FILE.

FILE. The word occurs only once in the A.V. 1 Sam 13:21. The preceding verse is connected with it, and they are best rendered: "But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen [their tools] whenever there was bluntness of edge to their shares and coulters and prong-forks and axes, and to point their goads."

FILE. The word occurs only once in the A.V. 1 Sam 13:21. The preceding verse is connected with it, and they are best rendered: "But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen [their tools] whenever there was bluntness of edge to their shares and coulters and prong-forks and axes, and to point their goads." FIRE was of course used for cooking and for warmth. We find reference to the latter use in Jer 36:22; Luke 22:55; John 18:18. See Fuel. A hearth with lighted wood or a pan with burning charcoal is mentioned in the passages specified as the sources of the heat. Fire was used in the service of God to consume the sacrifices partially or entirely. There may be a question whether Abel offered a burnt-sacrifice. Gen 4:4, but surely, from the time of Noah, fire was used with the sacrifices. The Mosaic law prescribes its use. Lev 1:7, and this burnt-altar fire was to be kept ever burning. Lev 6:9, Lev 6:13. Fire was the sign of the divine presence and acceptance. Thus, the heavenly fire which came down upon the altar of burnt-offering on the occasion of the first sacrifice after the giving of the Law, Lev 9:24, indicated Jehovah's gracious pleasure in the service. To the same end fire was sent in other instances, Jud 6:21; 1 Kgs 18:38; 1 Chr 21:26. Fire was used as a purifier. Num 31:22-23; cf. Zech 13:8-9. The victims slain for sin-offerings were afterward consumed by fire. Lev 4:12, Lev 4:21; Lev 6:30; Lev 16:27. The Nazarite marked the conclusion of his vow by shaving his head and casting the hair into the fire on the altar of burnt-offering. Num 6:18. It was forbidden by the Law to kindle a fire on the Sabbath, Ex 35:3; Num 15:32; but some maintain that the prohibition applies to the preparation, and not to the heating, of food. Consequently, by having the principal meal, which was always eaten in the evening, a little earlier on Friday and a little later on Saturday, the Jew could have a hot meal every day in the week. The law held him who wilfully or carelessly set fire to ripe or harvested fields on which the grain yet stood pecuniarily liable for damages. Ex 22:6. The punishment of death by fire was inflicted in early times. Jer 29:22; Dan 3:20-21. See Furnace. It is enjoined by the Law in the case of incest with a mother-in-law, and of unchastity on the part of the daughter of a priest. Lev 20:14; John 21:9. But it is reasonable to suppose that in both these cases the condemned were first killed by stoning or strangling, and then their bodies burnt. To fire the gates was one way of ending a siege. Jud 9:49, Jud 9:52. Fire is the comparison of intense love, Song 8:6; of the injuring tongue, Ps 120:4; Prov 16:27; Jas 3:5, and of godlessness, Isa 9:18. The anger of God burns as fire, Ps 79:5; Ps 89:46; Nah 1:6. His word is like fire, Jer 23:29. Yea, he himself is a consuming fire, Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29. The word is frequently used metaphorically. The "strange fire," Lev 10:1, is generally explained as common fire, not taken from the holy fire of the altar. But inasmuch as no express law forbade the burning of incense by ordinary fire, it is very probable that the offence consisted in presenting an incense-offering not commanded in the law in an improper, merely vainglorious spirit. The time and manner of the ofiering were "strange," not the fire.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. An orderly succession; a line; a row; as:

2. An orderly collection of papers, arranged in sequence or classified for preservation and reference; as, files of letters or of newspapers; this mail brings English files to the 15th instant.

3. The line, wire, or other contrivance, by which papers are put and kept in order. It is upon a file with the duke's other letters. Shak.

4. A roll or list. "A file of all the gentry." Shak.

5. Course of thought; thread of narration. [Obs.] Let me resume the file of my narration. Sir H. Wotton. File firing, the act of firing by file, or each file independently of others. -- File leader, the soldier at the front of any file, who covers and leads those in rear of him. -- File marching, the marching of a line two deep, when faced to the right or left, so that the front and rear rank march side by side. Brande & C. --Indian file, or Single file, a line of men marching one behind another; a single row. -- On file, preserved in an orderly collection. -- Rank and file. (a) The body of soldiers constituing the mass of an army, including corporals and privates. Wilhelm. (b) Those who constitute the bulk or working members of a party, society, etc., in distinction from the leaders.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A steel instrument, having cutting ridges or teeth, made by indentation with a chisel, used for abrading or smoothing other substances, as metals, wood, etc.

2. Anything employed to smooth, polish, or rasp, literally or figuratively. Mock the nice touches of the critic's file. Akenside.

3. A shrewd or artful person. [Slang] Fielding. Will is an old file spite of his smooth face. Thackeray. Bastard file, Cross file, etc. See under Bastard, Cross, etc. -- Cross-cut file, a file having two sets of teeth crossing obliquely. -- File blank, a steel blank shaped and ground ready for cutting to form a file. -- File cutter, a maker of files. -- Second-cut file, a file having teeth of a grade next finer than bastard. -- Single-cut file, a file having only one set of parallel teeth; a float. -- Smooth file, a file having teeth so fine as to make an almost smooth surface.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To set in order; to arrange, or lay away, esp. as papers in a methodical manner for preservation and reverence; to place on file; to insert in its proper place in an arranged body of papers. I would have my several courses and my dishes well filed. Beau. & Fl.

2. To bring before a court or legislative body by presenting proper papers in a regular way; as, to file a petition or bill. Burrill.

3. To put upon the files or among the records of a court; to note on (a paper) the fact date of its reception in court. To file a paper, on the part of a party, is to place it in the official custody of the clerk. To file, on the part of the clerk, is to indorse upon the paper the date of its reception, and retain it in his office, subject to inspection by whomsoever it may concern. Burrill.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To march in a file or line, as soldiers, not abreast, but one after another; -- generally with off. To file with, to follow closely, as one soldier after another in file; to keep pace. My endeavors Have ever come too short of my desires, Yet filed with my abilities. Shak.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To rub, smooth, or cut away, with a file; to sharpen with a file; as, to file a saw or a tooth.

2. To smooth or polish as with a file. Shak. File your tongue to a little more courtesy.Sir W.Scott.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To make f [Obs.] All his hairy breast with blood was filed.Spenser. For Banquo's issue have I filed mind.Shak.