanation; alluding to the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire from thence: and may design both the terrible judgments of God in this life, and everlasting burnings in hell; so Jarchi interprets it of the coals of hell; see Psa 11:6; let them be cast into the fire; into the fire of divine wrath, and have severe punishment inflicted on them in this world; and into the fire of hell hereafter, as the Targum, which is unquenchable and everlasting; and into which al”

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