did not refer to the literal wearing of Scripture texts. (Deut. 6:6-8; 11:18) True, they were instructed to wear a literal fringe upon their garments as a reminder of God’s commandments. (Num. 15:38-40) However, the evidence that the “sign” and “frontlet band” were to be figurative can be seen from God’s instructions to the Israelites concerning their commemoration of his deliverance of them. This commemoration was also to serve “as a sign upon your hand and as a memorial between your eyes” and “as a frontlet band between your eyes.” (Ex. 13:9, 14-16) So, it appears that Jehovah meant that the law should be kept as distinctly in view and should be as carefully attended to as if written on a tablet between their eyes, and as if a sign upon their hands, so that, wherever they looked and whatever they did, they could not fail to have the law before them.

However, the Jews, sometime after their return from Babylon, developed a formalistic religion based on traditions of men (Matt. 15:3, 9), in which they gave this law a literal application. Strips of parchment were used, on which four passages of Scripture were written, namely, Exodus 13:1-10, 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21. At least in later times, the parchment was rolled up in small cases of calfskin and fastened to the forehead and the left arm. Male Jews wore these during morning prayer, except on festivals and the sabbath.

Jesus Christ condemned the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, who, in order to impress others with their righteousness, broadened the scripture-containing cases that they wore as safeguards. (Matt. 23:2, 5) The Greek word phy·la·kteʹri·on, “phylactery,” which applies to such a scripture-containing case, means primarily an outpost, fortification or safeguard. These were worn, therefore, as a safeguard, amulet or charm.

However, the Bible counsels that, not beautiful or pious outward appearance, but the heart, is the thing to guard. (Matt. 23:27, 28; Prov. 4:23) It stresses that, not the wearing of written Scripture texts on the body, but the safeguarding of practical wisdom and thinking ability and the acquiring of understanding, will greatly benefit a person.—Prov. 3:21, 22; 4:7-9.

FUEL

Charcoal (Isa. 47:14; John 18:18), sticks (Jer. 7:18), rushes (Job 41:20), thorns (Eccl. 7:6), wood (Josh. 9:27; Isa. 44:14-16), as well as the bramble (Ps. 58:9) and the broom tree and the vine tree (Ps. 120:4; Ezek. 15:6), are among the fuels specifically mentioned in the Bible. Additionally, olive oil was a fuel commonly used in lamps. (Ex. 27:20; Matt. 25:3, 4) In Scripture, fuel is also referred to as “food for fire.” (Isa. 9:5, 19) Wood, in its natural state or in the form of charcoal, was likely the main fuel of the Israelites. For heating purposes charcoal was commonly burned in a brazier. (Jer. 36:22) At other times it was burned without a container, as was undoubtedly the case when Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, prepared breakfast over a charcoal fire.—John 21:9, 10; see CHARCOAL.

To depict the severity of Jerusalem’s siege, Ezekiel was instructed to use human excrement for fuel, but, when he objected, Jehovah permitted him to use cakes of cattle dung instead. (Ezek. 4:8, 12-15) Although dried cattle dung is today used in the Middle East by Syrian peasants and others because of the scarcity of wood, this does not necessarily mean that the Israelites ordinarily used it, especially since ancient Palestine was more heavily wooded than now.

FUGITIVENESS, LAND OF

A land “east of Eden,” in which the condemned murderer Cain took up residence. (Gen. 4:16) The Hebrew word nohdh is derived from the same root word (nudh) as is the word “fugitive” used in verses 12 and 14. The location of the land is unknown.

FUNERAL

See BURIAL, BURIAL PLACES.

FURLONG

The Greek word (staʹdi·on) thus translated denotes a linear measure equal to about 607 feet (185 meters) or one-eighth of a Roman mile (4,860 feet; 1,481 meters). (Rev. 14:20; 21:16) This is the approximate length of both the Attic and the Roman stadium. At 1 Corinthians 9:24 the term staʹdi·on (stadium) is rendered “race,” the length of the Greek race course being one stadium. The stadium of the Olympic course, however, was actually about 631 feet (192 meters).

FURNACE

A structure designed principally for (1) smelting ores, (2) melting previously smelted metals for casting, or heating them for forging, and (3) firing pottery and other ceramic items. Furnaces in Bible times were constructed of brick or stone. Circular copper furnaces believed to date from the period of the judges were found at Tell Qasile on the northern outskirts of Tel Aviv and at Tell Jemmeh, S of Gaza. These furnaces were equipped with large mud-brick flues designed to lead air into the fire chamber. Clay crucibles containing copper were set on top of the stone tiles that were placed on the ashes of the fire inside the furnace.

Daniel’s three faithful Hebrew companions were thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to bow down before the golden image the king had erected. (Dan. chap. 3) Whether this was a special furnace constructed for such purpose or whether it was a furnace normally used for other common purposes, the record does not state.

Figuratively, Egypt, which confined Israel in a harsh yoke of slavery, is compared to an iron furnace. (Deut. 4:20) Also, the outpouring of God’s anger upon the house of Israel is likened to the liquefying of metal in a furnace. (Ezek. 22:18-22) For other uses of the word for comparative or illustrative purposes, see Proverbs 17:3; 27:21; Psalm 12:6 (“smelting furnace”) .—See KILN; OVEN; REFINE, REFINER.